Creating a Junior Ranger Outdoor Adventure Party is a lot of fun for parents and kids alike. This birthday party, aimed at both boys and girls in the preschool - 2nd grade age range works equally well outdoors or indoors. This series of articles will address the planning stages of the Junior Ranger Outdoor Adventure Party, the implementation of this type of camping or scouting party, and nature based decorations, crafts and activities for this type of nature party. All in all, whether you're looking for a camping party, an outdoor party, a nature party, a scouting party or an adventure party, the Junior Ranger Theme Party will fit the bill!
Party Concept
- create a scaled version of a Boy Scout reward and recognition plan
- teach the guests a little about nature and scouting
- create clever crafts for the guests to keep
Invitation
- use items from nature -- a pinecone or dried leaf -- to include in the envelope
- use verbiage to invite the guests onto a scouting adventure to earn the coveted Junior Ranger Merit Badge
- create a logo on the computer or by hand to represent the Junior Ranger badge
Food
- weather permitting, hotdogs cooked over a campfire (with lots of adult supervision)
- S'mores (but of course!) - can be made outdoors in the traditional manner or indoors using the microwave
- bakery birthday cake decorated with a cute outdoor scene (think of a bear chasing a camper!)
- water served in water bottles or canteens (can be a take-away gift)
Activities
- nature story: adult can read an appropriate book, such as Birdsongs, and can highlight the story with recordings of actual bird calls. This is a fun activity, that is quiet for the kids, but educational and interesting.
- create rainsticks: using paper towel tubes, gift wrap tubes, or plastic cylinders (such as those that protect flourescent tube lights), stick toothpicks through the walls of the tubes, at various angles and levels. An adult can break off the extra lengths of toothpicks that will be sticking out of the tubes. Close off one end of the tube with duct tape, pour rice into the tube (about 1 cup) and seal up the other end with duct tape. Finally, wrap the entire tube in nature-themed contact paper. Use contact paper that looks like wood, cork, or some other natural material.
Related Articles
Check back here for additional articles in this series.
© Text by Janice Benoit. [March 2007]. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
