Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 14, 2013
Contact:
Va. State Parks seeks participants for 2013 statewide AmeriCorps program
Additional contact:
Bobby Wilcox
bobby.wilcox@dcr.virginia.gov
703-232-0667
(RICHMOND) - Applications are being accepted for the Virginia State Parks AmeriCorps Interpretive Project, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Now in its third year, the summer program provides opportunities for selected AmeriCorps members to serve by actively increasing public awareness of Virginia's natural, historical and cultural resources. The program also increases volunteerism at parks while improving AmeriCorps members' job skills and leadership abilities.
Applications are accepted through April 30, but positions are being filled immediately. There are 37 positions available across the state.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old. Past participants have ranged in age from 17 to 68, from young college students to retired professionals.
Interested applicants can find more information and must apply online at www.americorps.gov. For more information on the program, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/ameri-corps or call 703-232-0667.
Members will receive intensive interpretive training and develop volunteer management, customer service and watercraft skills. They will serve 675 hours between April and September by helping park staff develop, promote and deliver interpretive programs for park visitors. Members will also focus on expanding park volunteer programs and encouraging local involvement in park projects.
In 2012, 27 AmeriCorps members provided 18,225 hours of service in Virginia State Parks. They also recruited 147 volunteers who in turn provided more than 800 additional volunteer hours. AmeriCorps members promoted, assisted or led 4,323 interpretive programs and engaged more than 78,000 visitors in conservation education.
"I've grown personally in my public speaking confidence," said Samantha Tiver about her AmeriCorps service at Kiptopeke State Park, April through August, 2012. "I know this will be helpful in the future in job interviews, research presentations, or just talking to my co-workers. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have grown so much."
AmeriCorps members who successfully complete a term of service are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,114. The award can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, to pay for educational training and to repay qualified student loans.
AmeriCorps is a national service program administered through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Each year, AmeriCorps offers adults of all ages and backgrounds more than 75,000 opportunities to meet critical needs in communities across America.
The CNCS is a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. The corporation leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
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