Silver Award Girl Scout, Bailey O'Rourke

Junior Ranger Program

Bailey has visited many National Parks and has enjoyed participating in their Junior Ranger programs. Bailey enjoys spending time at the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) near to where she resides, but observed that they didn’t have a Junior Ranger Program. After talking with park rangers at the MNWR and doing some research on her own, Bailey discovered that children who spend time outside are more confident and creative than their peers. So, Bailey decided that the best way to get more children outside and enjoying the refuge would be to develop a Junior Ranger Program.

Bailey spent many hours researching other Junior Ranger programs for ideas and inspiration on what to include in her program. With the help of her project advisor, one of the MNWR rangers, she created a 14 page Junior Ranger booklet that includes activities specific to the refuge. Once children have completed the activities, which demonstrate what they have learned about the refuge, they receive a Junior Ranger Certificate and Patch. Bailey worked with the St. Croix Regional Tech Center to assist with the design and printing of her book.

Baily also ensured that her project will continue for years to come by giving the refuge a flash drive of the book files so that they can print more copies and update her book as needed. Bailey says she is “excited for families and kids to use the booklets and visit Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.” When asked what she learned while doing her project, Bailey said “I learned to be more assertive and how to work with team members who might have different ideas than you. I learned that it’s ok to ask for help.”