Smokies Life, formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association, received national recognition at the 2024 Public Lands Alliance Partnership Awards for its “Junior Ranger Activity Guide,” which won in a category for Outstanding Public Engagement.
Public Lands Alliance (PLA) publicly announced and honored the winners of its annual awards at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, April 18.
Published in 2023, the “Junior Ranger Activity Guide” is an interactive illustrated guidebook packed full of fun activities designed to introduce kids of all ages to the Smokies. It was developed by National Park Service staff at Great Smoky Mountains National Park with support from Smokies Life and assistance from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cherokee Speakers Council.
Featuring colorful illustrations by Jesse White and designed by the Smokies Life creative team, the 38-page booklet serves as the official guide to the Junior Ranger program at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Anyone that helps their team complete at least five activities and five experiences outlined in the guide can be officially sworn in as a Junior Ranger at any park visitor center. The guides are designed to be completed as a team, and there are no age limits on the Junior Ranger program at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The 9-by-12-inch “Junior Ranger Activity Guide,” which includes 38 illustrated pages of park-related activities and a tear-out postcard and bookmark, is available for $4.50 in the park’s visitor center bookstores and at Smokies Life’s online store, SmokiesLife.org.
For additional details on the 2024 Public Lands Alliance Partnership Awards, visit publiclandsalliance.org or watch the ceremony stream at facebook.com/publiclandsalliance.