Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

National Historic Site

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Capital Parks-East

Washington, DC

Junior Ranger 

Activity Book

Ages 7—12
Page 1

What’s a Junior Ranger?

Junior rangers are very important to the National Park Service. 

They are young people, just like you, who help park rangers 

protect the national parks for future generations. A junior ranger 

learns about their national parks and helps educate others. Junior 

rangers also set a good example to other visitors and inspire 

others to learn about the national parks.

How to Become a Junior Ranger?

Complete at least seven activities in 

this junior ranger book. Some of the 

activities need to be completed at 

the Mary McLeod Bethune Council 

House National Historic Site. These 

activities are marked with a house in 

the top right corner of the page. 

Once you have completed your activities, present your junior 

ranger book to a park ranger to receive your certificate and junior 

ranger badge. You can also mail your completed junior ranger 

book to:

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

National Historic Site

1318 Vermont Ave., N.W.

Washington, DC 20005
Page 2

Did you know?

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved 

legislation to create the National Park Service. The National Park 

Service is a government organization under the U.S. Department 

of the Interior. The mission of the National Park Service is to 

preserve and protect America’s natural and cultural resources for 

future generations. 

Have you ever visited a National Park? If so, you’ve probably seen 

this symbol:

As you have already learned, 

the National Park Service 

protects America’s natural and 

cultural resources. By 

looking at the National Park 

Service arrowhead, can you 

guess what some of those 

resources are?
Page 3

Who was Mary McLeod Bethune?

Fill in the blanks from the word bank to complete Mrs. Bethune’s biography.

 Word Bank:

education slaves civil rights Franklin Delano Roosevelt 1955

love activist Bethune-Cookman College African Americans 

Reconstruction equality NCNW National Park Service

Mary McLeod Bethune demonstrated the value of __________, a 

philosophy of universal __________, and the wise and consistent 

use of political power in striving for racial and gender __________. 

The daughter of former __________, Bethune grew up amidst 

poverty and oppression in the __________ South, yet rose to 

prominence as an educator, presidential advisor, and political 

__________. Through her own schooling by missionaries in South 

Carolina, Bethune recognized the importance of education in the 

emerging struggle for __________. In 1904 she founded the 

Daytona Educational and Industrial School for Negro Girls in 

Daytona Beach, Florida, which later merged with the Cookman 

Institute to become __________. 

In 1935, Bethune moved to Washington, DC to work for President __________. While in Washington, she founded the National 

Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and established their 

headquarters at 1318 Vermont Avenue in 1943. Mary McLeod 

Bethune and the __________ worked tirelessly to influence 

legislation affecting __________ and women. Bethune 

continued to be an important voice for human rights until her 

death in __________ at the age of 79. Today, 1318 Vermont Avenue 

is a National Historic Site administered by the _________________.
Page 4

Around the World

Mary McLeod Bethune fought the injustices of racial and gender 

inequality not just in the United States, but around the world. The 

National Council of Negro Women worked with women from 

India, Japan, and countries in Africa and the Caribbean. 

Can you name the countries these flags are from?

Match the correct letter to the flag.

A) India B) Haiti C) Jamaica D) Japan E) Canada F) Liberia
Page 5

Word Search

Find the words below. Words can be forward, backward, up, down, and diagonal.

Adviser

Roosevelt

NCNW

Florida

Educator

Activist

Leader

Truman

Washington

Equality
Page 6

Famous Women in History

Unscramble the names of these famous women.

1) OSRA AKPSR 

 _______________ _______________

2) NEREAOL LVOSEROTE

 _______________ _______________

3) INEANN NEEHL SUGORUBHR

________ ________ _______________

4) OHRDTOY EIHTGH

 _______________ _______________

5) YMRA HUCRHC EERLTLR

 __________ __________ __________

6) AYMR DCOELM EHTBNUE

 __________ __________ __________

7) GGEIMA EKWALR

 _______________ _______________

8) RTTCHLEOA WAKHINS RBNOW

_______________ __________ _________

Rosa Parks

Eleanor Roosevelt Nannie Helen Burroughs

Dorothy Height

Mary Church Terrell Mary McLeod Bethune

Maggie Walker

Charlotte Hawkins Brown

Mary McLeod Bethune was a mentor and influenced many young 

women. She also had influences of her own. The women highlighted below made significant contributions to our society, so that we 

can have a better future.
Page 7

Acrostic Fun!

An acrostic poem uses the letters in a topic word to begin each 

line. Using the letters below, write words or phrases to describe 

Mary McLeod Bethune. Use what you’ve learned so far and your 

imagination. All answers are welcomed!

E ____________________

D ____________________

U ____________________

C ____________________

A ____________________

T ____________________

I ____________________

O ____________________

N ____________________

Mary McLeod Bethune with her students, 

Daytona Beach, FL, c. 1904.

Mary McLeod Bethune’s school became a 

fully accredited university in 2007.
Page 8

Bethune in Washington, DC

While in Washington, DC, Mary McLeod Bethune was very busy 

with important meetings and appointments. She often visited the 

White House, gave speeches at the Department of Labor and the 

Willard Hotel, and met with dignitaries at the NCNW 

Headquarters. 

Help Mary McLeod Bethune get to her important meeting at the 

White House by solving the maze below.

Finish

Start
Page 9

Bethune’s Legacy Code

Decode the message below. Match the numbers to the letters and fill in the blanks.

Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy can be remembered at the Mary 

McLeod Bethune Memorial in Lincoln Park, Washington, DC. 

Dedicated in 1974, it was the first memorial commemorating a 

woman and African American on DC public lands.

The etchings on the memorial include quotes from Mary McLeod 

Bethune’s “Last Will and Testament.” 

The Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial, 

Lincoln Park, Washington, DC.

“I leave you love; 

I leave you hope; 

I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in 

one another; 

I leave you a thirst for education; 

I leave you respect for the uses of power;

I leave you faith; 

I leave you racial dignity; 

I leave you a desire to live harmoniously with your 

fellow men; 

I leave you, finally, a responsibility to our young 

people.”

Bethune’s Legacy Code:

A=26 H=19 O=12 V=5 B=25 I=18 P=11 W=4 C=24 J=17

Q=10 X=3 D=23 K=16 R=9 Y=2 E=22 L=15 S=8 Z=1 F=21 

M=14 T=7 G=20 N=13 U=6

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.

 18 15 22 26 5 22 2 12 6 15 12 5 22
Page 10

Scavenger Hunt

Look for the answers to the questions below by visiting the Mary 

McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. Listen to 

the Park Ranger. They will give you hints during the tour.

1. How many flags are on top of the piano? ______________________

2. What two rooms have fireplaces? _____________________________

3. What was Mary’s maiden name? ______________________________

4. How many elephants can you find? ____________________________

5. Where is the portrait of Mrs. Bethune? _________________________

6. Who was Bethune’s famous friend and neighbor?

 __________________________________________________________

7. How many doors are in the Secretary’s Office? _________________

8. What pieces of technology are on Bethune’s desk?

 ___________________________________________________________

9. Name the two presidents Bethune worked for.

 ___________________________________________________________

10. What is this building and where is it located?

 __________________________________________________________
Page 11

Crossword Puzzle

Using the clues below, fill in the answers. Use a pencil to easily erase mistakes.

Across

4. Name of the street where the Council House is 

located

6. City in Florida where Bethune founded her school

7. Name of the neighborhood where the Council 

House is located

11. Name of Bethune’s husband

12. Name of the room where the NCNW entertained 

guests

Down:

1. What was Bethune’s favorite animal?

2. How many girls were in the first class at Bethune’s 

school?

3. Name of the University Bethune founded

5. The organization Bethune founded

8. How many children did Bethune have?

9. Where did Bethune want to be a missionary?

10. Bethune’s middle name

Clues:
Page 12

Which Room is Which?

The NCNW Headquarters, affectionately known as the “Council 

House,” was a busy place with many rooms. Each room served a 

specific purpose and function. As you tour the house, pay 

attention to which room is which. Draw a line to match the name 

of the room with the picture.

Bethune’s

Bedroom

Bethune’s

Office

Secretary’s

Office

The

Parlor
Page 13

The Opinion Column

In the spring of 1940, Mary McLeod Bethune’s NCNW 

introduced the first issue of the “Aframerican Woman’s Journal.” 

The quarterly magazine was edited by prominent NCNW 

member, Sue Bailey Thurman. The publication focused its 

attention on current events, important issues, and NCNW 

programming to help affect change in the lives of African 

American women in their struggle for civil rights.

We want to hear from you! Answer the questions below with your own thoughts.

An issue of the 

“Aframerican Woman’s Journal,” 1943.

What qualities are essential for being a great 

leader? _______________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

What are some of your goals? How will you achieve those goals?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
Place Passport Stamp Here

Congratulations!

You are an official

Junior Ranger

This certifies that

pledges to explore, learn, and protect 

America’s National Parks.

Park Ranger Signature Date
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A TM