Did you know that the Overmountain Victory NHT has its own Junior Ranger program?With a 330-mile Commemorative Motor Route, a network of disconnected hiking trails, and a variety of site partners along the trail, the Junior Ranger book is a great way to tie your adventures together! Just as the Overmountain Men journeyed hundreds of miles over several weeks to and from the Battle of Kings Mountain, this program is designed to be done as you are exploring the Overmountain Victory NHT however you are able to. You may print the following pages of activities. Once completed, the booklet can be submitted three different ways for the prize: 1. Submit your completed Junior Ranger book to your local participating partner site. 2. Mail your completed Junior Ranger book to our headquarters at 338 New Pleasant Road, Gaffney, SC 29341. 3. Email scans or photos of your completed Junior Ranger book to ovvi_information@nps.gov. This book is designed for ages 6 and up with increasing difficulty levels with older ages. Just as the Overmountain Men worked together during their journey down the trail, we encourage cooperation for the younger Junior Rangers on any activities they might find difficult. 
The Gathering has Begun!It is September 1780, and Patriots from across the frontier are gathering to stop British Major Patrick Ferguson and chase him out of the backcountry. Choose your leader from the map (the names in yellow circles), sign your enlistment papers below, and learn what your terms of service are:I, _____________________, under command of Colonel _________________, agree to serve until completion of my service:6 years and younger: visit 1 site on the OVNHT and complete 4 of the activities below.Under 12 years: Visit 1 site on the OVNHT and complete 7 of the activities below. 12 years old or older: visit 2 sites of the OVNHT and complete all activities. 
Sharp EyesTraveling through the frontier can be treacherous, especially if you are not aware of your surroundings. See how many complete "BINGO"s you can find while traveling along the OVNHT.Natural Resources are things that occur in nature without the assistance of humans, such as trees, animals, and streams. These are the items that help create scenic views. Natural and cultural resources are protected by the National Park Service and other agencies. 
Leave Your RecordThe written records from those who traveled down the trail, such as journals and letters, are the main way we know what happened along the trail in 1780. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is 330 miles long and includes plenty to experience as it stretches through four states.Leave your own written record of what you experienced along the trail as you followed the footsteps of the Patriot frontiersmen! 
Leave only footprints, take only memories Keep Your Powder DryAs nearly 1,000 Patriots gathered to leave Sycamore Shoals, they received 500 pounds of gunpowder from Mary Patton. Mary was a local woman who learned how to make gunpowder from her father. This large amount of gunpowder was rare and precious on the frontier, and had to be kept dry if it was to be useful in the Patriot long rifles.Mary's gunpowder was made of the three key ingredients of gunpowder, all found locally in the Overmountain settlements: 
After a lengthy process, the raw ingredients gathered by Mary Patton were turned into gunpowder, but only if mixed in the proper amounts in her kettles. The formula for Mary's gunpowder was: 10% (0.1) sulfur, 15% (0.15) charcoal, 75% (0.75) salt peter. If Mary is needing to make 500 pounds of gunpowder for the Overmountain Men, how much of each ingredient will she need? Use multiplication and percentages and show your work in the box below. Example: If Mary was wanting to make 5 pounds of cornmeal, the ratio is 85% (0.85) corn and 15% (0.15) salt: 5lbs x 0.85 = 4.25 pounds corn 5lbs x 0.15 = 0.75 pounds salt Pack Light and Move FastEach frontiersman had to carry what he needed to survive the wilderness and fight in battle. See if you can find all the items needed to continue traveling through this book and down the trail!
Decoding the MessageUse a brochure for the OVNHT to decode the clues and see where Patrick Ferguson has made camp!LIMATII (Hint) Army or fighting force ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _1__ ___ SIBHRTI (Hint) Loyalist and Tory Allies ___ ___ ___ _9__ ___ ___ ___ SILYSLATO (Hint) Sided with the British ___ _6__ ___ _10__ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ BLAPLMEC (Hint) Commander of Overmountain Men ___ ___ _5__ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ GURFNESO (Hint) Led the Loyalists ___ ___ ___ _3__ _7__ ___ ___ _2__ VESEIR (Hint) 1st Governor of Tennessee _4__ ___ ___ _11__ ___ ___ CALNILROWS (Hint) British Commander in the south ___ ___ ___ _8__ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ FOLLEGNIR (Hint) Patriot firearm (two words) ___ ___ _12__ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Now that you have un-scrambled the words, find the letters that have stars. To decode the message below, put each starred letter into its numbered box. (TWO WORDS)
Many Paths to one BattleThe Overmountain Men were just one of the groups who took part in the pursuit of Patrick Ferguson. All along the trail, groups of Patriot militia joined the growing force of fighters:Patriots from North Carolina's Yadkin Valley met the Overmountain Men at Quaker Meadows on September 30th, A large force of North and South Carolinians joined the army at the Cowpens on October 6th, Even men from Georgia caught up with the army and helped chase Ferguson and his Loyalists. Below are the names and stories of young Patriots who joined the growing army as it traveled down the trail. Using their stories, find which trail each needs to follow to join the Overmountain Men and pursue Patrick Ferguson. Place their letter in the open spot at the start of each trail. A. Thomas Price 14 years old, came from the western frontier under Colonel Shelby and traveled all the way to Kings Mountain B. William Conner 15 years old, came with Major Winston from North Carolina and joined the army at Quaker Meadows. C. Joel Darcy 15 years old, came from Georgia to assist Colonel Williams and met the Patriot force at Cowpens. 
Friend of Foe?Once the Overmountain Men and other Patriots surrounded Patrick Ferguson and the Loyalist camp, it was important to tell the two sides apart. Most men wore no uniforms, but placed identification in their hats:- The Patriots, also called "Whigs," wore pieces of white paper in their hats. - The Loyalists, also called "Tories," wore sprigs of evergreen branches in their hats. During the battle, gunsmoke and trees made it hard to see who was on which side. Can you think of another way for soliders to distinguish themselves from their enemy? Remember that there were not stores to go purchase goods from. They were out in the wild!
Long Rifle or Musket?Historians believe that one of the reasons the Patriot militia defeated the Loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain was the use of their long rifles. Many of the Loyalsits carried muskets. Below are some pros and cons for each weapon.Using skip counting, multiplication, or division, complete the statement in each block. Does you "militia math" pass muster? Compare these two firearms. Which would you rather carry into battle?
Militia Math Questions: 1. The long rifle fired accurately ______ times as far as the musket. 2. The British musket could fire _____ times faster than the long rifle. 3. Patriots could get _____ times as many rifle balls as the Loyalists could for the musket. YOU CHOOSE! Would you rather use the long rifle or the musket? ____________ Why? _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 
Overmountain Ranger Service RecordCheck off the items you have completed.___ Activity 1 - The Gathering Has Begun! ___ Activity 2 - Sharp Eyes ___ Activity 3 - Leave Your Record ___ Activity 4 - Keep Your Powder Dry ___ Activity 5 - Pack Light and Move Fast ___ Activity 6 - Decoding the Message ___ Activity 7 - Many Paths to One Battle ___ Activity 8 - Friend or Foe? ___ Activity 9 - Long Rifle or Musket? AND ___ Visit a historic site along the OVNHT The Junior Ranger Pledge:I, a Junior Ranger of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, do promise to continue my service whenever I am able; to explore and learn about nature and history, to help protect natural and cultural resources, and to share the story of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. |
Last updated: March 5, 2025