Adventure of the Week: Celebrate World Ranger Day

What: World Ranger Day at Chimney Rock State Park.

When: Programs run noon-5:30 p.m. Friday.

Where: Chimney Rock State Park off U.S. 64/74A in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County.

Cost: Included with park admission, which is $13 for adults and $6 for ages 5-15, free for ages 4 and younger. Prices are reduced while the elevator is out of order.

Details: World Ranger Day was started by the International Ranger Federation in 2007 to commemorate rangers killed or injured in the line of duty around the world, said Stephen Tillotson, a park ranger at Chimney Rock State Park, as well as to celebrate the work rangers do to protect our resources. "There are some estimates that there are thousands killed or injured around the world, especially in some countries where rangers face poachers and anti-militia groups," he said.

In honor of rangers worldwide, the state park is working with Chimney Rock LLC to hold special programs and activities on Friday. Kids will have the opportunity to take part in Junior Ranger activities, and the park will show the movie, "The Thin Green Line," about the work rangers do around the world, sometimes under dangerous conditions, to protect plants and animals.

Tillotson said the park first launched the program last year, and accepted donations that were put toward a memorial fund for Jason Crisp, a U.S. Forest Service ranger who was killed in Burke County last year while hunting for a fugitive.

This year, North Carolina state parks has lost two active employees to cancer. Visitors are asked to consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society on World Ranger Day in honor of Casey Rhinehart, park superintendent of Lake Norman State Park, and Mike Duda, radio engineer for the Division of State Parks, who both died during active duty. Donation boxes will be located at Sky Lounge, Cliff Dwellers Gifts, the Old Rock Café and the Indoor Classroom.

The Old Rock Café, just outside the entrance to the park, will donate proceeds from selected meal specials all day long. Popcorn and beverages available for a donation at the movies.

"The Thin Green Line," named after a foundation of same name in 2004, was started by a park ranger from Australia, Tillotson said. "He traveled the world in some of the most challenging parks and made this documentary. Some rangers are lost in gun battles with poachers, some get paid very little and some nothing at all."

While being a ranger in North Carolina isn't typically as dangerous, it can be, Tillotson said. State park rangers wear many hats, from law enforcement, to education, to biologists, firefighters and EMTs.

"The biggest challenge is balancing all the duties," he said. "But one of the best parts of the job is our office — the outdoors. We work in some of the best places in the state. Our job is to share the park with visitors and keep them safe and give them something more to take home with our teaching component."

Schedule of events:

• Noon: "What Does a Park Ranger Do?" Special interview with a park ranger and junior ranger ceremony: Indoor Classroom.

• 12:30 p.m. Viewing of "The Thin Green Line" video (82 minutes): Indoor classroom.

• 2 p.m. Family Discovery Program at Grady's Discovery Den.

• 3 p.m. "What Does a Park Ranger Do?" Special interview with a park ranger and junior ranger ceremony: Indoor classroom.

• 3:30 p.m. Viewing of "The Thin Green Line" video (82 minutes).

• 5 p.m. Q&A with a Ranger at the Old Rock Café.

The Old Rock Café is donating proceeds all day from sales of specials including fried 'mater burger for $8.29, Southern fried chicken salad for $8.99, and "Grady smiles" for $5.49, smiley face chicken nuggets served with sweet potato fries and a drink.

There are also hiking trails to explore on your own, including the newly renovated popular destinations along the Outcroppings Trail — Subway, Grotto, and Pulpit Rock, and the recently re-opened Hickory Nut Falls Trail, a 3/4-mile one-way hike to see the famous 404-foot high waterfall.

Information: Call the park at 828-625-9611 or visit www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Karen Chávez