The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
James A. Garfield site unveils map featuring Junior Ranger badges
James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor is inviting the public into its visitor center to see a unique map featuring Junior Ranger badges from National Park Service sites across the country.
Most NPS sites have a Junior Ranger program featuring activities specifically geared toward engaging children with nature and history, according to a news release. Kids completing the activities normally receive a badge or patch from each park.
During the coronavirus quarantine period in 2020, a family from Massachusetts contacted the Garfield National Historic Site about Junior Ranger programs. This family offered to help the site secure badges from other NPS sites throughout the United States.
Visitor Use Assistant Rebecca Hayward has been working with this family for over a year and has collected badges, stickers, and patches from over a hundred other sites, the release stated. These are now posted on a map in the visitor center auditorium.
“This has been a fun project, both for our staff and for the kids who do our Junior Ranger program,” said Site Manager Todd Arrington in the release. “Visitors who take a look at this map will be surprised how many NPS sites and Junior Ranger programs are out there waiting to be explored.”
Children who wish to participate in the Garfield National Historic Site’s Junior Ranger program can pick up a free activity book at the visitor center front desk.
The site, located at 8095 Mentor Ave., is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no fee to enter the visitor center and see the Junior Ranger map.
Those wishing to take a guided tour of the Garfield home must call the site at 440-255-8722 to make a reservation. Guided tours are the only way to see the inside of the Garfield home and are $10 per person for those 16 and over.