Junior Naturalist Program
The Junior Naturalist Program was conceived in 1997 for campgrounds participating in the Nature Recreation Program, then expanded to satellite campgrounds in 1998. The Junior Naturalist Program gives children the opportunity to test their environmental knowledge while teaching them more about New York State's environment.
1997 Patch Depicting the Loon
How It Works
Children five through twelve years old can request a Junior Naturalist Journal at participating campgrounds. The journal is separated in to two sections: one for the younger children (5-8 years old) and one for the older children (9 and up). Activities for younger children are usually marked by an acorn surrounding the page number, where as an oak tree designates activities for the older children. Also, older children should attempt all of the activities in the journal. The journal can be filled in by using the activities as family activities or with someone helping the child. When the journal is completed, children bring it to the appropriate DEC staff person who reviews the journal then gives the child a Junior Naturalist patch.
The Journal
1998 Patch Depicting the Beaver
The colorful activity book of the Junior Naturalist Program, referred to as the Junior Naturalist Journal, is designed for children five to twelve years old. Yet it also contains helpful hints to make the completion of the book a family affair. There are also tips at the beginning on how parents and older siblings can learn from the book as well as the younger children.
1999 Patch Depicting the Blue Bird
The last activity, to be done by all children, regardless of their age, is a reflection activity. This reflection activity allows the children- and adults!- to think back on their stay at the campground and remember some of the new things they learned as well as the things they loved about the trip.
2000 Patch Depicting the Sugar Maple
Activities in the Journal
Recurring activities in the journals are a bingo game and a checklist of some sort- whether it is a species checklist to keep tract of what the children see and learn to identify or a list of things found on a nature hike using all the letters of the alphabet. Bingo subjects include insects as well as sensory items. Also included is an activity focused on the Forest Preserve and facts about a specific state symbol such as the lady bug or the eastern bluebird (NYS's state insect and state bird respectively).
2001 Patch Depicting the Lady Bug
The Patch
After the journal is completed, the child brings it to the appropriate DEC Campground staff person and receives their Junior Naturalist patch. This colorful patch, different each year, depicts the child as a Junior Naturalist- someone who studies natural history. It is the perfect keepsake for the camping trip they have enjoyed so much!
JNP Participating Facilities*
Region 3 New Paltz: Beaverkill, Kenneth L. Wilson, Mongaup Pond, Woodland Valley
Region 4 Schenectady: Bear Spring Mountain, Devil's Tombstone, Little Pond, North-South Lake
2002 Patch Depicting the Brook Trout
Region 5 Northville: Caroga Lake, Little Sand Point, Moffitt Beach, Northampton Beach, Sacandaga
Region 5 Warrensburg: Eagle Point, Glen Island, Hearthstone Point, Luzerne, Rogers Rock, Scaroon Manor
Region 5 Ray Brook: Ausable Point, Buck Pond, Fish Creek Pond, Lake Eaton, Lake Harris, Lincoln Pond, Meacham Lake, Paradox Lake, Putnam Pond, Rollins Pond, Sharp Bridge, Taylor Pond
Region 5 Indian Lake: Brown Tract Pond, Eighth Lake, Forked Lake, Golden Beach, Indian Lake Islands, Lake Durant, Lewey Lake, Limekiln Lake
Region 6 Potsdam: Cranberry Lake
Region 6 Herkimer: Nicks Lake
*Please note that participating facilities are subject to change. For further details contact the specific campground.
2003 Patch Depicting Garnet
2004 Patch Depicting the Eagle
2005 Patch Depicting the Beaver
2006 Patch Depicting the Black Bear
