Just for Kids

The Tongass is a Children's Forest!

As of July 2011, the Tongass National Forest has become the largest National Forest committed to serving youth and providing opportunities for youth to be involved with stewardship, conservation education, and having fun in the out of doors.  Imagine a coastal rainforest, wet, mossy, teeming with life, and –intact.  Pull on your rubber boots, we are going on a hike-to get to know the Tongass!

Agents of Discovery is a mobile game where you must move to play. You are a secret agent working with an animal guide to solve challenges on a mission. As you move to play, you will unlock hidden challenges based on your location. Luckily finding our Agents of Discovery page is super easy, all you gotta do is click the photo above or click here. Good luck agents!

Agents of Culture Mission 49: Journey to Alaska's Past Find challenges hidden throughout the museum to learn about the history and culture of the 49th state, Alaska! 

Partners Make the World Go ‘Round

One of the strongest links in the Children’s Forest are the links between partners and the 8 Ranger Districts. Currently the Tongass Children’s Forest boasts 10 partners that have provided philosophical and fiscal support for projects. Our partners help us incubate our ideas and they help us make our ideas reality.   Without partners  our citizen science would not get off the ground,  boardwalks and bridges would not be built, and a great many youth would never step foot on public land.  Thanks, partners, you make the World Go ‘Round!

Calling all 4th Graders! Get your FREE Every Kid Outdoors pass today!

The new Every Kid Outdoors program begins September 1 and goes through August 2019. Get your FREE pass here.

Tongass Junior Ranger Booklets

The Tongass National Forest boasts two Junior Ranger Programs, one specifically for Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and one for the entire Tongass National Forest.

Both Junior Ranger programs are predicated on physically being on the Forest. Certificates and badges cannot be awarded without first obtaining a Ranger signature in the booklet on site. Booklets completed without this signature cannot be processed.

Please do not mail in your packet to the Tongass- we want to make sure your experience on the Forest is authentic.

Those wishing to receive your Tongass National Forest Junior Ranger booklet before arriving on the Forest by cruise ship may request them through the Tongass Webmaster. But remember, in order to receive your Junior Ranger certificate and badge you must have a ranger review your completed booklet. The Mendenhall Junior Ranger booklet is only available at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and can not be mailed out in advance.

Mission Statement

A Children’s Forest provides a place where:

• Youth can participate in stewardship, research and education projects to develop skills in communications, leadership, and problem solving;
• Youth and families can participate in programs to learn how to explore a forest setting.
• Young people are provided opportunities to participate in projects that integrate social, economic, educational, and environmental dimensions in order that they may be future stewards and decision makers for the earth’s shared resources.