Junior Ranger Day at Ulysses S. Grant NHS

Explore the many facets of the National Park Service on Saturday, April 21, 2012, as Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site celebrates National Junior Ranger Day. Junior Ranger Day activities will introduce children ages five through 14 to Civil War soldiers’ experiences based on four different National Park Service sites: Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee, Shiloh National Military Park in Tennessee, Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas, and Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis. Children who want to be Junior Rangers can enlist as a Civil War soldier, make Civil War crafts, draw maps, write letters using dip pens, and explore what makes national parks special.

 As a special bonus, the Missouri State Museum’s Cannon Crew will be on site with their air-powered cannon.  Junior Rangers and their families will get to experience what it would be like to be part of a Civil War cannon crew – complete with firing the cannon.

 Activities will start every 20 minutes beginning at 10 a.m., with the last group starting at 2 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The program is free, but groups of 10 or more are asked to make reservations by calling 314-842-1867 x230. Children who complete the day’s activities will receive special Junior Ranger Day patches and certificates in addition to a Ulysses S. Grant Junior Ranger badge.

 Junior Ranger Day is one of an ongoing series of special activities at this unit of the National Park Service, also known as White Haven. Ulysses S. Grant NHS is located at 7400 Grant Road in south St. Louis County. The park is open for regular visitation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.