The National Park Service and Temple University will be presenting a workshop on USA Jobs on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 4:30-6:30 in Room 300 A/B of Tuttleman Hall on the Main Campus.  

This is to prepare in advance for the event that applications for the upcoming ProRanger Cohort 4 will be accepted through the USA Jobs system.  There is no cost to attend this workshop.

ProRangers gather to cheer on Temple Owls!

On Saturday, October 20, 2012, ProRangers, SLETP students, Temple staff and NPS staff all gathered for a pre-game tailgate at Lincoln Financial Field prior to the Temple-Rutgers football game.

Temple University President Richard M. Englert stopped by to chat with students and pose for a photo.

There was fun, food and a friendly game of frisbee.

Our own Jess Cooper stopped by to play with the Temple Diamond Marching Band.

ProRangers cheered for the Owls!

Look for more photos on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ProRangerProgram).  

ProRangers Assist at Special Events!

ProRanger friends and followers,

Recently, several ProRangers took part in multiple special events throughout the Northeast and National Capital Regions. On the weekend of September 8th, ProRangers Jenn Pflugfelder, Renee Benson, Mark Clarke, Meaghan Bauder, Jay Copper, and Wayne Lamb were detailed to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine for their annual Star-Spangled Banner Weekend and Defenders Day event. Defenders Day commemorates the defense of Baltimore from the British on September 13-14, 1814. During the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner from an American truce ship in the Patapsco River. Scott's song would later become the official National Anthem on March 3, 1931. This year marked the 198th Anniversary of the defense of Baltimore and the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

During the Defenders Day event, ProRangers conducted a variety of tasks ranging from parking vehicles, welcoming visitors, and securing the fireworks safety zone. These duties were all necessary to insure that the event was enjoyable for all, and that visitors remained safe during the event. Following an afternoon rain-shower hours before the event, visitors returned to Fort McHenry to witness several speakers and a spectacular fireworks display. The event also included a tactical demonstration by the Fort McHenry Guard and the Fort McHenry Fife and Drum Corps, as well as the firing of National Guard Howitzers.

ProRangers Clarke, Lamb and Benson with Ranger Steve Lowe

 The weekend following the Fort McHenry event, Prorangers once again travelled to work a weekend detail. This weekend, ProRangers Renee Benson, Jay Copper, Mark Clarke, and Wayne Lamb assembled in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Our mission for this weekend was to assist the staff at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park with their Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemorative event.

 The Battle of Harpers Ferry took place September 13-15, 1862. Led by Major General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Confederate troops seized the Union Garrison at Harpers Ferry. This Battle was part of General Robert E. Lee's Special Orders 191, which played a major role in his first invasion of the North. The surrender of 12,700 Union troops at Harpers Ferry is the largest surrender of Union troops during the Civil War, and the second largest surrender of Federal forces in United States history.



 

ProRangers with Harpers Ferry Staff

ProRanger Clarke directing traffic

ProRanger Benson directs a vehicle into the lot, as a shuttle bus takes visitors to Bolivar Heights

 While at Harpers Ferry, ProRangers were assigned to the Parking Crew at the Caviler Heights Visitor Center. ProRangers and Park Staff were responsible for directing traffic into the parking area, and then directing them into an open section of the parking lot. As the crowd began to grow, the Parking Team had to open and close parking areas and insure that all visitors were parked in a safe and orderly fashion. In addition to our parking duties, ProRangers assisted Law Enforcement Rangers at traffic barricades in Lower Town, and assembled/disassembled barricades and coned traffic patterns.

Antietam National Battlefield
 

Following our Saturday detail at Harpers Ferry, ProRangers Renee Benson and Jay Copper traveled to nearby Antietam National Battlefield for their Civil War 150th event. Located a mere 20 miles from Harpers Ferry, the Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862, days after the capture of Harpers Ferry. Considered to be a tactical draw, Antietam was the single bloodiest one-day battle of the Civil War. 23,000 causalities (dead, missing, wounded) were recorded at Antietam. Although both forces held their ground during the battle, Confederate forces were forced to retreat South following Antietam, allowing President Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

During the 150th Anniversary event, ProRangers Benson and Copper were stationed at various locations to assist with parking and visitor safety. Due to the large crowds at Antietam, shuttle bus services and additional parking areas were required in order to allow visitor access. In turn, several National Park Service employees and volunteers were needed at each bus stop and parking area to insure safety. ProRangers also provided answers to visitor questions and directed them to the event areas.

 The last few weekends of National Park Service special events have provided the ProRangers with priceless experience that will be extremely valuable in the future. Special events always pose a unique challenge to NPS personnel, and working them is always extremely rewarding. In addition to the practical skills learned "on the ground", the ProRangers were also exposed to the Incident Command System and the various functions of an Incident Management Team. These ICS skills are fundamental to the planning and implementation of NPS events, and will continue to be used by ProRangers throughout their careers.

We would like to thank all of the National Park Service personnel and volunteers that made our attendance at these special events possible. Without the cooperation of these excellent partner parks, the ProRanger program would not be successful. Opportunities such as these are a huge factor in the success of the program, and truly make it a "one of a kind" experience.

 Thank you all for continuing to follow the ProRanger blog. The next few weeks hold more exciting stories as ProRangers continue to recruit new candidates here at Temple University!

 
Until next time,

Jay Copper

 

 

Week 10: Resource Management

Week 10: Resource Management,  Pt. 2

This week I spent some more time with the department of Resource Management; they deal specifically with environmental affairs within the park. I was welcomed by Ranger Sarah Koenig who took me across the battlefield as we tested several water courses flowing through the park. We tested the water in these creeks and streams for several variables, including oxygen levels, nitrogen content, and temperature. Each of these factors help the National Park Service determine the cleanliness of their watercourses and how well they can sustain local wildlife. I was impressed to know that many of the creeks and streams that flow through Gettysburg are improving in their overall quality and support a diverse ecosystem of fish and reptiles. Throughout the day with Ranger Koenig I also learned more about the local plant-life within the park. We even took time to eat some wine-berries right off the bush! She also pointed out several examples of invasive species of plants throughout the park. These species, while appearing harmless, actually pose significant risks to native plants within the park. These invasive species also interfere with biologists attempts to preserve the historic appearance of the park as it did at the time of the battle in 1863. Despite the best efforts of Resource Management to curtail them, many of these invasive plants continue to find their way into the park.
 

          I also had the opportunity to explore       “Lost Avenue” with Chief Ranger of Law Enforcement Ryan Levins. Lost Avenue is not a road but a clearing with several Civil War monuments from decades ago. These monuments were placed here by Civil War veterans in accordance with park regulations stating that monuments could only be placed where their historic units were located. At the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, these units were located far to the rear of where the major fighting took place. As a result, veterans were forced to place their monuments in this out-of-the-way location. Since the monuments were established along Lost Avenue, they gradually became forgotten and remain hidden at the far corner of the battlefield. Surrounded by private property and without any easy means of access, “Lost Avenue” remains an isolated stretch of land protected by the National Park Service. In many ways it is a hidden jewel, holding a unique presence, far-removed from the major trails and roadways of the battlefield. This particular day, the sunlight glistened through the tress and the woods were largely silent, creating a tranquil stillness across “Lost Avenue.” I was impressed by this ambiance, as well as the detail and craftsmanship that went into these long-forgotten monuments.

Around the same time that I was exploring Lost Avenue, the Law Enforcement Rangers discovered evidence of digging within the park near Culp's Hill. Gettysburg is occasionally the target of souvenir hunters who cross the battlefield looking for war relics, such as bullets, buttons, and other items leftover from the battle. Chief Ranger for Law Enforcement Ryan Levins and I went out to mark the dozen spots where the relic-hunter was digging. Ranger Levins showed me how he set up the investigation, mapped the area of the dig, and notified Resource Management about it. Battlefield relics are a big business both in Gettysburg and across the United States, leading some people to scrounge for them on battlefields across the country. Not only does relic hunting damage the park's grounds, but it also disrespects the park's historical integrity and its role as a memorial to Civil War soldiers.

            Overall, my time with Resource Management reminded me of how much detail goes into preserving the environmental integrity of the park. Issues like water-management, protecting lost monuments, and preserving the battlefield from relic hunting are key components of the National Park Service and important for me to learn about as a future ranger. Law Enforcement Rangers help investigate any environmental or cultural damages to the park and work with Resource Management to create solutions for them. This week really reinforced for me how small minutia often makes up key components of the park; for instance slight differences in watercourses' temperature can mark the difference between life and death for many plants and animals inhabiting them. Also, if a small instance of relic hunting is not investigated, it may open the park up to more damaging instances of digging for souvenirs. For this reason, Law Enforcement Rangers need to continuously coordinate with Resource Management, for they often hold valuable information that can keep the park in pristine condition.

Gettysburg Week 8-9: Law Enforcement

Gettysburg National Military Park
Week 8-9: Law Enforcement

The past two weeks I have spent with law enforcement at Gettysburg, where I have learned a great deal more about the details that make a police department work. One day was spent exploring the support groups that assist law enforcement agencies in their everyday functions. Chief Ranger of Law Enforcement, Ryan Levins, took me out to Cumberland County Police Headquarters where I got to meet the police dispatchers and see the county prison. Dispatch is responsible for receiving both civilian and law enforcement calls, entering the data into their computer system, and then issuing directives to the police as needed. The dispatch workers provide an invaluable service, which includes four computer screens, several filing cabinets, three telephones, and piles of paperwork. Nevertheless, each dispatcher was cool under pressure and able to juggle all of these different resources to get police where they needed to go. 

Another day I spent with Law Enforcement Ranger John Sherman as we monitored traffic for speeding. Ranger Sherman explained to me how such “speed traps” were set up. First one must select a location where oncoming and outgoing traffic can be monitored and the squad-car can be concealed from drivers. After choosing a position along a busy stretch of road traveling through the park, the morning traffic brought several speeders our way. Ranger Sherman selected one speeder for a ticket after they were traveling over 18 mph over the posted 25 mph speed limit. I was fascinated with how much detail went into a basic traffic stop. Ranger Sherman explained the many factors to consider, such as selecting when and where to pull someone over, keeping an eye on the driver and making sure you can observe their hands, calling in the license plate and driver’s license to dispatch, filling out the ticket, and interacting with the driver in a professional manner throughout. This work continued long after the driver received their ticket and was on their way. At the end of our shift, Ranger Sherman then had to process the ticket on a computer and in a log book, then file the ticket receipts in two separate folders for future reference. By the end of it all, a single ticket took around forty-five minutes of our day to complete from the start of the stop to filing the ticket back at the office. Such work is a testament to the patience of law enforcement officers in dealing with both the public and the legal requirements of the job.

Perhaps the most important event of my time with law enforcement was when we received a call of an Interpretive Ranger having a seizure at the Visitor's Center. This ranger had gone into an epileptic seizure while conducting an interpretive program and the Law Enforcement Rangers were called to the scene. I remember rushing to the Visitor's Center with several other rangers and helping them administer treatment. Fortunately, the ranger having the seizure was alright, and after some quick treatment, he was back on his feet again. During this emergency call I really felt a connection with the other Law Enforcement Rangers and recognized within myself why I wanted to do this job: to help people. I enjoyed the thrill of the lights and sirens and the knowledge that what I was doing was making a genuine difference in the park. Afterwards, all of the Law Enforcement Rangers met and performed an After-Action Review to discuss the incident. The whole experience was a positive one, revealing the professionalism and dedication of the Law Enforcement Rangers to help a comrade in need. I was proud to stand in such good company and look forward to more successful days like this in my future career!

ProRangers on the web and facebook!

If you enjoy reading this blog and following the adventures of the Temple University ProRangers, you can now follow them on Facebook, too:  http://www.facebook.com/ProRangerProgram.  Please "like" and comment on our page, photos and post your own!

I am also pleased to announce the ProRanger website has been updated - check out the new photos and profiles of our ProRanger alumni:  www.temple.edu/proranger. 

The ProRangers are currently submitting photos from their internships this summer for a contest.  We would like you, the blog readers, to vote on those you like best.  More information coming soon!

Finally, information about the fall 2012 recruitment cycle will be posted soon. 

Hello ProRangers,

I want to thank those of you whom I was able to meet for lunch on Monday.  I thoroughly enjoyed talking with you and finally putting some names and faces together.  I hope I didn't dominate the conversation too much.  I am not shy about speaking in public but I don't want you to ever feel that I don't have time to listen as well.  Thank you for welcoming me to Temple!

Ranger Krug

Introduction

Hello, ProRangers,

I am Luis Krug, the new Program Manager for your ProRanger Philadelphia.  I am anxious to meet you after hearing so many positive comments about you.  I am sure there are many things you can teach me, such as how to be a better blogger.  I will be contacting you shortly to determine what days and hours are most convenient for you for me to establish "office hours" on campus.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at 215.597-1281 or by email at luis_krug@nps.gov.  My cell phone number will be 215. 437-2595, but is currently unavailable.  I look forward to the opportunity to work and learn with you.

Ranger Krug

Happy 96th Birthday to the National Park Service

National Park Service

"Experience Your America"

Today it has been 96 years since the NPS was first created. Thanks to President Woodrow Wilson who signed the act (August 25, 1916) which created this federal bureau under the Department of Interior.  This agency protects our natural wonders and our American heritage.  It also provides the Pro Rangers a career path of a life time.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

I want to thank the NPS for preserving our national parks because I have many memories of visiting national parks with my family especially Hopewell Furnace NHS.  These are memories I cherish forever and would like to share similar experiences with family and friends in the future.



Leadership Camp 2012

Outdoor Odyssey Leadership Academy

Motto: "Growth Through Adventure"

The Pro Rangers got together at this camp in Boswell, PA to embark on an experience of a life time.  It was nice to see my fellow Pro Rangers come together in one area.  The primary goals for this week were to come together and work as a team, face fears, embrace the great outdoors and to become humble leaders.  The first day was check-in day.  We moved into our living quarters and received our gear thanks to Stephen Sweet and his wife.  Then we played a good ol' game of kick ball.  Nothing like a competitive sport to get us in the mood for what was to come.

After a fun game of kickball we moved over to the low ropes course where we split up into four teams.  I was in team four which we named "The Wolfpack" and our motto was "Fear This!".  The low ropes course was awesome because we were able to pick team leaders and work as a team to overcome obstacles.  As a team we planned a strategy and then motivated each other to complete the course.  Overall I felt our team executed each obstacle very well.  We ended the day with a campfire and reflection while some of our fellow Pro Rangers received some swag for displaying leadership qualities. 

The following morning we awoke very early to conduct some PHYSICAL TRAINING.  I was already feeling the burn from the day prior because even though I think I am a fitness junkie, we were using muscles that have not been used before.  We ran in two lines and made our way to another ropes course.  This course was lines of ropes on an incline and we had to climb up and down the edge of a hill.  While some teams were navigating the course, other teams were doing jumping-jacks.  No matter what we were doing we had to stay moving to keep our heart rates up.  Later on in the day we went to the high-ropes course.  My stomach was turning with nervousness.  I have a fear of falling and this course gave me butterflies in my stomach and I could see I was not the only one who felt that way.  Anyway, I wanted to do this.  I had to overcome my fear.  Jeff was my partner and he gave me so much support.  I could not ask for a better partner. 

Then there was the crazy "Leap of Faith".  The Pro Rangers had to climb up a shaky wooden beam and jump off to try and reach for a metal pole that was hanging from ropes.  The first time I jumped off I quickly held on to my ropes, not even trying to reach for the metal bar.  The second time I gave it my all and leaped out reaching for the metal bar.  This was a proud moment for me.  I gave it my all and overcame many fears thanks to the support of the Pro Rangers and our mentors.  Special thanks to Chief Will Reynolds and Chief Glen Clark for their encouragement.

Taking a leap of faith!

The first two days were filled with so much adventure, could there be more?  Oh yes!  The week had just begun.  We did some more team building obstacle courses and then went to an area with a rock climbing wall and zip-lining.  Even our mentors liked the zip-lining and you could tell they were really enjoying themselves.  There was a long, thick rope that many of the Pro Rangers were climbing up.  I felt that that was one of the most physically challenging things at camp.  Pro Ranger Jay Copper and I received the Fort McHenry challenge coin from Chief Glen Clark and U.S. Park Ranger Sierra Daniels which I will cherish forever. 

It was now time for rappelling.  We went to a beautiful scenic state park where we hiked a short distance to the area where we would gear up and rappel from a rock face off a mountain.  This was definitely a larger rock face then the one we previously rappelled in November of last year in the Wissahickon.  Again I was feeling nervous.  The support of the Pro Rangers prevailed once again and I geared up and made my way down the cliff.  It was absolutely an amazing experience and not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

The Pro Rangers were working as a team and that would be put to the ultimate test.  We went to the Ohiopyle to go white water rafting.  These were seriously some of the best moments of my life.  I can not explain how fun it truly was.  We picked our own teams and jumped into a raft to plow through the rapids and down the river.  Our raft was number 608 and we had Supervisor Mark Howard as our experienced rafter.  As you can see on our faces we were having a blast and together as a team we conquered the wrath of the powerful rapids.  Pro Ranger Jess Cooper overcame many fears as well and I give her kudos for her upliftitng spirit that day.

During our stay at Leadership Camp we were given the opportunity to visit a very special National Monument.  The Flight 93 site was a very breath taking and humbling place.  We were given a tour by an interpretative ranger and were able to go where the general public is prohibited.  It was nice to be able to pay our respects to heroes that defended our nation.  Chief Steve Clark surprised all the Pro Rangers sharing insightful thoughts about our futures in the Pro Ranger Program.

The final dinner consisted of a BBQ and our teams conducted some relay races with canoes.  After that we had the chance to do a "no rules" canoe race with our team of choice.  Jackie Innella and Amy Borch were on my team and we powerhoused it all the way across the pond and to the finish line in first place.  The founder of the camp, T.S. Jones, who is also recently retired from the U.S. Marine Corp, blessed us with his presence at the BBQ.  T.S. Jones discussed with us the concept of MEPS which stands for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well being.  He shared his words of wisdom and we were very grateful that he came to speak with us. 

 The experience would have to sadly come to an end.  This camp was a great way to end an eventful and rewarding summer internship.  If some of the Pro Rangers were not as close before camp, I feel that after this experience we became one whole unit.  I made friendships that I will have for a lifetime.  I also have mentors I will have with me throughout my career and I could not ask for anything better.  Even a Pro Ranger alumni, Aaron, came to show his support.  Special thanks to our leaders: Supervisor Mark Howard, Supervisor Dave Ballam, Chief Will Reynolds, Chief Kim Coast, Chief Glen Clark, Chief Mark Dowdle, U.S. Park Ranger Sierra Daniels, Dr. McGarvey, Dr.  Luongo, Mr. and Mrs. Sweet.  I can not forget to give a huge thank you to our awesome camp instructors as well!

 

After this summer I am totally hooked on the Pro Ranger Program!  When anyone ever asks me about my summer, I always refer them to the blog because sometimes pictures speak louder than words.  Classes are starting soon but I can not stop thinking about what exciting event is next for the program.  I can not get enough of this program.  I live, breath and sleep the Pro Ranger Program.  So if anyone is even slightly interested in the program I would tell them to go for it because this program is amazing and gives you an array of opportunities. 

Hooked on the Pro Ranger Program!

Farewell for now but my gut tells me that this is only the beginning of more great experiences for me in the future of the Pro Ranger Program!

End of Harpers Ferry NHP Internship

In the last weeks at Harpers Ferry, we had many great opportunities. Supervisor Mark Howard took us to Short Hill for some boundary checking. We checked up where the boundary is near personal property to make sure that their driveway is not running through the park property, like it once did. Everything was fine and we enjoyed the scenery while we were there.

The last and final week we were with maintenance. We were able to spend more time with Peter as he took us around Virginius Island teaching us more about the history and landscape of the area when it was a functional and popular island in the 1800s. He talked to us about the excavating and restoring that occurred after the floods in 1996 to restore some of the ruins so visitors may be able to picture what it once looked like.

The next day we went to Prince William National Forest Park for some firearms training! After a whole summer of taking apart and putting together the firearms, as well as loading and unloading, we felt comfortable with the firearms and ready to shoot. We shot many rounds with the handgun, including with our weak hand and one handed. We also were able to shoot the shotgun a few times with buck shots and slugs. Chief Ranger Cindy Sirk-Fear of PRWI instructed us through the target practice, while Ranger David Ballam and Mark Howard reviewed proper shooting stances with us while we waited for our turn to shoot. Renee and I were proud of our targets at the end of the practice.

The last day we were with Custodial and Grounds roads and trails. Working with Merle and his crew in custodial is always great because the crew works so hard and so well together we have a blast. Cleaning the exhibits is also a job that is very important, and we are proud we are able to help take care of the exhibits. Later that day we had another opportunity to work with Denny and his crew of Grounds, Roads, and Trails. We cleared the ground from rocks and large debris where a fence is going to be built. Renee and I enjoyed working alongside the tractor, and stopped for a picture with it.

This summer has definitely been way more than I could have ever asked for. The opportunities and experiences and training we received are just remarkable. Harpers Ferry is a beautiful place that is the perfect amount of history and nature and recreation for anyone and everyone to enjoy. Being able to see and work for a place as important as Harpers Ferry has given us all the inspiration to go out there and protect our land. The people I met here have all had an impact on my life, whether it being public relation skills I learned from interpretation, or working together as a team in maintenance, to all the law enforcement ways of thinking from the Harpers Ferry police that were kind enough to bring us out on many ride a longs, everyone taught me something that will go with me forever. Of course there is no doubt about the person who taught us the most, who had the biggest impact on making our experience here the best. Mark Howard was a great mentor who taught us the ins and outs of being a park ranger. Renee and I truly got the most out of this summer that we could have because of the great people this park has as well as our own motivation for physical and intellectual fitness. This summer has been an experience of a lifetime, so thank you to everyone who made it happen.

Farewell-  Jackie Innella and Renee Benson

My Last Weeks at Colonial and Leadership Camp

Hello everyone! Sorry I have not updated the blog in quite a while. My last few weeks at Colonial NHP were very busy and exciting! I completed my two weeks working with the Maintenance division based out of Yorktown. For one week I worked in the Carpenter and Paint Shops constructing park signs. Colonial NHP has a large amount of signs especially along the tour roads and the Colonial Parkway. I drove by these signs all summer not realizing how much time and material is spent on each of them.  Now I have grown an appreciation for all the the meticulous work involved in creating park signs.
Along with making new signs, we also had to inspect the old signs. Colonial NHP owns and maintains Cape Henry National Memorial which is located near Virginia Beach. We took one morning to travel to the memorial and inspect the monuments and signs to see if any repairs or replacements were needed. Cape Henry NM represents the first landing site of the English in 1607 before they continued their voyage to Jamestown. Cape Henry NM also played a monumental role in the Battle of the Capes, which was a naval battle between Britain and France during the American Revolutionary War. This battle kept the British Navy out of the Chesapeake Bay and therefore prevented reinforcements to arrive at Yorktown and aid General Cornwallis in the siege one month later.

The Cape Henry Lighthouses

The Cape Henry Memorial Cross

I worked my next week with Maintenance in Roads and Trails. I helped maintain the yards of park-owned buildings and parking lots in Historic Yorktown. This was the first time I ever used a  weed-eater. I think I was pretty good at it too. I also worked in the Cannon shop, where Maintenance builds the carriages for the cannons from scratch. All carriages are historically accurate and they are  all completely functional. A lot of hard work and precision are put into these carriages. All of the metal pieces used in the carriages are forged in the Blacksmith Shop. We were able to work in the Blacksmith Shop and create our own pieces from scrap metal to test out the equipment.

My last week in Colonial was spent with Law Enforcement. My supervisor and Chief Ranger took Erik and I to Camp Peary, a CIA training base for Control Tactics Training. We learned the proper ways to use the baton and OC spray. We also practiced using the Glock 17 simulator. Later in the week the Firearms Instructor at my park was able to take me to the range to teach me how to shoot a handgun. This was the first time I ever shot a real firearm before. I learned the 4 basic safety rules for handling a gun. We also went over the proper techniques for my stance and grip. He was a very good instructor as I did pretty well for a first timer. The gun I used was the Sig Sauer P228.

I was very sad to leave Colonial National Historic Park. I truly enjoyed going to work everyday and getting to know the park inside and out. I am thankful to have been placed at Colonial NHP. It is the ideal park for any intern due to its historical significance as well as the great team of employees who keep it running so smoothly. I am grateful for everyone who took the time to show me the ropes and mentor me. I learned a good deal of valuable information that will help me achieve my goal of becoming the best law enforcement ranger I can possibly be. I am also sad to have left Virginia. It is a completely different atmosphere than here in New Jersey and I think I fell in love with it. Hopefully I will make my way down south again sometime soon!

I ended my summer internship with Leadership Camp up in Boswell, Pennsylvania. It was great to reunite with my fellow ProRangers. We all discussed our summer internships and swapped stories. We performed different obstacle courses as teams all week, while learning the importance of trust, teamwork, and leadership. We partnered up as performed the high ropes course for our first main event of the week. I think this was the only event that got me a little scared. But it was all mental, as I knew the equipment would keep me safe. After the first few sections, I was able to get past that uneasy feeling and completed the course. We also rappelled off a 90 foot cliff face at Laurel Summit State Park. It was such a rush to jump down the side of a cliff while observing the beautiful scenery that surrounded me. I had a ton of fun rappelling, as well as cheering on my ProRangers as they successfully made it down the rocks.

We were also able to go white water rafting down the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, PA. I never went rafting before so I was unsure of the proper ways to maneuver down the rapids. But with the help of great instructors and an amazing team on my boat, I made it all the way down the 7 miles without falling in. THANKS TEAM! On our last full day of camp, the ProRangers traveled together to the Flight 93 National Memorial to pay our respects to the brave souls aboard that plane. It was a very somber time but I am glad I was able to visit the park. The setting was beautiful and the park is doing a wonderful job of building new structures and landscapes to honor the men and women who were on Flight 93. I definitely plan on visiting the park again when they are finished with their visitor center and construction.

Leadership Camp was a great experience. It went by so quick and I already miss my fellow ProRangers. I am so proud of everyone for making through the week and performing to the best of their ability. We worked well as a team and by the end of the week we became one cohesive unit. I know we will all go far in our careers and I am proud to say that I am a part of the Temple University ProRanger Program!