National Public Lands Day 2013: Valley Forge NHP

Followers,

Working to remove a sheet of plastic 

On September 28, 2013,ProRanger Philadelphia participated in National Public Lands Day at Valley Forge National Historical Park. ProRangers Jordan Keiffer, Tia Solomon, Renee Benson. and Jay Copper attended the event, which gathered volunteers from around the area and put them to work in the park. After arriving at the park, the ProRangers and approximately 15 other volunteers were assigned to the Catfish Island clean-up crew. Catfish Island is a small island located on the Schuylkill River, which is only accessible via boat. After receiving a morning briefing from group leader Ranger Bungard, we headed out to the boat launch, and began to shuttle volunteers to the island.

ProRanger Copper and a volunteer working to remove a metal drum.

Upon arrival at Catfish Island, we assisted in cleaning up the debris and garbage that finds its way onto the small strip of land. Over the course of two hours, we were able to find everything from fishing poles to car tires. Many of these items were buried beneath years of soil deposits, and some items were even tangled in tree roots. With the help of the volunteers (and some critical thinking), the majority of the buried garbage was able to be removed. Although we had limited resources, we were able to use the ideas of other group members and the items found on the island, to extricate the garbage. All of the garbage that was found on the island was deposited into bags, which will be picked up by park employees in the coming days. For larger items, we created multiple piles that will also be removed.

ProRanger Benson collecting tires!

At the conclusion of the day, we all gathered around the island's access point and assisted as volunteers were shuttled back to the parking area. Once all of the volunteers were accounted for, we began to pack up for the day. Under the instruction of Ranger Bungard, we were able to help in bringing the boat out of the water, and reloading it onto the parks boat trailer. This was a great experience, as only one of the ProRangers had previously been involved in boat operations.

National Public Lands Day is an awesome event that allows park visitors to get involved in the maintenance of the park, and volunteer for the day. It is amazing how much work can be accomplished when several groups work together. Thank you to Valley Forge National Historical Park, and all of the Rangers and volunteers that made National Public Lands Day a success!

One more bag!

You never know what you'll find!

ProRanger Solomon greeting volunteers!

 

At home on the water!

Thank you for reading!

Jay Copper

Overall Summer at Valley Forge!!!!

My summer at Vally Forge was an awesome experience that I will never forget! Majority of my time there consisted of training and gaining knowledge that can not only be used in the field of Law Enforcement, but are beneficial in everyday life. Unlike most of my other internships, I had the opportunity to have a more clear perspective on Law Enforcement. I was completely immersed in the Law Enforcement division, which allowed me to think more like the official I will soon become. Not only did I receive certifications, I was able to help visitors and educate them about the ProRanger program. The 4th of July was a prime event that allowed me to advocate fire protection and offer information about the daily tasks of a Park Ranger.

Throughout this summer, I was able to participate in investigations, interviewing, tactical training of clearing buildings, searches, frisks, and transport of subjects. At Valley Forge, I learned how to write work orders and learn the procedures of statement forms, first aid templates, and photo logs. The Rangers encouraged me to practice filling out written warnings and citations. I also spent time on surveillance and creating a reference log consisting of regulation signs. I even had the chance to assist with a vehicle accident by capturing photos of the vehicles involved and directing traffic. A lot of my academy training came in handy this summer and Valley Forge offered me the experience that will benefit my overall performance as a future Law Enforcement Ranger.



I achieved my goal of hiking and/or biking every trail at Valley Forge! Along my hikes, I was observational and reported any illegal activity or obstructing objects on the trails. I learned from every Ranger at Valley Forge and I was offered insightful information that will become resourceful as I take the next step to my future career. At Valley Forge, I picked up skills that I was not able to learn in a textbook. This summer, I really gained a hands on experience as a Law Enforcement Ranger and I am extremely grateful!

Valley Forge-Week 5

This week was Hazwoper training! This course focused on hazardous material that can be harmful to not only humans but to the environment and wildlife as well. I learned about many different chemicals and gases that may be difficult to detect. Even chemicals that we cannot see or smell may still be hazardous. The course taught me how to handle hazardous material and what to do in an emergency situation where there is either a leak or spill. The guidebooks were extremely helpful when trying to identify chemicals in certain categories as well as potential health risks when exposed.

The class also covered PPE like gas masks and how to properly dress and disassemble a HazMat suit. The instructor discussed the different types of filters that can fit on your mask as well. During one of the Hazwoper refreshers, Ranger Tim Oh volunteered to demonstrate the HazMat suit.

 Members of the class were issued binders and other texts composed of information regarding gases, acids, flammable material, and other chemical substances. There were quizzes and group exercises to help the class become more familiar with handling hazardous material.

Through this training, I learned that labeling containers, and properly disposing of hazardous waste is essential in the work environment. With this education on hazardous substances, I am now more cautious even when carrying out daily tasks at home. Overall, the course was informative and gaining this knowledge has become very resourceful even outside of the work environment.

Tia

Valley Forge-Week 4

Seasonal training was an orientation of the park, meeting division chiefs, and learning more about park operations. Seasonal employees from almost every division were present, and I thought that was pretty neat because I got a chance to meet other colleagues within the park. Each division prepared a presentation about their daily functions and responsibilities in the park. I thought it was interesting learning about the natural resource mission to manage the population of deer who reside here at Valley Forge.

The two-day orientation briefed us on the park's history, employee expectation, and operational leadership. It also consisted of defensive driving training and fire protection, which I thought was really fun. Defensive driving had so many different obstacle courses that we all had to successfully complete. The serpentine obstacle in reverse was kind of tricky because I wasn’t used to relying on solely rear view mirrors. I passed and made it through without running over any cones! The fire protection training was extremely fun! The fire interns demonstrated the proper way to use an extinguisher and allowed each of us to put out a fire on our own. Although I had never used a fire extinguisher before that day, I thought it was a pretty straight forward task that everyone should know how to execute. For operational leadership, Ranger Waterman discussed the different methods of risk assessment and promoted the use of PPE.

Preparing to put out a Fire!

The other half of seasonal training consisted of us getting to know the park through tours at the visitor center and the trolley, which shuttles visitors around Valley Forge’s significant historical areas. At the visitor center, I had the opportunity to tour through the archive volt full of original material, some owned by George Washington, himself. Having the chance to actually read Washington’s original letters was by far the coolest opportunity! There were authentic muskets, swords, dining items, and event cosmetic materials that ladies would have used in that era. The trolley bus tour was another exciting part of the tour. The guide was extremely informative and enthusiastic about telling history stories here at Valley Forge. We had the chance to look through a soldier’s hut and tour Washington’s Headquarters which is where he resided in that time period.

Tia

Valley Forge-Week 3

            National Trials Day was this week and I biked over to the North side of Valley Forge National Historical Park, at Betzwood. Betzwood is a popular place for visitors to kayak, hike the river trial, and bike. This particular event took place there and many different organizations set up stations to offer information about various programs to visitors. There were volunteer groups dedicating their time to help preserve the natural resources of the park. The park volunteer groups held programs such as the Weed Warriors who pick invasive plants or weeds. Other groups biked along trials or took tours through the north side on foot. Organizations under tents conducted education programs like bike repair and gave away free equipment such as helmets. There were really cool display tents that were specific to natural resources. There was a display of many different species that reside here at the park. On display were crayfish, raccoon fur, turtle shells, and even fawn skulls.

            National Trials Day was such a fun event! One period of that day, I worked with Ranger Tim Oh, conducting traffic through Betzwood. At other times, I did foot patrol around the area, learning about the programs offered at the different stations. One station had nurses conducting free blood pressure checks and other stations promoted their organizations through brochures. I thought that the Elk club station was pretty cool as well.

            During that week, I also did a ride along with Ranger Hackwelder to Hopewell Furnace, our sister Park. Hopewell Furnace is historically known for their iron plantation. Its also a really cool place for hiking and enjoying the natural resources that would have been present during its operation in the 18^th and 19^th century. 

It was neat visiting the quarters and learning about the farm animals that would have resided at the plantation during that time.

Tia

Valley Forge-Week 2

This week, bike patrol training was a lot of fun! Chief Tinkham administered the class and Rangers from Independence participated in the training as well. It took me a while to get adjust to a mountain bike with the different gears but I eventually got the hang of it. Throughout that week, I became accustomed to which gears worked best for biking up or down steep hills, or even flat surfaces. Learning that aspect of the training was extremely influential in preserving energy and making roads or trails less difficult to peddle through.

Everyone was extremely helpful and we all practiced the bike courses together. Everyone was offering suggestions on how to get through this one particular course that required you to bike inside a box surrounded by cones. Circling a total of six times inside a ten-foot square box was pretty challenging.

  By far the most difficult challenge was the steep hills that we biked up almost each day during the entire course. I believe one day out of that week, we biked 17 miles over muddy hills, gravel roads, and grassy surfaces. It was a really good workout that was pretty physically challenging which helped me develop a higher endurance level.

 The training was split between in-class lectures and outside bike techniques that included riding up and down curbs, biking down hills and steps, and learning how to dismount from a bicycle. We were taught how to use safety precautions and necessary equipment appropriate for bike patrolling. The Chief also covered the basis of law enforcement technique when making contacts on a bike. During the course, we were conditioned on changing out tires and inspecting the bikes before going out on patrol. Maintaining the bikes in decent condition is also an essential aspect of bike patrol, so keeping them clean throughout the training was an important task.

 We biked the Joseph Plumb Martin trial and the Chapel trail which had a steep hill that was the most difficult to peddle through. We biked over by Pawling’s Farm and came across the gigantic Sycamore tree that has been standing for decades at the Walnut Hill Spring House. It is by far my favorite tree because the branches are so huge and the width of the entire structure is extremely impressive.

Kind Regards,

Tia

Valley Forge-Week 1

I am having a fantastic time at Valley Forge National Historical Park!!! Residing so close to the area, I've never realized how huge and scenic the park really was. Getting lost a few times has helped me become a little more familiar with the historical locations and recreational areas here. I have already began to work on a project which focuses on park regulations. I have learned so much in just the first week and all the Rangers here are really kind, generous, and personable. 

It was at Valley Forge National Historical Park that I witnessed a court proceeding for the first time. The LE Rangers briefed me on court procedure while contributing to my training on park regulation and security. I helped prepare for Ranger bike patrol training throughout the week and I was also introduced to traffic radar with Ranger Hackwelder. I learned that running traffic radar takes true patience and can become tedious at times :-) Taking a three mile hike along the River Trail exposed me to the beautiful wildlife and natural resources at the park. I am now able to distinguish the difference between stinging nettle from other unique plants that grow on this trail. 

During that hike, Ranger Hackwelder and I came across nature at its best, a huge chunk of a fully grown tree that broke off unto the trial. That experience allowed me to learn what to do when such a natural accident unfolds. The best part of the hike was getting fairly close to the flock a geese and their adorable babies. I was surprised by the large amount of geese that surrounded us near the bank of the river, they were pleasing to watch.

Respectfully,

Tia 

C & O Canal Shooting Range

I had one of the most exciting experiences of my life! Here at the C & O Canal, my supervisors Brad and Josh gave Lita and I the opportunity to shoot at their range. Before hand, Brad went over the most important procedure, safety. He explained how each and every instrument attached to the weapon worked and he even took the 9mm's apart to give us a better understanding of how its all connected.

Brad allowed us to put them together and take them apart several times in order for us to get comfortable with handling the weapon. Today I learned how to clean a weapon, check for bullets, load magazines, and properly carry it. I had a lot of fun handling it and I was interested in learning about the weapon throughout the entire day. Being as though I had never handled a gun before, I was a bit anxious when we had arrived at the range, but I had confidence in my supervisors because they were very knowledgeable. After assessing my performance at the shooting range today, I realized just how much I have left to learn. I also know that practice makes perfect and now that I have the basic idea of how to use such a weapon, I can not wait for the next visit at the range!

Today was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. Here at the C & O Canal, our supervisors Brad and Josh, took Lita and I to their shooting range. Before actually handling the 9mm, Brad went over the safety procedures and he also got us familiar with the weapon. He demonstrated ways to hold the weapon and he even took it apart to give us an idea on how everything is connected before and after one pulls the trigger.

Tia's Experience at C & O Canal

I’m having such a great time at C & O Canal because I’m getting exposure to the law enforcement aspects of the National Park Service. I really enjoy the scenery and environment of the park, I’m not really used to much of the natural resources here that this park has to offer. Lately, Lita and I have been biking on the C & O Canal trail and interacting with its friendly visitors. We also have the opportunity to do ride-alongs with the law enforcement officers, giving us the chance to learn more about the park. Our Supervisor, Josh, has been immensely instrumental in our exposure to the visitors and the regulations of the park which we must try to enforce. The ride-alongs really help because the LE Officers familiarizes us with certain areas. The C & O Canal is over 180 miles long so I’m learning something new each day by patrolling many different sections. A few days ago, some of my fellow ProRangers and I went on a detail to work for the Manassas 150th anniversary of its Civil War Battlefield. It was quite an experience because I met so many different National Park Service employees from parks all over. Although it was very hot for those few days that we were there, I had a great time. I was very happy to see a lot of familiar faces from leadership camp like LE Supervisor Dave Ballam, the Chief of NCR, Will Reynolds, and my fellow ProRangers. My Experience here in DC/MD/VA has been a blast!

GWMP Auto Shop Training Week 3

George Washington Memorial Parkway is such a magnificent place! My first two weeks were a blast, shadowing superintendents, attending meetings, and going through the tours of each and every individual park within the site. Not only am I learning that D.C. is a very diverse city, their parks are as well! Along the GWMP there are several parks which all have unique environments. Here I have the opportunity to not only experience woodland areas and its natural resources, I get the chance to experience my home away from home, with its urban settings. The photographs that are displayed depict my awesome exposure of the auto shop within the maintenance facility. Now into my third week at GWMP, I have learned so much about the details of how such unique divisions play an important role in maintaining such a significant Parkway. This large site also obtains a huge variety of roles under each branch of the NPS. Training with one of the mechanic specialist, Fabian, was such a treat!

This was my opportunity to do hands on work which was very gratifying in the end. The auto shop mechanics were truly helpful and patient, while I was underneath a flush truck changing oil filters. My partner and I also drained the oil from the truck and greased areas behind the wheels. Yesterday when I spent most of day learning a skill that was never introduced to me, I felt proud because I can take that knowledge and someday apply it.