State Parks Offer Scholarships Through Junior Ranger Program

If your kids enjoy the outdoors, here's a great way to let them have fun, and perhaps win a college scholarship at the same time.

Florida State Parks and the Florida Prepaid College program are partnering to encourage families to get outside and explore Florida's award-winning state parks through the Junior Ranger Program as well as prepare for their little ranger's future with a risk-free college savings plan.

As part of the promotion, ten Florida children will receive a 1-Year Florida University Plan college scholarship valued at approximately $7,000 and a Junior Ranger gift pack. Twenty-five others chosen as runners-up will receive a Junior Ranger gift pack.

Participating local area parks include Lake Kissimmee State Park, Payne's Creek Historic State Park, and Highlands Hammock State Park.

The Florida State Parks Junior Ranger Program provides the opportunity for young people to learn, serve and share Florida's natural and cultural resources. You can either participate in a scheduled park program or do it self-guided in the park.

Even if you're not at the park, you can do the Virtual Junior Ranger from anywhere. Junior Ranger materials are also available en Espanol.

Virtual Junior Ranger Badge

• Visit any participating Florida State Park and ask for a Junior Ranger Kit.

•Take the Junior Ranger Pledge and receive your member ID card and Official Junior Ranger Badge.

•Complete the six CORE Activities from the kit.

•Turn in the six CORE Activities to park staff to receive your Official Junior Ranger Patch!

•Complete more activities to earn stamps in your PASSPORT!

•Turn in your completed PASSPORT to receive your Official Junior Ranger Pin!

Remember, being a Junior Ranger means more fun with family and friends.

Where You Can Find the Junior Ranger Program

Participating Florida State Parks are found throughout the state. We also offer a complete list of participating parks.

Even if you're not at the park, you can do the Virtual Junior Ranger from anywhere.

Complete Junior Ranger Activities

You will receive stamps from park staff in your PASSPORT for completed activities. You also will learn important aspects about protecting Florida State Parks and will become eligible for Junior Ranger rewards such as patches, badges and pins.

If you wish to have your materials ready before visiting a park, Junior Ranger activities are available for download and printing. You can even download and print your very own PASSPORT using the links below:

Junior Ranger CORE Activities.

Junior Ranger PASSPORT.