Cape Hatteras

The other day my family and I went to see a couple of light houses while we are in North Carolina for vacation. While we were there we found out that we could get an activity badge as long as we complete the Junior Seashore Ranger Program. On top of that we would be able to get a Junior Seashore Ranger pin.

My mother thought that it would be a great idea to do this so that my 3 sisters, who are also Girl Scouts, (Brownie, Junior, and Cadette) and I could learn more about the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

On the way up the lighthouse I discovered that the lighthouse keeper had a lot more responsibility than I first thought. He not only had to turn the light on at night, but he also had to write reports, clean the lighthouse, and watch for shipwrecks. The keeper did this for very little pay at all. However, he did have help from his family and at least 2 assistant keepers.
I also learned from a ranger that Cape Hatteras was moved a little ways from the shore on a train that was specially built just for the lighthouse because the water was damaging it.

After finishing the activity booklet that was required I learned about the animals that lived on and around the beach. The booklet also taught me about how to identify and escape a rip current.
I went to a ranger once I was finished with the requirements of the program and I had to recite the Junior Seashore Ranger Pledge.

As a Junior Ranger I pledge to:
-Keep the seashore litter free
-Never feed wild animals
-Stay out of protected nesting areas
-Be safe wheb swimming
-Become a Junior Ranger at other national parks and
-Tell everyone what a great time I had at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

If any of you decide to come to North Carolina I extremely recommend visiting the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. The Rangers there are very friendly and are happy to answer any of your questions. It is a long trek up but the view is well worth it!

Fact: There are 257 steps in Cape Hatteras.