Fort Caroline National Memorial 

JUNIOR RANGER 
Welcome to Fort Caroline 

National Memorial! 

Fort Caroline National Memorial was established to tell the stories 

of the Timucua, French, and Spanish people who shaped history 

here. 

The rangers of Fort Caroline are excited to welcome you as our 

newest Junior Ranger. 

Getting Started 

To become a Junior Ranger: 

• Interview a Ranger or Volunteer, Attend a Ranger Talk, or 

write one thing you learned on the park website 

• Ages seven or younger complete four activities 

• Eight and up complete six activities 

Explore the park. 

Learn its history. 

Protect it for future generations. 

I interviewed ________________________

 Ranger/Volunteer 

I went to a Ranger Talk 

I learned ____________________________________________ 

_____________________________________from the website. 
A Timucuan World 

This land was home to Timucua speakers long before the French or Spanish arrived. 

The Mocama were the tribe of Timucuans in this area. What do you think attracted 

them to this region? Circle your answer. 

Fishing Access to the River Rich Forests Weather 

Flat Landscape Ocean Access to Trade Oysters 

Explain? 
One River, Many Names 

Salt Marsh Wildlife 

Match the people to their name for the river. 

 St. Johns River Timucua

Welaka British 

San Mateo French

River of May Spanish 

Many animals call the salt marsh and rivers in the preserve home. 

Circle five of animals that are commonly found in this habitat. 
Things I Saw on My Visit 

French Arrival 

Circle at least five things you have seen during your visit. 

French people, called Huguenots, 

wanted to make a colony here for 

many reasons. Some wanted wealth, 

others wanted to make a new home. 

Connect the dots to discover one of 

their homes during this period. 

Did You Know? 

The French had 

no computers for 

navigation, only the 

stars and tools like an 

armillary sphere. 
Timeline Activity 

Design the Fort 

The French chose a triangular shape for the layout 

of Fort Caroline. What layout would you design? 

Plan your fort. Make sure to include walls, barracks 

(soldier sleeping area), cannons, a gate and a bake 

oven. 

Many people have lived in the area around St. Johns Bluff. Write down in order 

the years Fort Caroline, the Town of St. Johns, the Spanish American fort, and the 

National Memorial were founded. 
Fill in the Blank 

Ribault Column Heraldry Activity 

Explore the visitor center and complete these sentences 

from the exhibits. 

The Timucuans revered _________________ for 

their special gifts. 

_______________ is the lifeblood of the Preserve. 

The French were more interested in finding 

the source of the Timucuans’ meager stores of 

____________________ and _____________________ 

than in building stable alliances or planting 

crops. 

The French used heraldry, symbols used on flags and shields 

to identify people, or groups. At the Ribault Column you will 

see examples of this. Design your own family shield using 

symbols important to you. 

Did You Know? 

The French brought 

instruments like the fiddle, 

drums, and trumpet with 

them and taught songs 

to the Timucua people 

nearby. 
As a Junior Ranger, I 

promise to: 

EXPLORE the trails, 

waterways, and historic 

sites of Fort Caroline, 

LEARN about the cultures 

of people who lived here 

and the environment, 

PROTECT these special 

places by living by the 

Leave No Trace principals. 

CONGRATULATIONS! 

Is now a Junior Ranger with Fort Caroline National Memorial 

Ranger Signature Date 

A Home to Many 

This area was a home to many long before and 

after the French colony. Below are just a few of the 

communities to live here. Circle one, find a staff 

member or use the website to find one interesting 

fact about your group. 

San Mateo St. Johns Town 

Cosmo 

Spanish American War Soldiers 

People of the Shell Mounds 

Fun Fact:______________________________ 

______________________________________