NPS Photo.

A girl washes clothes the homesteader way during an educational program.

Young visitors are invited to become Junior Rangers. The program is fun, educational, and free! After completing pages in the Junior Ranger booklet, the child earns a badge and certificate. Activities are geared for ages 5-8 and 9-12, and they include drawing a picture, dot-to-dot, matching historical equipment to the equivalent equipment today, crossword puzzle, word find, and more.

Children can also dress up as homesteaders and are encouraged to imagine living in the Palmer-Epard Cabin, where ten children grew up, and to visit the one-room Freeman School, where all grades attended together.

Adults can check out a GPS unit at the Education Center and work with their kids to learn about GPS by navigating to points on the tallgrass prairie.

Programs with hands-on activities are available upon request for schools and groups such as Scout troops. Call for more information.

Special events held throughout the year are an excellent way for children to learn about their history.