7. August 21st – ASK AN EXPERT and GRADUATION at Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge. A special day to meet DCR staff members, ask questions and complete your activity guides before our Graduation Celebration! All participants should be present to receive their certificates and patches.
What is the Junior Ranger program?
Junior Rangers program is a fun way for children to get acquainted with the state parks and outdoor recreation skills, while discovering the natural and cultural resources of the region.
Over a seven-week period, a total of seven different program sessions will be led collaboratively by DCR Park Interpreters Bob Rando, Mike Whalen, Caroline Scully, Misa Chappell, Jennifer Rosenthal and Meshell Bordeleau. Children will participate in hikes, park projects, nature crafts, wildlife observation, navigational techniques and more!
The Junior Ranger program:
captures the imagination of young people through fun activities that grow future stewards of the environment. State park staff supervised. Junior Ranger activities promote outdoor recreation skills and an appreciation of the natural world with a different theme each week. Children must wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Sturdy walking shoes, water, a snack, sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Parents and/or guardians are required to participate.
Each 2025 Junior Ranger program session visits either Pittsfield State Forest, Mount Greylock State Reservation, Clarksburg State Park, or Savoy Mountain State Forest. For more information, please contact Mike Whalen at (413) 499-4262.
CONTACT INFORMATION for each participating park is listed below, along with the specific dates and locations for each of the seven Junior Ranger sessions. Junior Ranger sessions will run from 10am to 12 noon, except: Session 4 - Owl Prowl on July 31st will be an evening session (7pm-9pm).
Session #1 on July 10th and Session #7 on August 21st and will be held at: Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge.
1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (413) 442-8992 - Please call for directions.
Session #2 on July 17th and Session #4 on July 31st will be held at: Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA 01237
Session #6 on August 14th will be held at: Mount Greylock State Reservation Sperry Road Campground. Please call for meeting location and directions.
Phone: (413) 499-4262 - Please call for directions.
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Session #3 on July 24th will be held at: Clarksburg State Park Nature Center.
1199 Middle Road. Clarksburg, MA 01247
Phone: (413) 664-8345 - Please call for directions.
Session #5 on August 7th will be held at:
Savoy State Forest North Pond Day Use Area.
260 Central Shaft Road, Florida, MA 01247
Phone: (413) 663-8469 – Please call for directions.
SESSION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:
1. July 10th – INTRODUCTION TO JUNIOR RANGERS at Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge. Learn about the Junior Ranger program, participating parks, and how to complete activities to qualify for Junior Ranger patch and certificate. (mandatory session)
2. July 17th – FIND YOUR WAY at Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center. Discover ways to navigate outdoors while having fun exploring the wonders of nature. Learn tricks for identifying native plants and animals on a short hike.
3. July 24th – LIFE IN A BEAVER POND at Clarksburg State Park Nature Center. Discover the amazing life of an active beaver pond and become acquainted with many types of plants and animals as you explore a unique wetland community. Be prepared to get wet and muddy!
4. July 31st – OWL PROWL at Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center. Explore the mysterious Barred Owl and learn about its amazing nocturnal habits. Enjoy hands-on investigation like examining owl pellets and enjoy an evening forest walk. “Who cooks for you!” *Note: This program will be an evening session (7pm-9pm).
5. August 7th – GO WITH THE FLOW at Savoy State Forest Nature Center. Discover cool things about aquatic habitats while exploring North Pond. Identify plants, insects and amphibians as you learn how to safely handle and release them using nets. We may even talk about leeches!
6. August 14th – STORIES OF THE LAND at Mount Greylock State Reservation Campground. Become a CCC enrollee and explore, through role-playing, everyday life in a 1930s-Era conservation camp. Examine natural and cultural evidence of the forest through personal observation.
7. August 21st – ASK AN EXPERT and GRADUATION at Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge. A special day to meet DCR staff members, ask questions and complete your activity guides before our Graduation Celebration! All participants should be present to receive their certificates and patches.
You may also like the following events from Mount Greylock State Reservation:
Also check out other
Meetups in Pittsfield.
