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 29, 2014
Contact:
Virginia State Parks seeking applicants for AmeriCorps volunteer project
Additional contact:
Cyndi Juarez
Volunteer Administrator and AmeriCorps Program Director
Department of Conservation and Recreation
571-409-4348
Cynthia.Juarez@dcr.virginia.gov
(RICHMOND) - Volunteers are needed across Virginia to spend the summer serving in state parks – connecting park guests to valuable natural resources and leading trail improvement projects.
The Virginia State Parks AmeriCorps Volunteer Project provides 25 opportunities for part-time AmeriCorps members to serve in state parks between April and September 2014.
AmeriCorps members plan, develop, and lead interpretive programs and assist park staff in coordinating service projects in Virginia State Parks.
Members serve 675 hours and receive a bi-monthly living allowance. After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive an AmeriCorps education award of $2,114, which can be used for education expenses.
Volunteers selected as AmeriCorps members receive in-depth training on various subjects including trail improvement, interpretive programming, customer service, volunteer management and watercraft skills.
“I have grown both personally and professionally,” said AmeriCorps member Nicholai Craig, who served at First Landing State Park last summer. “My public speaking skills have immensely improved and so has my ability to interact with the public and people in general. I've also learned how to create and maintain a positive public image for the park and myself.”
Applications are now being accepted and positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Last year 36 AmeriCorps members served in 26 state parks across the state. From 2011 to 2013, ninety-one AmeriCorps members successfully completed service in Virginia State Parks.
More information and the required application can be found at www.virginiastateparks.gov.
AmeriCorps is a national service program administered through the Corp. for National and Community Service. Each year, AmeriCorps offers adults of all ages and backgrounds more than 75,000 opportunities to meet critical needs in communities across America. Benefits include a modest living allowance and educational assistance at the end of service.
For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make cabin or camping reservations, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-7275 or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
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