Hey Kids! Looking for a safe, fun and interesting outdoor experience with a reward? Well, grab your water bottle, backpack and your family and head to Lory State Park!
The staff and volunteers at Lory State Park have made changes to one of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s most popular outdoor educational programs to make it available to families who want to come to the park with an educational purpose.
The Lory State Park Junior Ranger Program is a handbook of outdoor activities prepared especially for 7- to 12-year-old visitors. Children and their families hike a trail in the park, complete the activities in the handbook, then turn it in to staff in the Visitor Center where the successful applicant will take the Junior Ranger Pledge and receive a Junior Ranger badge.
However, during this period of closures due to Coronavirus, access to all CPW offices and visitor centers may be restricted or limited, although rangers are still on duty and those offices will remain staffed and available for questions via phone or email.
So, as of April 29, 2020, the following changes are in effect:
- Families can pick up a Jr Ranger Handbook from the brochure dispenser just inside the Lory Visitor Center front door.
- Hike the Well Gulch Nature Trail and complete at least five, or all nine nature activities in the handbook.
- Option 1: return the completed handbook to a drop box in the Lory Visitor Center after filling out the back page with the name and address of the applicant to receive the authorized Junior Ranger Pledge certificate and a Junior Ranger badge in the mail in one or two weeks; OR
- Option 2: on your home computer, scan in the completed pages and email them, along with the name and address of the applicant to dnr_loryinterp@state.co.us to receive the authorized Junior Ranger Pledge certificate and a Junior Ranger badge in the mail in one or two weeks.
- The Junior Ranger Handbook is also available in a Spanish–language version
Based on guidance from government and public health officials, all Coloradans should take proactive steps to slow and mitigate the transmission of coronavirus to one another. Park visitors are encouraged to enjoy parks responsibly during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please consider the following when visiting a Colorado state park and comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing guidelines.
- If you are sick, stay home.
- Keep a social distance from others, a suggested 6 feet.
- Announce your presence to others. Signal your presence with your voice or a bell when passing others.
- Stay regional. Front Range residents should avoid traveling to the high country or small mountain communities that are closed to visitors.
- Avoid times and places of high use. To avoid creating large crowds at popular trails or outdoor areas, spread out to less popular spots, and avoid times of highest use if possible. Use COTREX to discover and explore other local trails in your area to help disperse traffic.
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and cover coughs with your elbow.
- Be kind, say hi! Do your part to be kind, say hi or wave hello, respect your fellow humans when out on the trail in these challenging times. Share smiles!
