Junior Park Ranger Program

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments

The National Park Service protects many historical areas in the southwestern United States. Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot are just two of these sites.

Now that you are an official Junior Park Ranger we hope that you will continue to help us protect these special places so that others who come after you may enjoy them also.

As a Junior Park Ranger your duties are:

This Junior Park Ranger Program is made possible through the support of the Western National Parks Association (WNPA). This nonprofit organization was founded in 1938 to aid and promote the educational and scientific activities of the National Park Service.

Special thanks also goes to former National Park Service Ranger Angela L. Davis for the text and design of this program.

If you have any questions or comments about the Montezuma Castle/Tuzigoot National Monuments Junior Park Ranger Program, please write to:

Superintendent P.O. Box 219 Camp Verde, AZ 86322

Printed with funds donated by Western National Parks Association—1/03 www.wnpa.org Recycled Paper

Become a Junior Park Ranger

It’s easy to become a Junior Park Ranger. You will learn about Montezuma Castle and/or Tuzigoot National Monuments. Discover the people who lived here, the plants that they used and the animals that still make their homes here today. You will receive an official Junior Park Ranger badge for your work.

If you have any questions please ask your Mom or Dad, a big brother or sister or any Park Ranger for help. When you are done bring your booklet to the Visitor Center and have a Park Ranger check your work and sign your certificate.

This is to certify that

Pick a Pair of Pots

People learn about the past from looking at things that were left behind. The people who lived at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot left lots of pottery.

Below are some pots. Two of them are exactly the same. Look at them closely, then circle (or mark the checkbox for) the matching pair.

Who Lives Here?

People were not the only ones who lived here. Many animals also make their homes around here. Can you draw a line from each animal to the name of its home? Also circle any animals or homes that you see while you are visiting.

Ant Hill

Nest

Hive

Brushpile

Rockhole

Groundhole

Food to Find

Help the squirrel find the berries. Begin with the squirrel and find your way through the maze to the berries. Just like when you visit parks, you need to stay on the path. Do not cross any solid lines.

Have Fun!

Discover and Uncover

How many items listed below can you find in the puzzle? All have been discovered either at Tuzigoot or Montezuma Castle. Words may be found up, down, across, at an angle or even backwards.

Look closely and dig in to see how many you can uncover!

Then and Now

People lived at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot many years ago. They did not have electricity, grocery stores or even metal. These past people made the things needed for themselves. Today people usually buy things that have already been made.

Below are many objects. Draw an X through each object that would not have been available to the people who lived here.

You Decide!

The Sinagua (seen-AH-wa) Indians lived in this area for a long time. After living here many years, the people left. Did something change that forced them to leave? People today are trying to learn why they went away.

NO ONE KNOWS THE ANSWER

This is your chance to tell us what you think happened to the Sinagua Indians. People have guessed that a disease may have killed them, a drought (no rain for a long time) could have destroyed their crops, too many people living in one place may have used up all the food and firewood or they may have been attacked by some other tribe. Look at the exhibits and walk the trail to learn more about the Sinagua Indians.

In the space below write out your own story of why they left.

The Sinagua Indians left because....

Plants Provided

The Sinagua Indians who lived here years ago depended on nature to supply their needs. Plants provided food, building material, medicine and clothing.

While you are visiting, look at the different plants. Many are the same type that people used when they lived here. Four plants are listed below, along with how they were used. See if you can find and draw 3 of these 4.

Fill in the Spaces

Fill in the words below that match the definition given.

Now fill in the letters of the numbered spaces below with letters from the words above to discover a hidden message.