Ranger trainees set up camping tents within the national park's premises - Rangers of a junior level setting up camps in a national park
Junior Rangers Embark on Water and Wilderness Adventure in Lower Odertal National Park
The Lower Odertal National Park in Brandenburg, Germany, will host the 21st edition of Brandenburg's Junior-Ranger Camp from July 25 to 27, 2025. This year's theme is "Water and Wilderness", with the focus on promoting awareness and appreciation of the park's water ecosystems and wildlife.
More than 260 children, aged six to 18, are participating in the camp, divided into 25 groups. Around 90 of these young explorers have set up their tents at the National Park Lower Odertal this weekend, with 33 of them being first-timers.
The Junior-Rangers, under the guidance of adult rangers, actively participate in species conservation and learn about local habitats during their outings. This year, the children's activities include setting sail with a dragon boat, building mini-rafts, gathering herbs for dinner, and learning what's needed for survival in the wilderness.
Britta Schmidt, the head of Nature Watch Brandenburg, announced the event. Nature Watch, an organisation that established the first Junior-Ranger groups in Brandenburg in 1994, is responsible for organising the camp.
The Lower Odertal National Park, Germany's only floodplain national park, provides the perfect setting for these nature-focused activities. The children's adventures may also extend to locations like Uckermark, a region in Brandenburg, where they may have additional outings or activities.
According to a spokesperson for Brandenburg's Nature Watch, the camp aims to foster a sense of sustainability in the young participants. The campers will receive a t-shirt and cap with a nature conservation logo as their "uniform".
As the Junior-Rangers embark on their water and wilderness adventure, they can look forward to an exciting weekend filled with discovery, learning, and fun.
In the spirit of cultivating sustainability among its young participants, the camp's "uniform" will feature a nature conservation logo on the t-shirts and caps. The camp's activities, such as dragon boat sailing, mini-raft building, and herb gathering, are all part of the science and environmental-science education leveraged within the various groups. The lifestyle of these Junior-Rangers extends beyond their adventures in Lower Odertal National Park, as they also engage in educational and self-development opportunities in related fields.
