If you've been to Twin Lakes State Park this summer then you know what I'm talking about.  If not, then I'd like you to meet Max...Twin Lakes is takin' it to the Max!

Max is the AmeriCorps volunteer at Twin Lakes State Park and to get to know him, we've asked him a few questions:

What is your favorite thing to do at Twin Lakes? 

"My favorite thing to do at the park is instruct the fishing 101 program. It’s a wonderful program that teaches park guests of all ages about the joy of fishing. I love to fish and I never get tired of seeing someone catch their first fish."    

Tell me about some of your experiences at TL?

"The duties of an AmeriCorps interpreter can vary considerably. The day may start with a guided hike for a group of preschoolers and end with removing fallen trees from the trails. Each day is never exactly the same and always full of new things to learn." 

Why do you volunteer at TL? 

"I enjoy the work and the people I’m working with. I also think the park visitors really appreciate the job that I’m doing and I can see the positive impressions I’m making on the younger generations’ point of view of our natural resources."  

And you also volunteer for the Friends of Twin Lakes State Park (FTLSP)? 

"My friend and now the president of FTLSP, Marie Banton suggested the idea to me that Twin Lakes should have its own citizen support organization. I really liked the idea and I thought it would be a great project to be a part of."  

The Friends group meets monthly on the third Thursday at Twin Lakes, click here to email them.  

What are your goals as a volunteer? 

"My goal for the remainder of the summer is to focus on getting more volunteers for the park. I'd really like to have others experience the joy I've had while volunteering at Twin Lakes."

Interested in volunteering? Click here.   

What are your achievements as a volunteer? 

"I have several achievements that I’m really proud of. I’m honored to be one of the first members of the Twin Lakes Friends group. I’m looking forward to helping the group develop into a prominent organization. I’m also glad to be a part of a great team of educational specialists at Twin Lakes. My colleagues and I have been able to significantly increase the attendance to programs at this park."  

Max and Ranger Parker Redfox take their fun seriously

What are your future plans? 

"I will continue to volunteer at this park. I’m having such a great time in the AmeriCorps program that I am going to sign up again. I will not be applying to the same interpretive program that I am in now but I would like to continue to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation."   

What is something that we don’t know about you? 

"I like to cook. I learned how to cook from my grandmother as a kid. She taught me how to make most of her recipes. There isn’t a particular dish that I enjoy preparing but I think it’s fun to try new recipes."    

And since we're takin' it to the Max, another little know Max factor is that he's the only 2-time survivor of an Avalanche at Twin Lakes State Park!

Do you have any unanswered questions for Max or Twin Lakes State Park? Have you ever thought about volunteering but just not sure? Then takin' it to the Max may hold the answer for you email us here to learn more.