Ramble Raccoon

01/15/2022

Congratulations to Tennessee State Parks' newest Junior Rangers! We are thrilled that you have completed your virtual adventure and hope you'll see this as a call to action - to get out and explore YOUR 56 state parks!

Have a great weekend everyone!

01/12/2022

Hey, Fuzz Fans!

DATE CORRECTION: Quizzes due Wednesday, January 12th (today)!

Quick reminder that TODAY is the last day to turn in your Virtual Junior Ranger Quizzes to be considered for graduation!

🚨GRADUATION INFORMATION!🚨

In order to qualify for graduation, you must be registered with the program and complete 8 of the 12 monthly quizzes. They can be found at the links below:

January: https://bit.ly/JanuaryCheckIn
February: https://bit.ly/VJRPFebruaryCheckIn
March: https://bit.ly/VJRPMarchCheckIn
April: https://bit.ly/VJRPAprilCheckIn
May: https://bit.ly/VJRPMayCheckIn
June: https://bit.ly/VJRPJuneQuiz
July: https://bit.ly/VJRPJulyCheckIn
August: https://bit.ly/VJRPAugust
September: https://bit.ly/VJRPSeptCheckIn
October: https://bit.ly/VJRPOctoberCheckIn
November: https://bit.ly/VJRPNovCheckIn
December: https://bit.ly/VJRPDecCheckIn

Quizzes MUST be submitted no later than Wednesday, January 12th, at 11:59 p.m. This will allow us to tally the participants for graduation and prepare certificates!

Graduation will be held live on Zoom January 15, 2022. We'll have a guest speaker as well as give YOU the opportunity to share what you liked most about your Virtual Junior Ranger journey! Cornelius Cornsnake will also make an appearance!

01/05/2022

CONGRATULATIONS, FUZZ FANS! YOU MADE IT!

For those who have joined us for the Virtual Junior Ranger Program journey, a BIG THANK YOU for sticking with us throughout the year! We hope you've enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about what makes Tennessee special!

🚨GRADUATION INFORMATION!🚨

In order to qualify for graduation, you must be registered with the program and complete 8 of the 12 monthly quizzes. They can be found at the links below:

January: https://bit.ly/JanuaryCheckIn
February: https://bit.ly/VJRPFebruaryCheckIn
March: https://bit.ly/VJRPMarchCheckIn
April: https://bit.ly/VJRPAprilCheckIn
May: https://bit.ly/VJRPMayCheckIn
June: https://bit.ly/VJRPJuneQuiz
July: https://bit.ly/VJRPJulyCheckIn
August: https://bit.ly/VJRPAugust
September: https://bit.ly/VJRPSeptCheckIn
October: https://bit.ly/VJRPOctoberCheckIn
November: https://bit.ly/VJRPNovCheckIn
December: https://bit.ly/VJRPDecCheckIn

Quizzes MUST be submitted no later than Wednesday, January 12th, at 11:59 p.m. This will allow us to tally the participants for graduation and prepare certificates!

Graduation will be held live on Zoom January 15, 2022. We'll have a guest speaker as well as give YOU the opportunity to share what you liked most about your Virtual Junior Ranger journey! Cornelius Cornsnake will also make an appearance!

Finally, we hope you'll consider visiting your Tennessee State Parks this year. As an added bonus, check out our Tennessee State Parks Passport program: https://tnstateparks.com/blog/exploring-tennessee-state-parks-in-the-new-year

Once again, thank YOU so much for joining us for this amazing journey! We hope you'll continue your adventure by getting out and exploring YOUR Tennessee State Parks!

Start your adventure here: www.tnstateparks.com

The Virtual Junior Ranger Program was a partnership with the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. Click their name to learn more!

Remember to share your memories and adventures with , , and, of course, !

[This post was edited to correct the date quizzes are due from January 13th to January 12th (Wednesday).]

12/22/2021

Hey hey, Fuzz Fans! So you've learned a little bit about our state mammal, me... the raccoon! Now get ready for our state fruit, which is... the...

tomato? 🍅

How is that possible?! It's a vegetable... isn't it?

Let's check in with our friends at SciShow Kids to learn how to tell!

Have you ever wondered how to tell fruits and vegetables apart? Learn how to with Jessi and Squeaks!----------Like SciShow? Want to help support us, and also...

12/21/2021

Hey Fuzz Fans! We've taken a look at Tennessee's Nobel Peace Prize winners and now know that the Nobel Peace Prize is a symbol of excellence and work in promoting world peace!

Tennessee has its own state symbols as well! This week we'll be looking at a few of them... starting with MY favorite state symbol! It's the Tennessee state mammal, the raccoon, of course! Watch this awesome video from our friends at the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to learn some cool facts about... well, me!

The first video of our 2020 Virtual Open House is all about raccoons! Enjoy these fun facts and photos.

12/18/2021

Park Manager Monique Johnson of Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park shares valuable insight on what it takes to earn your very own Nobel Peace Prize! Meet Tennessee's two Nobel Peace Prize winners!

12/18/2021

Hey Fuzz Fans! Remember to join us today at 10 AM Central/11 AM Eastern for a special Facebook LIVE announcement about Tennessee's Nobel Prize winners!

12/13/2021

Hey Fuzz Fans! We begin our look at Tennessee's two Nobel Prize winners, starting with the first in the state's history to achieve it. Not sure who that is? Join us this Saturday, Dec. 18th, for our Facebook LIVE announcing a special message from our friends at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park!

What was Cordell Hull famous for? Called the "Father of the United Nations," he worked tirelessly to bring nations together to discuss peaceful solutions to common problems, rather than the world clashing through war. Through his efforts we've made great strides in understanding the interests of other peoples, but we have a long way to go to achieve world peace. The United Nations helps with that!

How does the United Nations work? Check out this great video from our friends at CBC Kids News to find out!

The United Nations comes up in international news a lot. But what is it? What does it do? Why is it important? CBC Kids News’s Sid and Ruby break it down for...

12/06/2021

Hey Fuzz Fans!!! Whew! Can you believe it's DECEMBER already? We've been doing this for almost a full year now! Time sure does fly when you're having fun!

We are dedicating December to Tennessee History! From our Nobel Prize winners to our state symbols, we'll be looking at those moments in time which have made our grand state... well, grand!

Attached are the activity sheets for the month! December 10th is Nobel Prize Day, and did you know that Tennessee is home to not one, but TWO Nobel Prize winners? Each received this prize for working to end global wars or combat climate change. Complete the activity sheets to find who was who!

The Nobel Prize stands as a symbol of great achievement, but did you know Tennessee has its own state symbols? These symbols represent our wildlife, agriculture, state history, and so much more! Knowing these symbols will show you quick glimpses into the things we honor as having deep meaning to our state! Check them out!

Throughout the month we'll highlight some important periods in Tennessee history. Also, stay tuned for information about Junior Ranger Graduation!

11/20/2021

Good morning, Fuzz Fans! Friendly reminder to join us on Facebook LIVE at 10:00 a.m. CST / 11:00 a.m. EST to learn about nature's recycling, and how YOU can protect the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling at home!

11/15/2021

Hey Fuzz Fans! Guess what day it is!

🚨♻️ It's AMERICA RECYCLES DAY!!! ♻️🚨

Our topic for November, Conservation, was chosen in honor of this special day. Ask a child how best to protect the environment, and 9 times out of 10 they'll say pick up trash, recycle and don't pollute! These are all great ways to care for the planet... but HOW do you do it?

Check out Tennessee State Parks' Go Green With Us Initiative!

Just like you at home, we have to be responsible with how we run our visitor centers, manage our trash and clean up the land our parks protect. It's a big, important job... and we can't do it without you!

One way to protect our parks is to practice Leave No Trace. What is Leave No Trace? Check out their website to learn ways you can protect green spaces and nature!

https://lnt.org/

Here's a link to our friends at Recycle Across America. They have great advice on how you can recycle at home!
https://www.recycleacrossamerica.org/tips-to-recycle-right

GO GREEN BINGO!

Use the pictures to play GO GREEN BINGO next time you visit a park! See if you can find all the ways we Go Green!

11/02/2021

Hey Fuzz Fans! How did you do on the Trashy Timeline? Need help scoring your common household items by year they disappear? Watch our "Let's Talk Trash" video to find out!

Ever wondered if trash just "goes away" once its been recycled or thrown out? Guess again!