Junior Keepers are all about exploring and learning about waterfalls and streams. We play in the water, learn about critters, explore waterfalls, and identify mushrooms, wildflowers, and other plants. We focus a lot on safety and good habits around a waterfall. We clean up trash at waterfalls and learn about how litter affects wildlife and water quality. There is so much to learn and do!
Sign up to become a Junior Waterfall Keeper and we’ll send you a special Junior Keeper patch and sticker!
Badge Challenges
Our two challenges are for you to earn Junior Keeper BADGES. We want to see the critters and plants you find along the way to waterfalls. We want to hear about how you are working hard for conservation, how you improve the quality of the trail, and how you concentrate on safety for animals and fellow waterfallers. New badges will be announced each year so work hard to earn them ALL!
Click the badges to visit the challenge pages.
Waterfall Passport
The Waterfall Passport is a challenge to visit a bunch of waterfalls across North Carolina. The Passport includes five state parks that feature some of North Carolina’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Click the links to download the Waterfall Passport info.
Chimney Rock State Park
Gorges State Park
Hanging Rock State Park
South Mountains State Park
Stone Mountain State Park
Curriculum
We are excited to share a curriculum that parents can use with their kids or homeschool group. These may be used as a standalone adventure with kids and they are wonderful to combine with a kid’s outing to earn Junior Keeper badges.
Link to Creek Critters Curriculum
Link to Junior Conservationist Curriculum
Junior Keeper Partners
Chimney Rock State Park
ecoEXPLORE
Gorges State Park
Hanging Rock State Park
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
South Mountains State Park
