Jr Rangers, an adventure for all ages at Arizona State Parks
By Julie Anne Phillipps
As parks and recreation professionals, we accept a tremendous challenge when we design programs for children. We live in a world where television, computers, and video games seem to dominate children’s play hours. Arizona State Parks (ASP) may have a program to tempt children and adults into the outdoors.
“They need to change the name of the program – Jr. Rangers – at first it was embarrassing,” said Ron Steffen, APRA member and maintenance personnel with Scottsdale Parks & Recreation. As a native Arizonian, Ron’s enthusiasm for our state’s wilderness and recreation areas grew with each family camping and fishing trip, so it comes as no surprise he would pursue a career in parks.
“Of course --Big Rangers wouldn’t be any better,” added Ron with a laugh and a shrug.
Three years ago, while visiting Kartchner Caverns State Park, Ron joined in the Junior Ranger activities and soon accepted a Park Ranger’s challenge to visit all 30 state parks to earn the junior ranger buttons. A spontaneous adventurer Ron easily accepted the ranger’s challenge.
After four visits, he claims Kartchner Cavern State Park as his favorite park, and looks forward to the Big Room opening in the fall. He also plans to visit the newest State Park, San Rafael historic ranch, and natural area when it opens to the public.
“I visited some parks I wouldn’t have thought of” in pursuit of the Jr. Ranger buttons, added Ron. His experience with ASP’s Jr. Ranger program convinced him the program offers an excellent way to teach children to think about other people. Junior Rangers pledge to do their part to help preserve the beauty of the park for everyone to enjoy. For this reason, every State Park includes collecting litter in its Jr. Ranger program.
“A clean park is what everybody deserves, said Ron.
All the State Parks participate in the Jr. Ranger program with activities targeted to children from age six to age twelve. The park rangers gladly accommodate parents’ assistance as well as visitors like Ron who express a desire to participate. Each Jr. Ranger project highlights the special attributes of the specific State Park.
Junior Rangers at Red Rock State Park learn to identify animals by their tracks, plants by leaf formations, and the importance of protecting the environment by learning about the earth’s water cycle. At Oracle State Park Environmental Center for Education, Ron participated in a sensory awareness program in an entirely hands-on walk through the park, where he unearthed clues about by using his sense of sight, touch, and smell. In addition to preserving the beauty of the parks, many of the State Parks preserve Arizona history for tomorrow adventure seekers.
Participants in the Jr. Rangers learn Arizona history through activities such cracking the safe at Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, hunting for hidden objects at Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, or running through a "petroglyph maze" at Lyman Lake State Park.
Riordan Mansion State Historic Park became one of Ron’s favorite stops a recent visit. Unlike most buildings that still survive after several generations, Riordan Mansion remains pristine and unaltered from its original form. The mansion’s original artifacts, handcrafted furniture, and personal mementos that display Tim Riordan’s independent style and purpose impressed Ron.
The park abounds with examples of Tim’s fascination with novelties and modern conveniences. From the green wicker swing in front of the fireplace that servants turned to face the window in the summer and football-shaped table in the dining room to facilitate conversations, as well as a light well in the center of the house to circulate air the mansion displays a history of innovation.
“You get the feeling the servants were lucky to work there because of all the modern conveniences,” said Ron. His appreciation also extends to the first owner of the Douglas Mansion at Jerome State Historic Park, whose pioneering resourcefulness stands out even today.
“He [Douglas] needed lumber -- he opened a sawmill. When he needed adobe bricks -- he had them constructed locally,” said Ron.
“We’re lucky that the revenue from scratch tickets go to the heritage fund,” said Ron. The Heritage Fund supports land acquisition and development of facilities for outdoor recreation as well as historic preservation efforts and as other community support projects throughout Arizona. Many of the special events at the parks happen through partnerships with the community.
Ron, with a group of friends, attended Fool Hollow State Park’s National Fishing Day event with state walleye record holder and pro-angler Gregg Munck. Although Ron enjoyed Gregg’s presentation on trout and walleye fishing, the giveaways from sponsors (Popular Outfitters, Arizona Game & Fish, the US Forest Service and more) such as tackle boxes, coolers were perhaps the more memorable along with the free hot dogs and soda served by park volunteers.
Ron’s passion for our state’s wilderness and recreation areas increased when he took the challenge to visit all 30 State Parks.
“I think every state employee ought to visit very State Park,” said Ron for those ready to accept the challenge, and leave modern technology behind.