Trailer: Introducing Expedition National Parks

04/24/20 • 2 min

1 Listener

Co-host Junior Ranger Kieran will explain why he, his sister, and mother have embarked on a journey of a lifetime--Expedition National Parks--to discover the cultural, historical, and natural treasures of the United States.

One parent, two kids.... 419 national park units... Expedition National Parks takes the listener along on one family’s journey to discover the cultural, historical, and natural treasures of the United States through visiting the 419 units of the National Park Service, often referred to as “America’s Best Idea.” Always following the Junior Ranger motto of “Explore, Learn, and Protect,” this family’s expedition will crisscross the United States and its territories and episodes will contain dispatches from the parks they visit. Returning to the U.S. from more than a decade of living abroad, they will explore the surprising connection of many park sites to diplomacy, ever more important in this interconnected world. Inspired by the parks, with their beauty and deep histories, these three adventurers hope to encourage more people to visit national parks, particularly the less famous and visited ones, and become Junior Rangers themselves, galvanizing a larger movement of youth and family connection to nature and preservation.

Follow our journey on our website (ExpeditionNationalParks.com) and social media - @ExpeditionNPS on Twitter, @ExpeditionNationalParks on Instagram and please like our Facebook page. Check back for new episodes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month!

Music: "Solo Acoustic Guitar" by Jason Shaw
From the Free Music Archive CC BY

Music: "Solo Acoustic Guitar" by Jason Shaw
From the Free Music Archive CC BY

Next Episode

Place of Refuge: Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Overview: In this launch episode, Junior Ranger Sienna describes the family’s visit to their first of five parks sites on the Big Island: Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. It is here that the Junior Rangers begin their Hawai`i Island Junior Ranger Adventure Book and mom completes her first Kapuna Ranger booklet. By speaking to a Ranger, volunteers, and a cultural demonstrator, the family begins to understand the historical and cultural importance of the Place of Refuge.

Details: The first site the family visited on the Big Island of Hawaii was Pu`uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Located on the west coast of the island, literally just steps away from the famous snorkeling site, 2 step

Learning what Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau means in English helps one understand the significance and history of the place. Puʻuhonua means place of refuge. As a place of refuge, those who broke kapu, the ancient Hawaiian sacred laws, would be protected here. And in times of battle, defeated warriors and civilians would also seek protection here as anyone seeking shelter here could not be harmed.

The place of refuge itself was enclosed by the Great Wall, an impressive 965 ft long masonry wall, the remains of which can still be viewed.

One can also visit the Royal Grounds, important residential and ceremonial sites for the Hawaiian royals, the ali’i.

For all three of us, the Junior Ranger program is always one of the highlights. We had the good fortune to speak to Ranger Julia shortly upon arrival who explained more about the program and the features of the site.

We were lucky to be there on a cultural demonstration day and are grateful to the volunteers who give their time to share Hawaiian culture with visitors, and also took the time to speak to us.