Block term at Shaver’s Creek was one of the best experiences of my life, with concentrated learning, a variety of experiences, and an exceptional trip up the coast to Mt. Katahdin that resulted in some lifelong friendships!
Years at Shaver’s Creek: 1984–1987
Positions Held: Outdoor School, Block/SEED Semester, Volunteer
Current Company/Organization: Retired, National Park Service
As a returning adult student, encouragement from teachers and classmates enabled me to gain confidence in my ability to achieve my dream of becoming a National Park Ranger. All of the instructors—Corky Potter, Jerry Elliott, Bill Metzel, Jim Hamilton, Julie Jonas—taught me so much. As a volunteer in the summer of 1986, I was given free rein to develop a new series of weekly public programs about nature, cultural history and recreation for Stone Valley Recreation Area. What fun!
My experience at Shaver’s Creek, presenting public programs with a live great-horned owl, helped when I was hired as a seasonal ranger at Shenandoah National Park in 1987. In 1992, I was hired as a permanent ranger as the park’s live birds of prey program coordinator—a position I held until I retired.
I was lucky to work at Rocky Mountain, Death Valley, Everglades, and Independence National Historical Park, finishing up with 30 years of service as an interpretive program specialist at Shenandoah in 2021.