A young boy shows the Junior Ranger bat patch he received for completing an activity book.
Contributed / Minnesota DNR
Lauren Peck remembers going on trips with her parents as a young girl and the fun she had working on activity books to help pass the time. The books taught her about the topics covered and gave her something to do on the long drives.
As an adult, she’s been able to give her nieces and nephews activity books to help them much the same way the tools once helped her. Books she gives away are the Junior Ranger publications from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, where Peck works as the communications specialist for its Parks and Trails division.
The books are great, she says, because they are fun, encompass several topics, and kids who complete the activities can receive a Junior Ranger patch. Now, instead of only one book, there are two to choose from, each geared for a different age group.
The DNR recently released the second book for young people ages 9 and up, which complements the department’s initial publication for those ages 6 and older and enhances the department's Junior Ranger program. Both activity books can be downloaded from the DNR website or picked up at most state parks.
