Junior Ranger Field Day at Valley Forge

Earn a special Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge when you participate in the activities on Sunday, August 23, 2026! NPS Graphic

Celebrate Recreation at Valley Forge

When: Saturday, August 22, 2026

Sunday, August 23, 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm

Where: The Visitor Center at Valley Forge

Junior Ranger Field Day has been moved to the rain date due to forecasted rain and thunderstorms.

The special Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge features a Continental Army drum and drumsticks.

Junior Ranger Field Day is a day of recreation-themed activities celebrating the great outdoors, connecting to history and nature, and exercising your body and mind at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

NOTE: All activities are weather-dependent. The rain date is Sunday, August 23, 2026.

How to earn your special Junior Ranger Day badge:

Pick up your Junior Ranger Field Day worksheet in the visitor center.

Visit the activity stations on the second floor of the visitor center and on the Mini Grand Parade. (see below for map and activity descriptions)

Complete at least four activity sections on your worksheet.

Bring your completed worksheet back to a ranger in the visitor center.

After you take the Junior Ranger pledge, you’ll earn a Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge!

Junior Ranger Field Day Activities will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Visitor Center at Valley Forge. NPS Graphic

Junior Ranger Field Day Activities

General Information, Activity Worksheet Pickup, and Junior Ranger Day Badge

Inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge

Pick up your activity worksheet and talk to a volunteer or park ranger to help plan your visit. Bring your completed activity worksheet back here to get your special Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge.

1. Ice Age Fossils

On the second floor of the Visitor Center at Valley Forge

Giant sloths, sabertoothed tigers, and short-faced bears, oh my! Join a scientist from the Academy of Natural Sciences to learn about the ancient Ice Age animals of Valley Forge and the amazing fossils found right here.

2. Casting a Fly

This activity has been canceled.

Next to the Theater at Valley Forge, hosted by Valley Forge Trout Unlimited

Did you know that you can go fishing in Valley Creek at Valley Forge National Historical Park? Learn about how to fish safely at Valley Forge and try your hand at casting with a fly fishing rod.

3. Colonial Games

On the Mini Grand Parade near the Theater at Valley Forge

Try your hand at the kinds of 18th century games played during the time of the encampment at Valley Forge.

4. Turtle Crawl

On the Mini Grand Parade

Join a group game and act like an Eastern Box Turtle. Find as much food as you can, but don’t get eaten by a predator! Games begin every 30 minutes on the hour and the half-hour.

5. Birds & Binoculars

This activity has been canceled.

On the Mini Grand Parade

Learn how to use binoculars to spot wild birds and their nests, and to notice the details that make them unique.

6. Build-A-Bird

At the picnic pavilion near the Mini Grand Parade

Pick your beak, your wings, your feet, and other bird parts to create your bird! Markers, crayons and other supplies are provided. Take home your creation!

7. Paddling!

Near the upper doors of the visitor center and the Mini Grand Parade

Have you paddled out on the water before? Learn all about safe water recreation on local lakes and rivers with friends from Pennsylvania State Parks! Try on a personal flotation device (PFD) and sit in a boat.

Where this belongs

• Valley Forge National Historical Park

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