National Park Week at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

April 19 -27, 2008 is National Park Week. Specific Activities at Great Smoky Mountains National Park during National Park Week include: April 26: Junior Ranger Day - Sugarlands Visitor Center: Go salamandering and make old fashioned toys. For more information call 865-436-1291 or 828-497-1904 April 26: Junior Ranger Day - Oconaluftee Visitor Center: Work with a blacksmith and make old fashioned toys. For more information call 865-436-1291 or 828-497-1904 April 26: Junior Ranger Day - Cades Cove Cable Mill Area: Work with a blacksmith and make old fashioned toys. For more information call 865-436-1291 or 828-497-1904 For more details about the activities taking place at this National Park, visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website. National Park Week is one week each year that has been designated by the President as a time to celebrate and recognize the National Parks of our country. The National Park Service encourages each of us to take a moment, an hour, a day to visit a National Park during National Park Week to appreciate the magnificent natural landscapes and varied heritage that is showcased in each park. Our National Parks truly are living examples of the best this Nation has to offer. Parks provide opportunities to learn and grow, places of quiet refuge, and opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation activities. To learn more about National Park Week, visit the official National Park Service website. As a part of National Park Week, many National Parks will also be organizing a Junior Ranger Day on April 26th. The Junior Ranger program is designed to engage children and families in the stories embodied in national parks. Children complete activity books that lead them through the park in a kid-friendly way. They are drawn to parts of the park story that they can relate to. When completed, they present their booklets to a ranger to earn a patch or badge and a certificate. There are Junior Ranger programs in 297 of the National Parks. Visit The official Junior Rangers webpage to learn more.