Less than 20 school days left in the year and just a few weeks to my road trip out to the Badlands.  Hotel reservations are being made and odds/ends are started to get packed in a "my trip" box.  I have recieved my room assignment and a room mate name.  My roomie will be from Baton Rouge, how exciting is that!

How did I get here

In January of 2009 I heard of and submitted my application to the TRT program with the National Park Service.  The program basically allows teachers to apply to work as a park range in the National Park system.  They work in all areas and help bring a teachers perspective and creativity to the park.  Teachers help the park with curriculum and programs, etc.  For more see my link to be posted at a later date.  Any way, I received a very nice letter of no thank you from the parks I applied to, however, this year the Badlands National Park contacted me!  I was excited, ready, willing and as able as possible.  My husband Tom encouraged me to accept the position and the process was on.  Lots of paperwork and trying to get my school administration to understand the program.  Security check paperwork filled out, fingerprinting and all the other odds and ends.  The plan is to be in the Badlands the week after school ends and come home just before teachers report back to work, approximately six weeks. I will live right in the park and walk to work.  70 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota and primarily a wilderness area, life is good...I am blessed. I have been making flashcards, studying my geology, searching the Internet for information about the Badlands National Park and the surrounding area.  Simply awesome is an understatement! I even had the opportunity to schedule a distance learning session with the park and my class via the Polycom setup at my school.  They got to meet my summer "boss".  So when I come back from my summer position I will be an advocate for the National Parks, wear my uniform during National Park week and give at least one (probably more)presentations on the National Parks in my school and hopefully others.  I am looking forward to keeping my friends and whoever is interested updated through this blog.  I will let you know how things are progressing and give at least weekly reports while I am there.  Taking you with me virtually on my adventure will be fun!
Excitedly yours
cindy