Spring Hill Elementary’s third grade enrichment students had the opportunity to become “park rangers” of a national park of their choice. For the past semester, students collected data on their parks from information they gathered after writing a letter to their park requesting information. They researched their park’s history, natural features, highlights, plants, wildlife, recreation, weather, safety and its future. The “junior rangers” then compiled their facts and created maps, graphs, brochures, poster displays and reports. On National Park Ranger Day, the students acted as park rangers and guided their visitors through their park. The display consisted of 18 park exhibits including Yellowstone, Everglades, Arches, Acadia and Mammoth Cave. 
 
Parents, teachers and the students at Spring Hill were treated to third graders donning ranger hats and eagerly sharing specifics on their park. After listening to some of these rangers, many visitors enthusiastically began to plan a trip to one of the destinations. Walking through the exhibits was like journeying through a large brochure about all the national parks in America. These “rangers” helped remind their guests about the many valuable natural resources located in the United States and that making one of their national parks a vacation destination would not disappoint any family. 
 
One could not help but be impressed with the students’ efforts and dedication to research they put forth in this project. “This is my tenth year teaching this national park unit and I am totally amazed by the quality these students created. I am ready to take a trip myself!” said Marty Johnson, third grade enrichment teacher at Spring Hill Elementary.