Be a park ranger for a day over summer

Kids can get out and be in the beautiful nature over the school holidays. Picture: PARKS VICTORIA

Kids on school holidays this summer across Victoria can get out into nature and visit their local national parks.

From Kurth Kiln in Gembrook to the trails at Dandenong Ranges National Park, students can become “Junior Rangers” for a day and get to explore many of the state’s beautiful national parks.

Education Officer and Ranger Julie Pickwick from Vic Parks has been delivering education programs for over 13 years and said she is “living her dream job.”

“I just love it,” she said.

Children can access the programs for free and learn about several topics at different locations, from Grant’s Picnic Ground to the Thousand Steps at Upper Ferntree Gully.

Ms Pickwick said the programs delivered in the Yarra Ranges can also be quite special because of the the little remnant pockets of rainforest that kids can explore.

“When I get them to look up at the height of the trees, you just see these jaws drop one by one by one when they realise how tall they are,” she said.

Remember, to book your JR activities you must create a profile. It’s easy and user friendly, so be sure to do this before bookings go live.

View the Parks Victoria Junior Rangers page for activity books and other self-guided resources.