Welcome Rangers! What would you like to do today? We have all kinds of activities for you. YouΓÇÖll have lots of fun, and you might even learn something too!
Instructions
As you explore the park, use your mouse to click on anything that looks interesting. You can:
See 3D maps and scenic views of the park;
Explore eight different regions of the park;
Test your knowledge by answering visitorsΓÇÖ questions;
Help researchers with their scientific projects;
Look at all the cool stuff in the Guidebook; there are hundreds of photos, sound recordings, and movies.
For more detailed information about the program, click on the pictures in this handbook.
At the Headquarters
Overview
Hello there rangers! Did you remember to sign the Ranger Roster? Here at the park headquarters, you can choose what youΓÇÖd like to do today.
Instructions
When you sign the Ranger Roster, your game is automatically saved, and so are all the badges you earn!
To go on patrol, click on the door.
To see the map, click on the wall map.
To check your badges, click on the Ranger Badges board.
To see the guidebook, click on the Guidebook.
To see a list of saved games, click on the Ranger Roster.
To exit from the game, click on the Park Exit sign.
Earning Ranger Badges
Overview
As you explore the park, you can earn up to 72 Ranger Badges. If you sign the Ranger Roster, your badges are saved when you exit from the game, ready for the next time you want to play.
Instructions
You can earn up to nine badges in each of the parkΓÇÖs eight regions. Your first badge is at the Junior Ranger level, then comes the Park Ranger level, and if you are really good you can earn a Head Ranger badge! HereΓÇÖs what you do:
To earn badges for Field Skills, click on the binoculars in the patrol vehicle.
To earn badges for Research Skills, click Field Station in the patrol vehicle, or click on the Field Station tent on one of the maps.
To earn badges for Park Knowledge, click Visitor Center in the patrol vehicle, or click on the Visitor Center building on one of the region maps.
To see how many badges you have earned, click on the Ranger Badges board in the park headquarters.
Using the Guidebook
Overview
The guidebook is crammed with interesting information, photos, movies, and sound recordings. Use it to learn fun facts about Yellowstone, then you can earn more badges! You can even print out a page to help with a school report.
Instructions
To open the guidebook, click on the little green guidebook whenever you see it, or on the sign at the bottom of the map.
To choose a topic, click one of the pictures on the Contents page, then click on a name in the list. To search for an entry, type its name in the Starts With: box.
To turn the pages, click the bottom left and right corners.
To see more photos, listen to sound recordings, and watch movies, click on the video, cassette tape, and postcard in the pouch. Click several times, there may be more than one movie or photo!
To mark a page, click its bookmark. To see a list of bookmarks, click the bookmark on the Contents page. Click a name in the list to go straight to that topic.
On Patrol
Overview
HereΓÇÖs the next best thing to visiting the real Yellowstone. Patrol the parkΓÇÖs regions and see wonderful scenery. Take a peek through the binoculars and you might catch a glimpse of some special creatures!
Instructions
If you think youΓÇÖd like to go on patrol, click on the door at the Headquarters.
Next, click on the name of the region you would like to patrol.
When you are on patrol:
To make the vehicle move forward, click FORWARD. To go back to the previous stop, click BACKTRACK. To go to the Field Station or Visitor Center, click their names.
To hear information, click on the CB radio.
To go to a guidebook entry about the stop, click on the Guidebook.
To do a Field Survey, click on the binoculars.
To go back to the map, click on the map.
Using the Binoculars
Overview
Binoculars are a great way to see distant things up close. ItΓÇÖs not a good idea to get close to one of YellowstoneΓÇÖs bears, but binoculars are a safe way to do just that.
Instructions
You can use the binoculars to see scenes from around the park or to do a field survey.
To see scenes of the park, go to one of the eight region maps and click on the binoculars. Then click on any of the smaller binoculars that appear. The name on the sign tells you what you are looking at. To make the small binoculars disappear, click on the big pair in the bottom right corner. You canΓÇÖt do anything else until youΓÇÖve made the small binoculars disappear!
To do a field survey, click on the binoculars in the patrol vehicle. You can earn badges for correct answers!
Using the Map
Overview
The map on the HeadquarterΓÇÖs wall is a 3D, birdΓÇÖs-eye view of the park looking south to the Grand Tetons. As you look at the map, north is at the bottom and south at the top. You can see all the mountains, forests, and lakes around the park. You can see 3D maps of the eight regions of the park too.
Instructions
To see the main map, click on the wall map in the Headquarters.
To see one of the eight region maps, click on its highlighted rectangle. The regionΓÇÖs name appears on the sign at the bottom of the map.
To move to a different region map, click on one of the arrow signs.
To see scenes from around the park, click on the binoculars.
To patrol the region, click on the red truck.
To answer questions and earn badges, click on the Visitor Center building.
To test your knowledge and help a researcher conduct scientific investigations, click on the Field Station tent.
At the Field Station
Overview
The Field Station is where you really get to grips with some scientific work. You can see how much you already know by identifying mystery objects and matching photos to clues. Or you can help a researcher conduct scientific investigations.
Instructions
To go to a Field Station, click on the Field Station tent on one of the region maps, or choose Field Station from the patrol vehicle.
To test your knowledge with X-out, click on the photo that doesnΓÇÖt seem to fit with the others.
To guess the Mystery object, click on the clue buttons and read the clues. Then click on the answer choice that fits the clues.
To try your hand at X-clude, eliminate the photos that donΓÇÖt match the clues.
To help the researcher with a scientific investigation, click on the screen buttons (for more detailed information, choose the Model Activities help screen).
Model Activities
Overview
The Model (research) activities help you answer some puzzling questions about Yellowstone. Why does Yellowstone have all those geysers and hot springs? Why are there so many dead trees in the forests? And why are parts of Yellowstone so dry?
Instructions
There are activities about beaver and elk populations, forest fires, volcanoes, and many other topics. You can even try your hand at making a geyser erupt!
YouΓÇÖll find two different Model activities at the Field Stations in each of the 8 regions of the park. Before you can try your hand at a Model activity, you must first earn badges for X-out, Xclude, and Mystery.
To experiment with one of the Model activities, first read the question. Then, click on the buttons to change some of the conditions and see what happens. Finally, see if you can answer the questions. If you can, you have become a Yellowstone expert and will earn a badge!
At the Visitor Center
Overview
Test your knowledge of the park by answering visitorsΓÇÖ questions at the 8 Visitor Centers. There are questions about YellowstoneΓÇÖs rocks, plants, animals, people, and important places. The more answers you get right, the more badges you earn!
Instructions
To go to a Visitor Center, click on the Visitor Center building on one of the region maps, or choose Visitor Center from the patrol vehicle.
Listen to the visitorΓÇÖs question and then click on the answer you think is correct. If you donΓÇÖt know the answer, try looking in the Guidebook (click on the rangerΓÇÖs guidebook).
To go on patrol, click on the vehicle headlights.
When you are ready to leave, click ΓÇ£IΓÇÖll answer that question later.ΓÇ¥
