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New River Gorge National River Seeking Teenage Rangers-In-Training

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Published Date

April 18, 2014
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Learning the finer aspects of rappelling./NPS 

Imagine how your life might have been different had you the opportunity to attend a "ranger in training" program such as the one being offered at New River Gorge National River in West Virginia this summer.

This program involves high school students aged 14-17 and immerses them in a variety of outdoor activities at the national river. One day they might be rappelling off a cliff, another day running the rapids of the New River.

Participants selected for this program also develop climbing skills, spend days hiking in the park, and even find time to tryout some of the mountain bike trails there. 

 

This free program is designed to engage underserved youth, ages living in communities surrounding the park to get out in nature and participate in a series of outstanding outdoor adventures. Those in the program participate in safe, supervised, fun and exciting educational adventures that will enhance their appreciation of New River Gorge National River, instill a lifelong love of the outdoors, and allow them to explore career fields with the National Park Service.

During Rangers in Training, students will...

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Rafting on the New River./NPS

1. Participate in a series of adventure day-trips during the summer, such as rock climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, archery and fishing to learn about and explore New River Gorge National River.

2. Connect with the outdoors through the adventure activities with the goal of inspiring a lifelong appreciation of nature and the outdoors.

3. Interact with park staff during the summer adventures and career shadowing opportunities to get to know the park staff and learn about their careers with the National Park Service.

A Few Things You Should Know Before Applying...

'¢ The Rangers in Training program is offered at no cost.

'¢ Filling out an application is free and there is no obligation to you.

'¢ Teens selected to participate are expected to attend all four day-trips (barring emergencies). As an incentive, teens that attend all four adventures will be able to sign up for a fifth adventure trip.

'¢ Students will need to have transportation to and from a local school, picking up at 8 a.m. and dropping off around 6 p.m.

'¢ If selected, teens will be required to fill out an emergency contact form and provide signed safety release form(s) before attending the day-trips.

'¢ Teens will be notified by early May if selected to participate in the Rangers in Training program.

2014 Schedule:

The program is a week-long and runs daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the weeks of:

* June 9-13, 2014 for Summers County youths
* June 23-27, 2014 for Raleigh County youths
* July 7-11, 2014 for Fayette County youths

A free bus will pick up and drop off participants:

* June 9-13 at Summers County High School
* June 23-27 at Woodrow Wilson High School
* July 7-11 at Canyon Rim Visitor Center

A free lunch and all gear needed for the adventures will be provided daily.

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Comments

Submitted by Lee Dalton on April 18, 2014 - 9:25am.

Wow. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity for these kids. Kudos to the people who are going to make it possible. Is there some outside funding helping or is this coming from the park's budget?


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