How to Enjoy Crater Lake National Park With the Kids
- 1). See "How to Enjoy Crater Lake National Park," under Related eHows, for general information about the park and the activities offered there. Many of these are appropriate for kids as well as adults.
- 2). Take kids to park headquarters to see "The Crater Lake Story" and pick up educational materials about the natural and cultural history of the park.
- 3). Enroll kids in the Junior Ranger Program. Children ages 6 to 12 are eligible for the program, which runs from late June to late August at the Mazama Campground. Ask a ranger for details.
- 4). Join in ranger-led programs, which run from July to early September. These programs are usually pretty short (1 hour or less), and present the natural and cultural history of the park, sometimes including hikes or evening walks.
- 5). Find a spotted owl. Ask a ranger where you are most likely to encounter these denizens of the old-growth forest, then talk to kids about conservation issues surrounding this beautiful bird - such as the conflict between loggers and those who want to preserve the forest.
- 6). Arrange a boat tour, a rafting trip or a guided fishing excursion. These are available within the park and in surrounding areas and are sure to be kid-pleasers.
- 7). Drive to a larger city such as Eugene (120 miles northwest of the park) or Medford (80 miles southwest) to find theaters and other big-city recreational diversions for kids.