16 Oct Marquette Engaging Kids and Canine Travelers
Marquette County Engaging Kids and Canine Travelers
Who says responsible travel can’t be fun? In Marquette County, even kids and dogs get their own adventures designed to protect the places they love to explore.
Destination: Marquette County, MI, United States
Organization: Travel Marquette
Travel Marquette’s Bark Ranger and the Junior Explorer Pass programs are creative, targeted strategies that promote responsible tourism by engaging dogs and children, two key visitor segments, in fun and meaningful ways.
The Bark Ranger program (adapted from a National Park initiative) encourages pet owners to act responsibly when traveling with their dogs. It uses the acronym BARK: Bag waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, Know before you go, to promote best practices for trail etiquette, wildlife protection, and public safety. Visitors who want to make their furry buddy an official BARK Ranger can pledge to explore responsibly and get a free dog bandana by filling out the form on the Bark Ranger website to join the pack. By framing responsible behavior as part of a “ranger” identity, it makes eco-friendly practices more engaging and personal for dog lovers.
Meanwhile, the Junior Explorer Pass is a gamified program for kids and families. Participants visit check-in sites across Marquette County, respond to interactive trivia tied to Leave No Trace principles, and earn rewards: a patch after three check-ins, or an adventure backpack for completing all seven. This turns stewardship education into a playful challenge, making “learning to travel responsibly” into a treasure hunt rather than a lecture.
Together, these programs reach two distinct but key demographics: canine travelers (and their people) and families with children, embedding stewardship habits in a positive, memorable way. By combining incentives, identity, and fun, Travel Marquette turns responsible travel into an experience.
