Junior Ranger Days in the Big Thicket

Kids ages 8 to 12 and their parents are invited to join us for Junior Ranger Days in Big Thicket National Preserve every Wednesday in July from 9 a.m. to noon. Each week, park rangers will lead fun hands-on activities focused on a variety of topics, from wildlife to wilderness survival. Be prepared to be outdoors with water, insect repellent, sunscreen, closed-toed athletic shoes, and clothes that can get dirty.

July 3: Fishing Fun

Learn about fishing, including casting, knot-tying, and fish identification, and create fish art to earn your Junior Angler certification.

July 10: Cryptic Critters

Learn about the lives and behaviors of often-overlooked wildlife that surround us in the Big Thicket.

July 17:  Wilderness Survival for Kids

Could you survive being lost in the outdoors? Learn the basics of staying safe in the outdoors on this 1.7-mile walk on the Kirby Nature Trail, followed by indoor activities. Meet at the Kirby Trailhead on FM 420, 2.5 miles east of the visitor center.

July 24: Wings over the Thicket

Experience what it’s like to be a bird searching for habitat, a bat hunting for insects, and more as we explore the world of flying animals in the Big Thicket.

July 31: Branching Out

You won’t beleaf all the interesting things we’ll learn about plants as we embark on a 1-mile walk on the Sundew Trail! Meet at the Sundew Trail on CR 1910, about 7 miles north of the visitor center, or at the visitor center at 8:30 a.m. to caravan to the trailhead.

All programs are free. Parents must remain with their children for the entirety of the program. Parents should be aware that these programs are specifically targeted to kids ages 8 to 12. Sibling, younger than 8 and older than 12 may not find these programs engaging. For more information, please visit the preserve’s website at nps.gov/bith/planyourvisit/calendar or call the Big Thicket National Preserve visitor center at 409-951-6700.

For general information about Big Thicket National Preserve, visit nps.gov/bith. Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/BigThicketNPS, Twitter twitter.com/BigThicketNPS, and Instagram instagram.com/BigThicketNPS.