Welcome to Cumberland Island National Seashore!

I’m Junior, the exploring Gopher Tortoise, here to go with you on your adventure today! I’m calling all kids ages 5-7 ready for exploration and adventure! We’re going to learn about Cumberland Island and its animals, plants, and people! Sound like fun? Well of course it is! As a Junior Ranger, you also have the special mission to help protect this park and set good examples for other visitors.

To become a Junior Ranger:

Cumberland Island National Seashore is just one of many national parks across the U.S.! Where is your home and how far did you travel to get here?

Be Aware and be Prepared!

When exploring, Junior Rangers should be ready to face the day! Get started by drawing yourself under the Junior Ranger hat. Make sure you are wearing the right clothes for the weather today! There is also a list of things you might want to take with you as you explore today. See if you can find them in the word find below.

What is the Weather today?

Packing List

Habitat Match

Habitats are places where animals live. They provide what animals need to survive: food, water, and shelter. Today you will find many habitats, each with their own unique animals. Circle the ones that call the forest their home, and put an X through the ones that don’t belong here!

Dolphin

Pileated Woodpecker

Armadillo

Seastar

Green Treefrog

Be sure to circle me if the forest is my home!

Eye Spy

People have lived on Cumberland for centuries and were able to get what they needed to survive from the island’s resources. Let’s play Eye Spy and see if you can discover some things that were used in the past!

These are just a few examples. Other resources provided medicine, building materials, and a way to make money. Keep your eyes open for things you could use if you had to live here!

Marvelous Marshes

Millions of plants and animals thrive in the marsh. Most creatures are just visitors looking for shelter or food in the grass or by the water’s edge. Take a stroll on the boardwalk looking for signs of life in the marsh. Circle the ones that you find!

Manatees can also be seen in the marsh. Did you know that manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes! How long can you hold yours?

Can you match these riddles with some of the animals above? There is space at the bottom for you to write your own riddle for an animal or plant you see!

• I am a marine mammal

• I have flippers instead of legs

• I like eating fish

I AM THE

• I am a salt loving plant

• I am short and skinny

• I was once used for my salt to make glass

I AM THE

• I am a wading bird

• My long legs allow me to walk through shallow water

• My long bill helps me to spear fish

I AM THE

•

•

•

I AM THE

Forest Frolic

Let’s explore the maritime forest! Leaves come in many shapes and sizes. Pick up a few from the forest floor and make a rubbing of them in the space below. Remember Junior Rangers, protect Cumberland Island plants—don’t pick any leaves or flowers off the trees!

Instructions:

1. Put your leaves under this page vein side up

2. On top of the paper, lightly rub with the side of your pencil

3. Watch like magic as the leaves appear!

Did you know the oldest oak trees on the island are over 400 years old!

How old are you?

Take a Penny Hike!

Raccoons, bobcats, deer, and birds all live here, but many creatures of the forest are small and may go unnoticed because of their size. See what you can find in an area the size of a penny or smaller and record your findings below!

Shifting Sand Dunes

The sand dunes are important to barrier islands. They are the natural protection for the island from the wind, waves, and water of the ocean. They are important for nesting endangered shorebirds. Connect the dots below to discover another animal that needs dunes to nest!

Hint: I am a female reptile that comes ashore May through August. I lay almost 120 eggs in each nest, but only 1 in 1000 of the hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Who am I?

Dune Highways

The sandy path leading through the dunes is a great place to spot animal tracks. These footprints can tell a story of which animals have been through an area, where they came from, and where they were going! Match the animal tracks below to the animal that made it!

A.

B.

C.

D.

Attention Junior Rangers: we use the paths and stay off the dunes so we can protect the island and its animals!

Beach Exploration Bingo!

For many people, the beach is the most popular spot on the island! Take a walk on the beach and see what you can find. See how many different items you can cross off below, and then draw your favorite find in the box provided!