Virginia State Parks has a long history of nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders through hands-on experience and mentorship.  

This tradition continues with the launch of the Ranger Conservation Corps, a new program that combines the best elements of the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps and the Park Ranger Career Development Program.  

To celebrate this next chapter, we caught up with former interns whose experiences helped shape their careers and whose stories highlight the lasting impact of Virginia State Parks’ commitment to developing future outdoor professionals.  

Let’s meet some of our former interns and see where they are today.

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Stacy Harris 

Stacy Harris

• Chief Ranger – Visitor Experience, Natural Tunnel State Park  
• Internship: 2021 and 2022 
• Focus: Park operations and education and interpretation 

1. Why did you choose an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

I became interested in working in a park after serving in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps at Arkansas State Parks. I found the internship with Virginia State Parks, and it seemed perfect because it could help me decide what I wanted to do. Being closer to home was a huge bonus.  

2. What did you enjoy most about your internship?  

I really enjoyed having the chance to live in the park for the summer and explore everything more than I normally could in a weekend visit. My supervisors also gave me a chance to visit other nearby parks.  

3. How did your internship with Virginia State Parks prepare you for your current career?  

I had no idea if I wanted to do interpretation until I did it during my internships. Now I am doing it full-time! I believe it gave me a better understanding of how different staff members work together and just how many people it takes to keep a park running smoothly.   

4. Why would you recommend an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

It’s a great way to spend the summer! There were a lot of useful training opportunities and experiences that can help you with a career in the future. I haven’t seen this kind of internship anywhere else.  

5. What advice would you give someone who has been accepted into the program but hasn’t started yet?  

Go into it with an open mind. Everyone has something to teach you, and I have never been around so many people who are willing to answer any questions I could come up with. I learned things I didn’t know I wanted to learn until it was offered.   

Tess Himelspach 

Tess Himelspach

• Chief Ranger – Visitor Experience, James River State Park  
• Internship: 2024 and 2025 
• Focus: Park operations and education and interpretation 

1. Why did you choose an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

I chose to intern with Virginia State Parks because I had an interest in pursuing environmental education and saw the program as a fantastic way to learn about the culture and operations of the organization. My interest in environmental education stemmed from my background as an educator and my passion for ecology and earth systems science. My goal has always been to share my fascination with the outdoors and to create a ‘lightbulb’ moment for others as they begin to understand the magic of nature and its impact on our well-being.  

2. What did you enjoy most about your internship?  

One of the most valuable parts of the internship and what I enjoyed the most were the relationships that I built with my coworkers. They are all a wealth of knowledge and have supported me through my journey with state parks. I value their mentorship greatly.  

3. How did your internship with Virginia State Parks prepare you for your current career?  

My internship prepared me for my career by giving me experience in all areas of parks in my first year and allowing me to home in on my interests in my second year. My broader knowledge from the PRCD internship allows me to better understand broader park operations and my RCC internship gave me an opportunity to refine my interpretive skills.  

4. Why would you recommend an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

I recommend an internship with Virginia State Parks because it is the best way to learn about park operations firsthand and gives you opportunities to test your skills in an applied work environment. You will also meet loads of amazing people and get the chance to visit incredible places!  

5. What advice would you give someone who has been accepted into the program but hasn’t started yet?  

My best advice is to truly immerse yourself in the experience! Take every opportunity you get to learn new skills, even if you don’t foresee it being applicable to your future endeavors, and to build relationships with like-minded people through trainings, social outings and outreach opportunities.    

Carrie Nelson 

Carrie Nelson

• Chief Ranger Operations – Law Enforcement, Hayfields State Park  
• Internship: 2024 and 2025 
• Focus: Park operations 

1. Why did you choose an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

I was already a Virginia State Parks employee and knew I wanted to become full-time after college. 

2. What did you enjoy most about your internship?  

I enjoyed the support system around me. I knew that if I had any questions or specific goals, a fellow ranger was there to help.   

3. How did your internship with Virginia State Parks prepare you for your current career?  

I had multiple experiences that were minimum and additional requirements for my position. I was able to participate in ride-along programs and see what my future interactions with guests could look like in a law enforcement role. I have received training in prescribed fires, OSHA and budgeting which I think were key to me receiving my position as chief ranger.   

4. Would you recommend an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

Absolutely, without this internship, I would not be graduating from college with a full-time position. 

5. What advice would you give someone who has been accepted into the program but hasn’t started yet?  

A great mentor once told me, “Semper Gumby,” or always be flexible. Being a park ranger, you never know what your day will hold, so be ready for change.   

Joel Neville 

Joel Neville

• Chief Ranger – Visitor Experience, Machicomoco State Park  
• Internship: 2021 
• Focus: Park operations and education and interpretation 

1. Why did you choose an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

I wanted to work in parks, and I live in Virginia, so Virginia State Parks seemed like a good fit.   

2. What did you enjoy most about your internship?  

My fellow rangers jumped at every opportunity to teach me how to do something.   

3. How did your internship with Virginia State Parks prepare you for your current career?  

It helped me land a maintenance position at Pocahontas State Park, which helped transition into my current position of chief ranger – visitor experience at Machicomoco. 

4. Why would you recommend an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

It’s paid, usually comes with housing and teaches a lot of job-specific skills. 

5. What advice would you give someone who has been accepted into the program but hasn’t started yet?  

Say yes to everything and do your best not to get stuck in one department.   

Faith Stewart 

Faith Stewart

• Area Forester for Greensville County, Virginia Department of Forestry   
• Internship: 2025 
• Focus: Park operations, education and interpretation and natural resource management 

1. Why did you choose an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

My strongest passions are for serving people and being outside; this internship seemed like a great way to see if Virginia State Parks would be a good fit for me!  

2. What did you enjoy most about your internship?  

Making meaningful connections not only with DCR and Virginia State Parks staff, but with staff of other agencies as well. And of course, showing visitors all the cool stuff our park has to offer. 

3. How did your internship with Virginia State Parks prepare you for your current career?  

In addition to the great coaching we received related to career searching, which helped me achieve my position with the Virginia Department of Forestry, I also received boatloads of good advice on being a park ranger (or other similar position) from people I worked with at New River Trail and my fellow interns.  

I had very little background in interpretation coming into this internship. I was more familiar with trail work, grounds maintenance and other jobs out of the spotlight, but I learned through the process of being mentored how to meaningfully connect with visitors of all different backgrounds. 

I was also able to pursue some new skills related to trail work and grounds maintenance, which was great! I have also grown in my ability to be adaptable. It has been demonstrated time and time again over the course of this season that unexpected situations and changes come with the territory as a park ranger.  

“Semper Gumby”, borrowed from a fellow ranger at Chippokes State Park, was an oft-quoted phrase around the intern house at New River Trail. 

4. Why would you recommend an internship with Virginia State Parks?  

If you love people and love being outside, you’ll find many, many ways to make a meaningful impact at Virginia State Parks. The people you work with, especially the people in your program, will generally be people who are willing to help you succeed.  

5. What advice would you give someone who has been accepted into the program but hasn’t started yet?  

Don’t assume your background or knowledge base won’t apply to this internship; it takes all kinds to make the park run! 

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Join the next generation of park leaders 

Are you interested in an internship with Virginia State Parks? Ranger Conservation Corps welcomes college students, recent graduates, young professionals and anyone eager to gain hands-on experience in the great outdoors. If you answer yes to the questions below, RCC could be for you!

• Are you 18 years old with a valid driver's license?
• Are you willing to work outdoors in various weather conditions?
• Have you led, directed, mentored and/or trained others?
• Do you want to learn about Virginia State Parks?
• Do you have experience using computers and software applications?
• Do you have experience speaking in public or educational settings, engaging in phone calls and interacting with others?

The application period for the 2026 cohort opens on Dec. 15. To learn more about the program, register for one of the webinars below or go to https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/ranger-conservation-corps. 

• Dec  13, 10-11 a.m.
• Dec. 13, 1-2 p.m.