Saratoga National Historical Park Junior Ranger Program

Saratoga National Historical Park 648 Route 32 • Stillwater, New York 12170 518-664-9821 • www.nps.gov/sara sara_info@nps. gov
Directions:
Saratoga National Historical Park is located 40 miles north of Albany, the state capital, and some 15 miles southeast of Saratoga Springs. The principal exit (#12) off the Northway (I-87) is clearly signed for the Park.
To the Parent/Adult: This Junior Ranger program is designed for students grade 3-6, but may be used by other ages as well. It is hoped that the activities here will help our younger visitors better enjoy, understand and appreciate our park and its resources. Our Junior Ranger program was designed with our Tour Road in mind, but it can be enjoyed without driving through the Battlefield.
To the Junior Ranger: When you receive this booklet, choose and complete three (grades 3-4) or four (grades 5-6) activities in the booklet. Yes, you can get help from someone in your group, or one of our Rangers, and yes, you could do more activities. Once you have completed your activities, have an adult with your group check your work. Once you’ve done that, CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve qualified as a Saratoga National Historical Park Junior Ranger. You will have received a Junior Ranger badge with this booklet.
What? No checking in with a Park Ranger afterward? That’s right. You see, our program works on the honor system . That means we’re trusting that you , in receiving this booklet, will do your best to meet the requirements for becoming a Junior Ranger. The public is trusting us to take care of this park. We’re trusting you to help us by learning more about what’s here.
Have fun, and good luck!
The War for American Independence, or American Revolution (1775-1783), was probably one of our country’s most difficult conflicts. Great Britain was a very powerful nation. It had many advantages over its rebelling colonies.
This new American independence suffered many problems during all eight years of the war. In 1777, however, a British Army invading from Canada heading south into New York was defeated by American troops in Stillwater and forced to surrender at Saratoga—now Schuylerville, NY. This surrender was important both in strengthening the American Spirit and in getting other countries to recognize and help the new American nation.