Children and their families can help the Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrate National Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28.

There will be a variety of free, hands-on activities at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, located at the entrance to the park on U.S. 441 near Cherokee.

Activities will range from ranger-guided nature walks and ecological programs to cultural heritage activities like making dinner bells at a blacksmith shop.

This year’s focus will be based around the theme, “Picture Yourself in a National Park.” Oconaluftee will have a special program planned for Junior Rangers to display their artistic talents, using the park as their inspiration.

Children can earn their Junior Ranger badge by completing three of the specially planned activities.

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