Wildlife tourism operator Ceylon Wild has successfully completed its inaugural Junior Ranger Weekend, an immersive two-night programme designed to introduce children aged three to six to nature conservation through hands-on exploration and guided activities in Yala National Park.
Ceylon Wild has concluded the first edition of its Junior Ranger Weekend, a family-focused initiative aimed at fostering early interest in wildlife conservation among young children. The two-night programme, held at Yala National Park, combined structured learning activities with recreational experiences to engage children in the natural world through observation and discovery rather than passive instruction.
The weekend itinerary included several key components designed to build environmental awareness. Participants engaged in guided nature walks, including an early morning "Pajama Bush Walk" where children observed bird activity and collected natural specimens. A guided family safari took participants deeper into the park, with instructors emphasising animal behaviour observation and habitat respect over simple wildlife spotting. Supporting activities included campfire storytelling, stargazing, and nature-based art projects.
According to Indika Nettigama, Founder and Owner of Ceylon Wild, the programme reflects a philosophy that children develop protective instincts toward nature through direct experience rather than theoretical education. "Children protect what they learn to understand and care about, and there is no better classroom for that than the wild itself," Nettigama stated. The weekend concluded with a jungle breakfast and graduation ceremony honouring each participant's experience.
The positive reception to the inaugural event has prompted Ceylon Wild to schedule additional Junior Ranger experiences throughout the year, expanding access to the programme for interested families.
