5TH-GRADER PRESENTS TO KINDERGARTEN CLASS ON MOUNT RUSHMORE: HOPES TO IGNITE PARK STEWARDSHIP IN NATIONAL PARK SERVICEÕS 100TH YEAR
WHAT:
As the National Park Service turns 100 this summer and celebrates a century of stewardship, Rosarian Academy fifth-grader Caleb Miller will return to his kindergarten teacherÕs class on Monday, May 2nd for the fifth consecutive year to present on his experience visiting Mount Rushmore, hoping to spark the se excitement and park stewardship that started when he too was in kindergarten.
After learning about Mount Rushmore in his kindergarten class, Caleb brought home ÒOne Hundred Best Vacations for Filies with ChildrenÓ from the Rosarian Academy book fair, saw Mount Rushmore in the book, and told his parents he wanted to go there for summer vacation. CalebÕs interest and excitement spurred his parents, Jeff and Ruthann Miller, to MapQuest Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area and book a trip to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, along with Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Parks in Wyoming. Since visiting their first National Park in 2011, the Miller fily was introduced to the Junior Ranger Progr. Caleb and his younger brother, Aiden (fourth grade), set out on a quest to be sworn in as Junior Rangers in all 59 National Parks in the United States with the end goal of an invitation to the White House. As of today, the boys have visited 30 national parks and will visit four more this summer.
Each national parkÕs Junior Ranger Progr gives the child activities to complete based on his age. The goal is for Junior Rangers to help preserve and protect our national parks as they learn about nature and history and have fun exploring the parks. Upon completion of the required activities, children are sworn into the Junior Ranger Progr for that particular park and given a badge with a certificate of completion signed by a ranger.
Ultimately, the Miller boys leave each park as Junior Rangers to spread the word about their adventures and continue to protect the environment at home and at school. CalebÕs annual presentation to kindergarten is part of this mission.
