As I began to prepare for the Colorado conference and wrap up my internship, I got some exciting news…Shenandoah National Park wanted to extend my internship until September 3rd! I accepted, of course, and after the conference...
This week I got to present my third program, a guided hike through our big meadow area. I haven’t done a hiking program yet, so this was a different experience. The program lasts about an hour and...
Now that I feel comfortable working the desk and answering questions, I can also help with our Junior Ranger program. The program involves a booklet that visitors can complete to get their little Shenandoah Junior Ranger badge....
Shenandoah is the largest park near Washington DC, meaning we get a lot of visitors and travelers coming through. On the weekends and holidays it gets extremely busy at our visitor center, and many of the trails...
Now that I’m on a more normal schedule and have most of my programs written out, I’ve had more free time to be able to explore the park. I’ve been trying to hike the most popular hikes...
As the weeks progress, I am gaining more confidence working the front desk and assisting visitors. I now know how to run the cash register, direct visitors toward campgrounds/lodges, and answer simple questions about the park and...
Though I’ve lived in community housing before, it’s always a bit nerve-wracking walking into a new home and greeting people you haven’t met but will be living with for the whole summer. I was placed in a...
Here in Shenandoah, all the interns are treated the same as the full-time rangers. This means we have access to the same resources and have the same duties and authority! Interns are even required to develop and...
My name is Reena Ramos and I’m excited to be working as a park intern for the summer! This last week has been a whirlwind; I arrived back from a class abroad and immediately drove from my...