Registration is open for a free local day camp that promises to be fun and educational.

The Vicksburg National Military Park is now accepting registration forms for Junior Ranger Summer Camp. Children ages 8 to 12 can register for the free, weeklong day camp.

“It’s going to be a fun-filled week, but its going to be a learning experience as well,” ranger Nikki Anderson said.

Two camp sessions are planned with one scheduled for Monday, June 20 to Friday, June 24 and the second Monday, July 18 to Friday, July 22. The camp is from 8 a.m. to noon daily.

“We’re going to have a lot of activities the week of camp,” Anderson said.

Campers will go on a guided tour of the park and experience the life of both soldiers and sailors during the war. The children will also learn about cord braiding and weaving, African American and civilian experiences during the war, and how to play an instrument.

“We’ve got another surprise, but we’ll keep that hidden,” Anderson said. “They’re going to have a lot to do.”

Various park rangers from the interpretive staff and guest experts in certain fields will lead the camp. The camp has planned quilting, gardening, blacksmith and musical programs throughout the week with guest leaders like the local Master Gardeners and musicians Nick and Julia Blake.

“We are going to have different presenters coming through whose background is going to be with our themes,” Anderson said.

This is the camp’s sixth year at the park.

“We’ve changed it in the last year,” Anderson said. “We’ve totally revamped it and we’ll still be making changes this year. We’re putting in as many new things to keep the kids interested as possible.”

There is a limit of 20 spaces available for each camp, and children have to be 8 years old by the first day of camp to register.

Campers will be chosen through a lottery system.

“We’ll select randomly,” Anderson said.

The deadline to register is Wednesday, June 1, and those selected will be notified Friday, June 10.

Applications are available in the park’s visitor center, 3201 Clay St., and online at nps.gov/vick/learn/kidsyouth/upload/Jr-Ranger-Camp-Application.pdf.

For more information, call 601-636-0583.