LAKE JAMES STATE PARK, NC (October 17, 2016)…On September 24, 2016 Troops 2020 and 12248 traveled to Lake James State Park to complete work on the Junior Ranger badge. The Junior Ranger program, offered through North Carolina State parks is designed to educate students to take care of the park’s natural resources. It teaches students the importance of plants, wildlife, and clean water as part of a stable natural ecosystem. While at the park the girls completed five activities, two of which were conducted by Park Ranger Kevin Bishop. The activities included a water program where the girls explored Paddy’s Creek and investigated the temperature and pH of the stream, while also collecting water critters to determine whether the stream was healthy or unhealthy based on their data. The second program conducted by Ranger Bishop involved an amphibian and reptile hike through the forest. The girls learned the difference between the two types of animals and discussed the importance they play in the ecosystem. Each girl was given the opportunity to handle both a toad and corn snake during their exploration in the woods. The final three activities were not guided by Ranger Bishop, however the girls did interview him to find out more about the career of a park ranger. They also went on a senses hike where they looked at food chains, listened for crickets and other insects buzzing, examined how spiders engineered webs and birds built nests, touched feathers, trees, and rocks, and smelled different types of soil. The final activity the girls conducted to earn the Junior Ranger badge was to carry out a stewardship project in which they picked up trash to help keep the park clean and enjoyable for all visitors and help ensure that animals have healthy environments to build their homes. The troop leaders Amy Bradley and Julie Howell decided to take their girls on this trip to help get the girls excited about the new Outdoor badge program offered by Girl Scouts of America. The leaders used these activities to engage their troop in what the great outdoors have to offer and why we should protect our natural resources.
