1.0Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Centerhttps://www.rgnc.orgrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Fhre0NiTvX"><a href="https://www.rgnc.org/index.php/junior-rangers-3/">Junior Rangers</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.rgnc.org/index.php/junior-rangers-3/embed/#?secret=Fhre0NiTvX" width="600" height="338" title="“Junior Rangers” — Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center" data-secret="Fhre0NiTvX" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.rgnc.org/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script>   REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER 2026 IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. Join us for four weeks of hands-on, inquiry-based summer camp at Rio Grande Nature Center State Park with support from the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center, a non-profit organization established to support the Park and its mission. Junior Rangers Summer Camp is for middle-school aged youth (11-14 years old) and will run for 2 weeks in June and 2 weeks in July, Monday to Thursday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. June 15-19 – Week 1: Plants & Pollinators  The bosque comes alive in June with the thrum of insects, the buzz of hummingbirds and the flutter of moths. Explore the fascinating world of plants and their pollinators Learn how to identify common plants of the bosque and which insects and birds pollinate them. Create arts and crafts inspired by the natural world around you. Come up with a plan to protect the pollinators in your neighborhood throughout the winter.   June 22-26 – Week 2: The Life Aquatic  Learn all about the aquatic life of the Middle Rio Grande.  We will trek to the river and we will trek to the ponds.  Learn about which creatures live in the river, and which creatures live in the wetlands. Study invertebrates under microscopes and sketch what you see.  Explore a whole other world that exists just below the surface. Fishes and frogs and beavers, oh my!  July 13-17 – Week 3: The Thing with Feathers  Learn to bird this summer! Whether you are a novice birder or have been birding since you could walk this camp is for you. 331 different species of birds have been spotted at Rio Grande Nature Center State Park making it one of New Mexico’s premier birding hotspots. Learn how to properly use binoculars, work on your bird list, and go birding in the bosque and the wetlands. Make bird inspired art and keep a birding journal.    July 20-24 – Week 4: Belonging in the Bosque  Who belongs in the bosque? What is the difference between an invasive species and a native species? Historically, what roles have humans had in shaping the bosque? What roles should humans have in managing the Bosque? Put on your land manager hats and work gloves, because we will be answering tough questions and picking tumbleweeds as we explore the ecology of the Anthropocene in the bosque.   Cost: For FRGNC members, each week is $130. For non-member, each week is $160.  If you are a member of the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, the 20% discount will be applied to the cost of these sessions at checkout when you enter the Promotion Code Member. (You are a member if you have a current Friends Day Use placard for the park).  You may also purchase a membership now to get the 20% discount for these sessions and an annual Friends placard. Regular memberships are $30 per year and special memberships for seniors (62+), teachers, people with disabilities, and students (18-23) are $20 per year. If you are registering more than one child, purchase only one membership.  Without a membership, the day use fee is $5 per vehicle per day.   Refund Policy: What to Know Before You Register: What to Bring Daily: Rules for Students: Note:  Registration for each class ends at noon on the Sunday before the class begins on Monday. If you are enrolling more than one child, please close this window and go back to the website when you have completed the registration and payment.    https://www.rgnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bigcottonwood-edited.jpg900506