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Events held in conjuction with National Park Week
The Fort Scott National Historic Site recently concluded a week of events and activities that included a proclamation issued by Gov. Sam Brownback.
The historic site celebrated National Park Week last week with several events and activities.
Holly Baker, chief of interpretation and resource management, said FSNHS staff were "thrilled" to see a declaration from Brownback recognizing April 16-24 as National Park Week in Kansas.
The National Park Service will turn 100 on Aug. 25.
"The National Park Week happens every year to celebrate what parks are doing and raise awareness of national parks," Baker said. "For the centennial year, the National Park Service is trying to garner support across the country. It's nice to have the state of Kansas participating and recognizing the week was going and on and putting their stamp on it."
The proclamation, signed by Brownback on April 15, states that "in celebration of its 100th birthday in 2016, the National Park Service has launched a movement to spread the word about amazing parks, inspirational stories, our country's natural resources, and our diverse cultural heritage."
Baker said the historic site celebrated National Park Week by hosting its annual Civil War Encampment April 16-17 and by welcoming 300 local elementary school students to the fort April 19 to watch Joe Wiegand, a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator, as part of the Every Kid in a Park program.
Additionally, the Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site held its annual Friends Fest April 19 and that event drew "the highest attendance to date," Baker said.
"It's a way to emphasize celebration of National Park Week itself," she said. "The Civil War weekend is a big part of that."
Baker said almost 1,000 people visited the historic site over the weekend of the encampment, including about 750 people on Saturday. She said there were 14 official programs attended by visitors, eight living history stations and more than 100 volunteers who donated more than 2,000 hours of their time throughout the weekend. She said the cannon firing demonstration, attended by about 150 people, was the most popular event.
"It was a really successful weekend," Baker said. "We're really thrilled to have that level of engagement."
Area youth are able to participate in the historic site's Junior Ranger Day. The Centennial edition of the Junior Ranger book was launched on April 16. Students of various ages can complete activities outlined in the booklet, and interactive activities such as combing a horse's tail, scrubbing a shirt on a washboard, designing their own state flag, or handling a hardtack cracker.
Youth who put forth good effort are rewarded with a Junior Ranger badge and special Civil War trading cards.
The Centennial Junior Ranger program will continue through the remainder of 2016.
The site also has a NPS Centennial Junior Ranger booklet and an Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Junior Ranger booklet, each with a distinctive badge.
"Young people can complete the Junior Ranger program to receive the special badge," Baker said.
The Every Kid in a Park program is a presidential initiative that encourages fourth graders and their families to visit NPS sites and other public lands.
The program offers a special one-year pass to fourth graders nationwide, providing free access to national parks, forests and wildlife refuges. The National Park Foundation has made special grants available to encourage youth visitation.
The FSNHS has received a grant to help cover transportation costs for some fourth grade schools groups to visit the site.