Junior Ranger Day Saturday as National Park Week nears end

PORT ANGELES — Special activities for children are scheduled for National Junior Ranger Day celebration on Saturday.

The celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles.

The day coincides with the last weekend of National Park Week, in which all parks, including Olympic National Park, are waiving admission fees.

Entrance fees are waived this week through next Sunday.

Junior Ranger Day

On Saturday, 40-minute ranger-guided walks will start from the center at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Microscopes will be set up for close-up views of insects and plants, the Children’s Discovery Room will be open and the park’s orientation film will be shown.

The park’s pack mules will make a special appearance at Junior Ranger Day between 11 a.m. and noon to allow children to meet the mules and learn how they help the park’s trail crew maintain the park’s 600-plus miles of wilderness trails.

Children must be accompanied by adults.

In the Junior Ranger program, which is conducted year-round, children complete Junior Ranger activity booklets, attend a ranger program and explore park nature trails to earn badges and certificates.

The entrance fee waiver for National Park Week does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors — such as charges for camping, reservations and use of concessions.

Aramark Parks and Destinations is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on lodging in the park.

Visitors can book one night, starting at $157, at any of three properties and get a second consecutive night free.

Promotions included

The promotion includes stays at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Kalaloch Lodge through Sunday and stays at Lake Crescent Lodge May 7-31.

Guests must book stays for Lake Crescent Lodge by Sunday. To make reservations, phone 866-761-6262 or go to http://tinyurl.com/FeeFreeDays.

For information about Junior Ranger Day, phone 360-565-3146.

For information about National Park Week, phone 360-452-0330.

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