RANGER TREK’S GUIDE TO THE OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum was designed to “…remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those changed forever” by the attack on April 19, 1995 and the events that followed.¹

The Oklahoma City National Memorial is an affiliated site of the National Park Service. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial grounds and the Memorial Museum are owned and operated by the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The National Park Service entered into a cooperative agreement with the Memorial and Museum, a testament to the national significance and importance of the memorial to the United States of America. The National Park Service’s role at the Oklahoma City National Memorial is to provide interpretation of the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial.²

Junior Ranger Programs offered at this park:

The Oklahoma City National Memorial Junior Ranger Program is the only ongoing junior ranger program available at this park on a regular basis at this time.

Note:

• In 2020, the park offered a 25th Anniversary Special Edition Junior Ranger Book and corresponding badge. This program is no longer available. It’s possible the park may have some of the anniversary badges remaining but they do not have any more printed copies of the booklet.
• The park previously offered the Oklahoma Outdoor Ranger booklet and patch for Junior Rangers who visit all 3 NPS sites in Oklahoma. This program is being phased out and all 3 sites are completely out of the patch. The junior ranger booklet for this program is still on the park’s website. It can be downloaded and printed if you’d still like to complete it but there will be no reward available.

3 ways to access this park’s junior ranger booklet:

1. In person:
   • Because the NPS does not own any of the land at this site, there is no visitor center. Junior ranger booklets may be obtained in person from a ranger on the grounds of the memorial during their on duty hours (see below).
2. Print an online pdf:
   • The Oklahoma City National Memorial junior ranger booklet is available to download and print from the park’s website or by clicking this link: https://www.nps.gov/okci/learn/kidsyouth/upload/2022-okci-jr-book-for-web.pdf
3. Request to have a physical copy mailed to you:
   • You may request by phone or email (both listed below) to have a booklet mailed to you from the park office. Be sure to include a mailing address and how many you need.

How to complete each program:

The Oklahoma City National Memorial junior ranger booklet is geared toward children of all ages, but adults are welcome to participate. There is one booklet for all ages.

Information to help you complete the activities can be found in a few ways:

• Walk around the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, view the elements of the memorial and read the interpretive signs.
• Go on a self-guided Outdoor Symbolic Memorial Tour using the Site Guide on the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/okci/planyourvisit/self-guided-tour.htm#Museum to learn about each element of the memorial, either in person or remotely.
• Talk to a Park Ranger.
• Attend a regularly scheduled interpretive program, available daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. See the park’s calendar of events for details.
• The activities in the junior ranger booklets can all be completed by visiting the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial. It is not a requirement to visit the museum or necessary for completing any of the junior ranger activities.

3 ways to turn in your completed junior ranger booklet:

1. Because the NPS does not own any of the land at this site, there is no visitor center. Junior ranger booklets may be turned in to a ranger on the grounds of the memorial during their on duty hours (see below).
2. If you completed the booklet remotely, or you didn’t complete the book while at the park, or you weren’t able to turn it in while the Ranger was on duty, you may submit it by email. Send an email to larry_toll@nps.gov with pictures of your completed pages and a mailing address. The park will then mail you your badge.
3. Or, If you are unable to complete the booklet while visiting the memorial or you completed it remotely, you may mail it to the park at: Attn: Junior Ranger 301 NW 6th Street, Suite 305, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. The Park Ranger will look it over, sign and date the certificate on the back and mail it back to you along with the badge. Don’t forget to include a mailing address in your request.

Estimated time to complete:

Approximately 30 minutes. Varies depending on age and ability.

What you earn:

• An official, wood Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Ranger, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum”.
• An official Junior Ranger Certificate, which is on the back of the booklet, signed and dated by a Park Ranger.

Monetary costs:

It does not cost anything to participate in this junior ranger program. The booklet and badge are free of charge.

important to know about this park:

• The National Park Service does not own or manage any land or buildings at this site and therefore there is no visitor center or unigrid/park brochure for this site.
• We highly recommend a visit to the museum, located in the former Journal Record Building, on the grounds of the memorial site. The museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of violence, informing about events surrounding the bombing, and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected. The museum is very well done and impactful but also very heavy. You will want to consider your children’s own emotional readiness before taking them to the museum.
• There is an entrance fee for the museum and tickets may be purchased online or in person.
• The memorial grounds are free to visit year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
• Each chair in the Field of Empty Chairs lights up after dark and is very beautiful. We recommend visiting the site during the day, then going to dinner, and returning to view the memorial again after sunset.
• Regularly scheduled interpretive programs are conducted by Park Rangers daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day at the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial. Check the park calendar for details.
• Metered street parking is available all around the memorial and is free on weekends, federal holidays and all evenings after 6pm.
• The Memorial Parking Garage, located at the corner of NW 6th and Harvey Avenue is free with a paid museum admission. Parking validation is given at the Museum admissions desk. The garage is $5 per hour without a validation.
• The traditional Passport Stamp is available right inside the museum. Plus there are additional Passport Stamps, including the Junior Ranger Passport Stamp in the NPS Park Offices at 301 NW 6th Street, Suite 305, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Park Details

Other nearby Parks, Junior ranger Programs and attractions:

• Chickasaw National Recreation Area is approximately 85 miles to the south. It is the closest National Park Service site and it offers a junior ranger program.
• The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, located approximately 140 miles to the west, is a National Park Service site and has a junior ranger program.
• The Oklahoma State Capitol Building is nearby and offers free guided tours.

Disclaimer

1. https://www.nps.gov/okci/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm ↩︎
2. https://www.nps.gov/okci/learn/management/index.htm ↩︎

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