To kick off National Park Week, Mammoth Cave National Park rangers will welcome hundreds of youngsters to learn about plants, wildlife and park stewardship during National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday.

“Families work together to learn about the parks and what makes them important,” park spokeswoman Molly Schroer said.

Scheduled activities will begin in the picnic area at 9 a.m. The first activity will teach children about orienteering, the practice of using a compass and coordinates to find a specific location.

At 11 a.m., there will be a scavenger hike in which families can search for wildflowers or signs of wildlife. At 1 p.m., children will create “pinch pots” using an ancient pottery-making technique. At 2 p.m., children can learn hands-on how flowering plants reproduce, and at 3 p.m., there will be a discussion about the diminishing supply of surface water in the park.

There will be several hikes scheduled throughout the day.

At 10 a.m., a park ranger will lead a hike through the woods and discuss park topography.

At 12:45 p.m., a ranger will lead families near the Green River and discuss the river’s history. At 3:30 p.m., children can enjoy an easy walk around one of the park ponds to learn about wetland habitats. To conclude the event, families can attend a special presentation on the park’s biological diversity at the park amphitheater from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

The park will also be available for families to explore on their own, and children can still earn badges at the same time.

“As always, junior rangers are also free to do self-guided things,” Schroer said.

The junior ranger program is technically available any day the park is open – families can pick up a Junior Ranger Adventure Book at the Visitor Center and complete the activities. (If there isn’t a government shutdown, that’s 364 days a year.)

On Saturday, after the children finish their hikes, hunts and learning, they can participate in a ceremony to receive their junior badge. The ceremonies will take place every few hours, at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The goal of the junior rangers program is to impart lessons of environmental stewardship, so children understand the importance of taking care of nature and the parks.

“This is something they can carry on into the future,” Schroer said.

Spending a day at the park might not seem like a lot to an adult, but it can be very impactful for children.

“You always remember your trips as kids,” Schroer said.

Last year, 500 people participated in the junior ranger program. Schroer expects a good turnout this year.

Also on Saturday, the park will offer a free, self-guided Discovery Tour through the cave. The tour is less than a mile long and passes through one of the cave’s largest rooms, the Rotunda. Visitors can pick up tickets for the tour at the Visitor Center.

– For more information, visit nps.gov/maca/plan yourvisit/calendar.

– Follow reporter Caroline Eggers on Twitter @eggers dailynews or visit bgdaily news.com.