Fort Fredrica National Monument, Brunswick, Georgia

When we travel, we love to stop at State and National Parks, and to participate in their Jr. Ranger programs.  Last winter we completed over 3 dozen park programs, and one of our very favorites was the Jr. Ranger program at the Fort Fredrica National Monument in southeast Georgia.  When we arrived at this park, we watched their introductory film, and then the wonderful volunteers and ranger in the visitor’s center gave the kids their Jr. Ranger booklets; you can actually get 2 separate Jr. Ranger booklets here – one for the fort, and one called Cultures of the Coast about native coastal tribes, colonists, and the coastal habitats (you can find info. on both programs at the Fort Fredrica site under ‘for kids’ then ‘be a jr ranger’).  Both are fantastic booklets, but the Fort program is exceptional!!!  Subsidized by a grant from the Fort Fredrica Association, this park’s booklets are in color and are interactive, including many 3 dimensional components like pop-ups.   To help the kids get a feel for the time-period of the 1700s, each of the kids got to check out a haversack filled with items to enhance their visit to the park and also to help them complete their booklets.  Included in the haversack were things like a telescope, a compass, an old-fashioned wooden game, and other items.   The kids also were encouraged to borrow tri-cornered hats for the boys and mob caps for the girls.
 
The visitor’s center was very kid friendly, and the volunteer workers and the ranger were all very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.  There were lots of hands-on activities available such as colonial games to play, exhibits, and colonial attire to dress up in that all made for a very enjoyable learning experience!   
 
The grounds are well-kept, and while there is not much left of the original fort (which was established in 1736 by James Oglethorpe), there are many plaques and pictures to help show what the fort would have looked like when it was flourishing. The grounds are full of mature trees, and the river winds past the park making for a beautiful and serene location.
 
Fort Fredrica is located near the coast at Brunswick, Georgia; there are so many great historical and educational (as well as FUN!) sites nearby!  It is a great place to take your family for a weekend getaway, and maybe get a little history lesson in as well as some great family time!  If you are considering a get-away to check out Fort Fredrica, you can find local, family-friendly campgrounds at Woodalls’ Camping Directory that will help make your visit to Brunswick, GA a great one!