The park has a new year round program that allows youngsters between the ages of 6 and 12 to learn more about the national park that is located in their own back yard. Youngsters may purchase a Junior Ranger handbook in the Women's Rights National Historical Park bookstore, complete the activities, and receive an award. Rose said the Junior Ranger handbook has been two years in the making. It was first introduced in the summer of 1999, and was so popular with visiting families that Women's Rights National Historical Park applied for a publication grant from Eastern National, the association that operates the park's bookstore, to professionally produce the handbook. Designed by Karen Burns of Birdsey Graphic Design in Junius, the booklet contains educational activities created by teacher Lois Hunt of Seneca Falls.
Youngsters can enjoy a maze, quizzes and a coloring page.
There's even a place to collect ranger autographs. When the activities have been completed, the youngster can present the booklet to a park ranger and receive a badge and certificate. Families who are fans of the National Park Service collect these badges at parks throughout the country, Rose said. Women's Rights National Historical Park, Visitor Center is located at 136 Fall St., Seneca Falls. The park interprets the events and people associated with the first Women's Rights Convention, held in the Wesleyan Chapel July 19 and 20, 1848.