My (Crazy, Fun, Amazing) Parks Corps Family

Back- Landon, Michelle, Andrew, Zach, Ian, Trick, Gabe, Danni, Dana, Madeline, Libby

Front- Kylie, Autumn, Collette, Tamara, Lizzy, Kyle, Marlena

As my time with SCA is coming to a close, I want to reflect and highlight all the amazing memories and trips planned with all of the Parks Corps members. The possibility of working for Student Conservation Association (SCA) was initially attractive due to their dedication to bring members together for different trainings and certifications throughout the term. I specifically liked the idea of being a Certified Interpretive Guide and being certified in Wilderness First Aid. When we came together for Orientation at Onanda Park, I had already met the four members I would be living with, but all the other Parks Corps members that would be working all over the state, from Buffalo to the Thousand Islands, were new to me. Within just three days of Orientation, however, I quickly realized that this group of people would be more than just acquaintances I see every once and a while, they would become my family.

Back- Dana, Collette, Autumn, Andrew, Trick, Shaina, Kylie, and Marlena

Front- Rosie, Madeline, Amelia, Michelle, Tamara, Lizzy, Kyle, Tori, Landon

Just a few weeks after we arrived, we packed our bags and headed up to the Thousand Islands for

Project Wet and Wild training (educators) and chainsaw use certification (stewards). Every day the educators went through different possible lesson plans for school age children and the stewards went out and learned the most effective and safe ways to use chainsaws. Whether inside enjoying the warmth or outside in the snow, we took full advantage of any and all moments to be silly. 

                                                                                                               Lizzy, Kyle, Madeline, Collette

                                                                    Kyle and Tamara                      Marlena, Ian, Landon, Tori, Zach, Autumn, and Trick

At the end of February, the educators headed to Watson Homestead in the Finger Lakes region for Certified Interpretive Guide training. This was possibly my favorite training, as it gave me tips and tricks I would go on to use throughout the year as a tour guide. Coming back down from the northern tip of New York we thought we had escaped blizzard like snow conditions, but once again our landscape was suddenly transformed into a winter wonderland, spurring a spontaneous snow party. There is no way to embrace being an educator like embracing being a kid.

Kyle, Lizzy, Tamara, Collette, and Shaina                                                                                  Collette and Tamara

By the time Wilderness First Aid training came around in early March, it had been a month since the whole Corps had gotten together and like an extended family on holiday, we all quickly settled back into familiar habits. To partake in the training, however, we had to undergo many life-like scenarios, meant to test our calm and confidence in unexpected medical emergencies. Sometimes we role-played as the victims, and others times the care givers. There is nothing to bond a group of people together like the dose of adrenaline resulting from dropping all pretenses in order to give the necessary care.

^^Danni and Marlena

                                                                  Autumn and Trick                                                            Tori and Rachel (Instructor)

In early June, many of the educators traveled over to the western region of New York for the Allegeny Pilgrimage. Unlike most of our other get togethers, this one was a public event and brought educators from all over the Northeast. We had different sessions we could attend, including but not limited to Wild Edibles, Owl Prowl, Bioluminescence, and Dinosaur Talk. Having never been to Allegeny State Park before, I was astounded by the beautiful rolling hills and great expanse of the park. One of the things I appreciate about the get togethers is how SCA specifically tries to organize them in or near each of the members parks so we can see the different places members call home.

                                                       

To kick off the summer, we all came together at Finger Lakes National Forest for a Leave No Trace Trainer course. By this time, we had all been in our positions for over five months and were ecstatic to be back together. Being unleashed into the woods was exactly what we needed to catch up with each other. We split into two different groups of about ten and spent a few days camping, practicing how to be conscious of the footprint we leave behind and how to pass that wisdom onto others.

                                                                                        Back- Michelle, Kylie, Landon, Amelia, Lizzy, Kyle, Aaron      

               Trick and Landon                                                              Front- Libby and Trick                                                               Libby, Trick, Aaron

                                               Tori and Tamara                                                               Dana, Andrew, Rosie, Tori, Madeline, Marlena, Ian

                                                                                                                                                      Madeline

The climax of all of our get togethers was the All Corps service project. This is an event that brings together all the members to help restore some natural area. This year, the construction and restoration of trails at Robert H. Treman was chosen as a way for Parks Corps members to give back.

 For three days in August we as a group worked together to clear low hanging limbs and debris from trails, clearly distinguish trails with markers, widen narrow trails, and construct a whole new connector trail. Everyone from the seasoned trail stewards to educators who mostly work inside pitched in.  

Kyle, Tori, Collette, Lizzy, Madeline

Landon and Trick

In total we brushed and marked 4.19 miles of trail, rehabilitated and improved 1.0 mile of trail, and constructed 0.25 mile of new trail, putting forth a total of over 300 hours of service in two days! 

Of course, we found plenty of times to laugh and show our love for the outdoors. As a treat, we all visited Watkins Glen State Park and walked through the gorge with Kyle, Lizzy, and I as tour guides just before everyone left to travel home.

Top: Tamara, Kylie, Michelle, Zach, Amelia, Lizzy, Tori, Kyle, Dana, Collette, Ian

Bottom: Libby, Marlena, Landon, Andrew, Madeline, Trick

Last week, we commemorated the closing of this beautiful chapter. Our Recognition Ceremony was held on Friday, October 26th with a fun final get together the night before. Everything was brought full circle as we spent our last night as a Corps together at Onanda Park, the same place our Orientation at the beginning of the year was held.

 Lizzy and Kyle volunteered as the Emcees for the event and did a beautiful job commemorating all

the amazing times each of us have had this year. To celebrate us as individuals, they along with Marlena and Libby, came up with superlatives for each of us. Some of my favorites were “Most Thoughtful” - Trick, “Master of Puns” - Andrew, and “Most Likely to be president of Audubon” - Michelle.     

                                    "Best Blogger" - Tamara, "Most go with the Flow" - Kyle, "Most likely to be a Fun Grandma" - Lizzy

For the last 10 months life has been pretty constant, every few months we would be reunited for a fun training or certification; now we will likely be spread all over the country. Some of our plans are more definite than others, but one thing is clear: the friendships and memories we made during this term of service will continue with us for the rest of our lives. And we know that no matter where life takes us, we will always have a family supporting and encouraging us. Thank you SCA for giving me my Parks Corps family!   

Stay tuned for a final reflection blog in the next few weeks and a possible bonus insider blog!