This book belongs to:___________________________________________

Junior Ranger

Activity Book

Discovering the 

Underground Railroad
Parents and teachers are encouraged to talk to children about the Underground Railroad and the 

materials presented in this booklet. 

After carefully reading through the information, test your knowledge of the Underground Railroad with the activities throughout the book. When you are done, ask yourself what you have 

learned about the people, places, and history of this unique yet difficult period of American 

history?

 Junior Rangers ages 5 to 6, check here and complete at least 3 activities.

 Junior Rangers ages 7 to 10, check here and complete at least 6 activities.

 Junior Rangers ages 10 and older, check here and complete 10 activities.

To receive your Junior Ranger Badge, complete the activities and then send the booklet to our 

Omaha office at the address below. A ranger will go over your answers and then return your 

booklet along with an official Junior Ranger Badge for your efforts. Please include your name, 

age, and mailing address where you would like your Junior Ranger Badge to be sent.

National Park Service

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

1234 Market Street, 20th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19107

For additional information on the Underground Railroad, please visit our website at 

http://www.nps.gov/ugrr

This booklet was produced by the National Park Service Southeast Region, Atlanta, Georgia
Write about what “Freedom” means to you.

To Be Free
“To be a slave. To be owned by another person, as a car, house, or table is owned. To live as a 

piece of property that could be sold -- a child sold from its mother, a wife from her husband.”

Julius Lester, author of “To Be a Slave”

The common thread binding all enslaved people was the fact that they had no legal rights. 

Slaves were considered property which could be bought and sold at anytime.

Slaves could not own property. 

By law, it was illegal to teach a slave to read and write. 

Slaves could not legally marry. 

Slaves had no rights over their children.

Slaves could not worship as they chose. 

Slaves could not come and go as they chose to do so.

The Underground Railroad provided the means by which an enslaved person could reach his/

her dream of freedom and all the possibilities that came with it.

The “Underground Railroad” is not actually a train operating along hidden railroad tracks. 

Instead, it refers to an idea. The Underground Railroad refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom through escape and flight—and the assistance of people 

who opposed slavery and willingly chose to help them to escape—through the end of the U.S. 

Civil War. 

Enslaved African Americans chose to escape because they desired their freedom, regardless 

of whether their slave master was nice or mean. Wherever slavery existed, enslaved persons 

escaped, at first, to maroon communities in rugged terrain away from settled areas, and later 

across state and international borders. Enslaved African Americans who chose to resist slavery by running away were called fugitive slaves, but can more accurately be called Freedom 

Seekers. 

The risks during escape were great and the consequences if caught were severe, not only for 

Freedom Seekers, but for anyone providing them assistance.

Slavery and the Importance of the 

Underground Railroad

What was the Underground Railroad?
Enslaved people endured many hardships as the “property” of another person:

Many slaves worked from sunrise till sunset, resting only during meal times.

Slaves received no pay.

Slaves could not go anywhere without permission from the “master”.

Slave children began working usually by six years old.

Slaves were punished often for even the simplest of reasons.

Slaves often had little to eat and few clothes to wear.

Slaves were not allowed to choose their own job.

Though restricted and degraded in every way, the undying hope for freedom and the spirit and 

involvement of the extended family became the survival tool for many enslaved persons. It was 

also this very family which made the decision to run away a difficult one. Escaping did not 

guarantee freedom, but it often did mean leaving behind family and friends.

Draw or Write: 

Two ways that your life is different from that of an enslaved person. 

Day-to-Day Life
Escape routes over land spread out like a tangled web throughout the United States, into Canada, and Mexico. Other routes were traveled by water to northern coastal cities, south towards 

the Caribbean, or west towards the coast of California, Alaska or Hawaii.

Slave States 

Free States and Territories

Territories Open to Slavery

Jamaica

Cuba

Atlantic 

 Ocean

Pacific 

 Ocean

Mexico

Canada

Indian 

Territory

Bahamas

 Islands

Puerto

 Rico

Haiti

New Mexico 

Territory

Kansas

 Territory

Nebraska 

 Territory

Utah Territory

Oregon

Territory

Washington

Territory

VA

KY

TN NC

MO

IA

WI

MN

TX

CA

SC

FL

GA

AR

MS

AL

LA

ME

NY

PA

IN OH IL

VT

MD

CT

RI

MA

NH

MI

CIRCLE one Slave State listed on the map below. 

Draw ARROWS from the state you circled showing the many 

escape routes to a Free State or Territory.

Although many states and territories had banned slavery by 1860, freedom seekers who had escaped to 

free states and territories could be captured by slave catchers and returned to slavery because of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. After the 1850 Act, many freedom seekers in free states were forced to continue their escape to countries outside the United States.

Put a STAR in the state where you live. 

Draw an ARROW of the route you would use to escape slavery after 1850.

Travel Routes

United States-1860

NJ

 DC
Bridget “Biddy” Mason was brought to California by her owner, John 

Smith, in 1851. Because California was a free state, Smith tried to convince 

his slaves that they would be free if they moved to Texas (a slave state). 

Biddy doubted his truthfulness and sought help from the local free black 

community. Smith’s slaves were placed in protective custody and in 1856, 

a judge ruled in favor of Biddy, and she and her children were freed.

Eliza Harris was enslaved on a plantation near Dover, Kentucky, 10 miles south of the Ohio 

River, when she learned that she was to be sold to another plantation. Hoping to find the Ohio 

River frozen, Eliza took her youngest child and escaped. Upon reaching the river the next 

morning, she found that the ice on the river had broken up. Hearing the dogs on her trail, Eliza 

and her child took a final chance and jumping from ice flow to ice flow they made their way 

across the river and disappeared along the Underground Railroad.

William and Ellen Craft, two slaves from Savannah, Georgia 

made their remarkable escape to Philadelphia in plain view by 

steamer and railroad. Ellen, who was light skinned, disguised herself as a young gentleman in ill health seeking medical treatment. 

Her husband William traveled as the attentive slave to his 

“master”. Overcoming many obstacles along the way, William 

and Ellen arrived in Philadelphia where they were fed, clothed and 

housed by a Quaker family before moving on to Boston and then 

finally to England.

Harry Grimes was born into slavery in North Carolina and sold for the first time at the age of 

3. Though his early years of bondage were not easy, it was his third ruthless and violent master who led to Harry’s escape. On this occasion, his

master felt that Harry had not done enough work and after a violent confrontation, set the dogs after him. Fortunately, Harry had befriended the

dogs and they would not follow him, thus allowing time to escape. He

sought refuge within the woods, where he lived for the next 7 months in a

hollow poplar tree. Harry spent a couple more months living in a cave

before reaching freedom.

Freedom Seekers of the Underground Railroad

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland. As an enslaved servant in Baltimore, the lady of the house secretly began to 

teach Frederick to read and write. When his “master” found out and 

forbid it, Frederick taught himself. Upon his owner’s death, he was 

sent to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to work in the fields. By age 

21, Frederick escaped to New York disguised as a sailor. Over the 

years, he made numerous speeches against slavery and became a nationally known abolitionist and champion of women’s rights. In 1845, 

Frederick published Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and in 

1847 began publishing his newspaper The North Star.

For more stories, visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/ugrr
 Elijah Marrs—Enslaved in Shelby County, Kentucky, Marrs escaped to Louisville with

a total of 27 men. He then enlisted in the 12th US Colored Heavy Artillery at Camp Nelson

on September 1864. In his memoirs Marrs wrote: "...by eight o'clock we were in the recruiting office in the city of Louisville. ...By twelve o'clock the owner of every man of us

was in the city hunting his slaves, but we had all enlisted save one boy who was considered

too young."

 William Henry Singleton—Singleton made several runaway attempts. Before the successful escape, he became an enslaved servant to a Confederate officer in North Carolina

and learned a lot of information about the Confederate troop movements. Singleton eventually ran away to New Bern and found a job as servant to Union Colonel Leggett of the 19th

Connecticut Regiment. Using the information he learned during his time as a Confederate

army servant, Singleton guided Union troops to attack the Confederates at Wives Fork,

North Carolina. He next helped to form 1st North Carolina Colored Troops, later called 35th

USCT.

 Samuel Bolton [Ballton]—Born in l838, Bolton worked in the plantation fields. He

escaped to the Union army in Fredericksburg, Virginia, while working on the Virginia Central Railroad for his master. As Union “contraband”, Bolton became a cook for the 6th Wisconsin Regiment. After earning money, he returned twice to the plantation to rescue his

wife. On his first trip, Bolton could not escape with her but did take three others with him.

On the second try, he led his wife and three more to Fredericksburg. Bolton then enlisted in

the Union Army in Boston in 1864.

Freedom Seekers in the U.S. Civil War

Many African Americans who escaped slavery joined the Union Army and Navy during the Civil 

War to fight against the Confederate States and to permanently abolish slavery. African American 

troops in the Union Army were called United States Colored Troops or USCTs. 
Imagine that you are an enslaved person getting ready for your escape to freedom. The journey 

may be long and hard. You will need supplies to make a successful escape. 

CIRCLE the items you will take with you. Please explain why you chose these items.

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Can you name anything else you might want to take along? _____________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Freedom Bag
The history of the Underground Railroad is a story of human courage, endurance and the belief 

of individual freedom. Due to the secretive nature of the railroad, it is unknown just how many 

freedom seekers attempted to escape or achieved a new life in freedom. Nor is it possible to 

document all of those individuals—sometimes called by the code name Conductors—who opposed slavery and risked their lives and well-being to assist freedom seekers in their journey to 

freedom. In fact, many freedom seekers became conductors too, once they escaped slavery. 

Here are stories of a few conductors along the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland. After learning that 

she was to be sold and separated from her husband, Harriet made her 

escape to freedom. Despite the high reward for her capture, she returned 

south numerous times and assisted many slaves to freedom. During the 

Civil War she served as a nurse, spy and scout for the Union Army. 

Tubman was known as one of the greatest “conductors” of the Underground Railroad.

Captain Jonathan Walker was an abolitionist in Pensacola, Florida. In 

1844, he attempted to rescue 7 slaves by transporting them across the 

ocean to the Bahamas. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Walker was 

caught, convicted and branded on the hand S.S. for “slave stealer”. He 

was jailed for 11 months until northern abolitionists provided payment 

for his release. 

“Conductors” Along the Underground Railroad

For more stories, visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/ugrr

Josiah Henson was born a slave in Charles County, Maryland. As a boy, 

Henson was sold to a farmer in Montgomery County, Maryland. As an 

adult, he was trusted enough by his owner to supervise other enslaved 

persons. In 1830, Henson used his new position to escape slavery with 

his wife and four children. They travelled the Underground Railroad by 

way of the Niagara River to Ontario. Henson worked on farms in Fort 

Erie and Waterloo to support his family. In 1834, Henson and several 

friends organized a black settlement on rented land that exported black 

walnut lumber to the U.S. and Britain.
Lewis Hayden was born into slavery in Lexington, Kentucky in 

1811. During 1844, Hayden escaped with his wife Harriet and son. 

Along the way, they were aided by Rev. Calvin Fairbanks, a white 

Methodist minister. Hayden was successful in his flight to freedom 

and became a prominent abolitionist that assisted many other enslaved people to freedom. In 1844, Fairbanks was captured, tried 

and sentenced to 15 years for aiding and abetting fugitive slaves. In 

1849, Hayden raised $600 as “ransom” payment for Fairbanks’ 

release.

For more stories, visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/ugrr

Levi and Catharine Coffin were Quakers, a religious 

order that strongly opposed the institution of slavery. 

Originally from North Carolina, the couple moved to 

Newport, Indiana in the early 1820s. During the 20 

years they lived in Indiana, they provided a safe haven for 

over 2,000 freedom seekers. Of all the slaves that they 

assisted, none of them failed to reach freedom. Levi was 

often referred to as the “President of the Underground Railroad.”

“Conductors” Along the Underground Railroad

William Still was born in Burlington County, New Jersey to former 

slaves. After working on his father’s farm until age 20, Still left home 

and moved to Philadelphia in 1844 where he worked as a handyman. In 

1847, he worked for the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society office doing 

janitorial work, sorting mail, and assisting the society’s executive director. 

During his time in Pennsylvania, Still recorded and maintained the accounts of assisting nearly 900 fugitive slaves. In 1872, he used these records to write a detailed and authentic book titled, The Underground Railroad.
Hiding places along the “Underground Railroad” varied as much as the escape 

routes. Safe-houses, churches, schools, businesses, as well as natural areas such 

as swamps, bayous, mountains, and waterways provided much needed protection 

throughout their journey. Freedom seekers sometimes escaped and found refuge 

with various American Indian tribes. For example, those freedom seekers traveling south towards the Spanish Territory of Florida found safety and protection 

within the Seminole Indian Nation.

CIRCLE places that might be a good hiding place for a freedom seeker.

Hay Field

Swamp

Corn Field

Lake Mountains

Safe Refuge
Name 2 dangers that might stop Eli from reaching Freedom. Why? ____________________ 

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Name 2 safe places for Eli to hide. Why?___________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Swamp

Confederate

 Soldiers

Tracking Dogs

River Crossing

Town

Safe House

Forests

Bad Weather Sheriff

Freedom

Freedom Line

Draw a route that our Freedom Seeker Eli can take to safely reach Freedom.

Remember, this is a secret journey and there are many dangers along the way. Read the stories of 

successful Freedom Seekers and Conductors on pages 5, 6, 8, and 9 to help you find your way.

Mountains

Corn Field

Eli
Underground Railroad Highlights

1693

Second edict of Spain granted sanctuary and freedom to escaped slaves from the British colonies (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) who reach the Spanish territory of Florida. 

1738

Fort Mose (Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose) established in St. Augustine, Florida and becomes the first European-sanctioned settlement of African-American freedom seekers in North 

America.

1817

U.S. Federal troops waged a war against Seminole Indians and freedom seekers in Florida..

1820

Levi Coffin began to establish long distance escape routes from North Carolina to Indiana.

1830s

As the railroads became popular and spread north across the states, railroad terms such as 

“conductors” became the coded language of the Underground Railroad.

1833

American Anti-Slavery Society was founded in Philadelphia.

1840s

Ripley, Ohio, along the Ohio River, becomes one of the most active centers of Underground 

Railroad activity.

1841

Josiah Henson-a fugitive slave from Maryland-established the Dawn Institute in Chatham Ontario, Canada whereby freedom seekers learned trades and to adjust to free society.

1850 Fugitive Slave Act

This Act permitted slaveholders to recapture and return escaped slaves to their masters. Freedom seekers who had fled to free states in the north and western territories were forced to continue their freedom journey to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.

1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act

This Act further divided the nation on the issue of slavery and helped to lead to the Civil War. 

The violent fight between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in “Bleeding” Kansas increased 

the tension that already existed in the United States.
Underground Railroad Highlights

1856

Dred Scott, an Illinois Freedom Seeker, sued to overturn the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, but 

lost his case.

In the Dred Scott Decision, the U.S. Supreme Court observed that American blacks were not 

citizens of the United States and “might justly and lawfully be reduced to slavery.” 

1861

In February, southern slave states formed the Confederate States of America and declared their 

secession from the United States of America

In April, South Carolina Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter and the Civil War began.

Union General Benjamin F. Butler declared escaped slaves at Fort Monroe, Virginia to be 

“contraband” and refused to return these freedom seekers to Confederate slaveholders.

Thousands of enslaved African Americans began escaping to the Union Army seeking freedom 

as Contraband.

1863 Emancipation Proclamation 

President Lincoln issued a statement that “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states 

“are, and hence forward shall be free.” Enslaved people in states and territories under Union 

Army control (West Virginia, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and the District of Columbia) were not declared free and they remained in slavery.

The Emancipation Proclamation did not actually free any slave, but it did change the course of 

the war. The Union Army and Navy officially accepted blacks into their ranks, and by the end 

of the war, approximately 209,000 black soldiers and sailors fought for the Union and for freedom.

1865 13th Amendment

This amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery throughout the United States and the 

Civil War ends.

Newly freed African Americans began to vote and hold elected offices in the U.S. Congress and 

state government. Congress establishes the Freedmen’s Bureau to aid African Americans.

1868 14th Amendment 

This amendment to the U.S. Constitution required states to provide equal protection to protect 

civil rights of former slaves.

1870 15th Amendment 

This amendment to the US. Constitution granted voting rights to all men regardless of race.
Amendment

Canada

Caribbean

Civil War

Confederate

Disguise

Enslaved

Escape

Florida

Fort Sumter

Freedom

History

Mexico

North Star

Plantation

Quakers

River

Secret

Slavery

Swamp

Underground Railroad

Union

F Y X M B U H Z C R H R S D N A X M D O

X R J Z V N H E Z T X W M C B D Y A T E

E W E Z H I S H D Q A C Q E F B O Y S B

F Y H E K O S I C M P U V C X R X I X L

O C P H D N C S P T A L Y A L I U Z O L

R U T I B O L T T K N Z A I D G C L O S

T A O R L Z M O E M S E A N S I B O H M

S N A E B B I R A C J R M I T P R P A V

U K K F K O S Y K Z D D D D P A D O N L

M R T J W N Q Z U N Z V O S N P T D L L

T A S E C R E T U X P Q X W O E G I R F

E W Z P Q K F O N A Z N P O Q I M I O C

R L R E V I R A G N O V A W A D A A R N

P I B B L G O L L R X T N Q D H X I P E

R V M X R F C T T S E F I F A D B W P V

Y I X E Y B E H R I V D L N N D T A C G

B C D A N O S O R A U J H C A C C B M X

O N A W G T E N S L A V E D C S G B U R

U U G V A Y R E V A L S Y D E A O X F L

Q D E R T C O N F E D E R A T E Y N I J

Road to Freedom
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

A person running away from slavery is called a ...

6 18 5 5 4 15 13 19 5 5 11 5 18

An enslaved person who escaped to the Union Army during the Civil War is called...

3 15 14 20 18 1 2 1 14 4

Glossary of Terms

5 13 1 14 3 9 16 1 20 5 4

To be free from confinement (i.e. slavery) is to be...

Match the numbers with the letters to find the answer.

1 13 5 14 4 13 5 14 20

A statement that formally changes or alters the U.S. Constitution is called an...

The term “_____” refers to a person held in control as human property of another person.

19 12 1 22 5

The term “________” refers to free people that were forced into slavery.

5 14 19 12 1 22 5 4
The first U.S. Census was completed in1790. At this 

time there were approximately 700,000 enslaved people 

in a nation of 3.9 million people.

Though all enslaved people desired their freedom, not all took the 

risks involved and escaped. For those who decided to stay, community relationships and religious life became their survival tools. 

In addition, many enslaved persons fought against slavery with 

work slowdowns, sabotage and sickness.

By the end of the Civil War, there were almost 209,000 black 

soldiers and sailors who chose to fight with the Union and 

ultimately win their freedom. These army units were called 

United States Colored Troops or USCTs.

The Underground Railroad is not actually a train that runs along hidden tracks. It’s an idea. Many code words used to identify escape 

activities, such as the term “conductor,” and even the name 

“Underground Railroad” came about in the early 1830s with the 

popularity of the Steam Engine Railroad.

Some of the best hiding places for freedom seekers were not hidden at all 

but out in the open. Some of the clever disguises included men dressing 

themselves as women, and women as men. In cities along the coast, freedom seekers may even have dressed as sailors. Or some, like Henry 

“Box” Brown, had themselves shipped in crates to free states. Others traveled through town carrying tools as though they were going to work or 

pretending to deliver messages and goods for their masters. 

On rainy, cloudy nights, freedom seekers often would find their way north 

by feeling for moss which is found on the northern side of tree trunks. On 

clear nights they could follow the Big Dipper or North Star. 

Did You Know...?
C W

P

C

S

U N N

C S

F

Q S

F

T

H

F

ACROSS

3. The “Underground Railroad” was a real railroad. “True” or “False”

5. A slave had no legal rights. “Truth” or “False”

6. Name an Indian Tribe that offered refuge to escaping slaves.

7. Southern states were referred to as the ________ states during the Civil War.

9. The actual number of slaves who found freedom is ___________.

12. Name a group of people that were very active in helping slaves to escape.

13. A destination to the north that many escaping slaves traveled to.

14. What war took place during the time of the Underground Railroad?

DOWN

1. A place where many slaves worked in the fields was called a ____________.

2. Name a famous “conductor” of the Underground Railroad.

4. Escaping slaves were called ____________.

8. In 1850, the _____________ Slave Act was passed.

10. When traveling at night, runaway slaves would follow the ______________.

11. Escaping slaves traveled mostly at _____________.

Underground Railroad
Imagine that you and your family are escaping to freedom along the Underground Railroad. 

Write a short entry about your journey. 

How did you travel, where did you go, and did anybody help you along the way? What type of difficulties did you have? Remember, your travels are a secret and you need to be clever so you don’t get 

caught! 

Read the stories of successful Freedom Seekers and Conductors on pages 5, 6, 8, and 9 to help you get 

ideas.

Journal Entry
What is the National Underground Railroad

Network to Freedom Program?

Recognizing that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression, the Underground Railroad sought to address the injustices of 

slavery and make freedom a reality in the United States. 

Mandated by Public Law 105-203 in 1998, the National Park Service commemorates 

and preserves this history through the National Underground Railroad Network to 

Freedom Program. The program educates the public about the importance of the 

Underground Railroad in the eradication of slavery, its relevance in fostering the 

spirit of racial harmony and national reconciliation, and the evolution of our national 

civil rights movement.

The National Park Service, through shared leadership with local, state and federal 

entities, as well as interested individuals and organizations, will:

 Promote programs and partnerships to commemorate

 Preserve sites and other resources associated with, and

 Educate the public about the historical significance of the

Underground Railroad.

How can I get Involved?

Individuals, organizations, state and local governments and federal agencies are invited to nominate sites, programs and facilities with a verifiable association with the 

Underground Railroad to the Network to Freedom. In addition, the public can visit 

most of the sites and facilities, and participate in the educational programs that are 

members of the Network to Freedom.

Please consult the Network to Freedom website for further information, 

http://www.nps.gov/ugrr
This certifies that 

__________________________________________ 

Has shown a willingness and interest to learn more about the history 

surrounding the Underground Railroad and has successfully completed the 

activities necessary to become a

Junior Ranger 

Junior Ranger Pledge

I promise to discover all I can about the Underground 

Railroad and to share my discoveries with others. 

I will do my part to help preserve the history of the 

Underground Railroad and carry on the legacy of not 

only enslaved people and freedom seekers, but also 

all those who fought hard for freedom throughout the 

United States.

Junior Ranger Motto

“Explore, Learn, Protect: Be A Junior Ranger.” 

Official Date