Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

This past summer of 2016, I volunteered 168 hours over the course of twenty-eight days, working with a conservation crew in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania. The program was organized by the Student Conservation Association (SCA) where I applied for the opportunity to travel across the country and volunteer in one of Americaâ€™s national parks! I was fortunate to partake in this experience through the generosity of my SCA sponsors who provided me with the financial aid I needed which went towards transportation fees and renting gear requirements. Between 7/25/16 and 8/21/16, I volunteered alongside National Park staff performing daily tasks such as trail maintenance, forest rehabilitation, bridge and stairs construction, and building ditches to divert water away from trails. This experience was incredibly inspiring, because before I had never been given the chance to experience camping for such an extended period of time, and after this entire adventure I was introduced to a wild environment that amazed me every day. Through this adventurous four-week experience, I developed a greater appreciation for nature and its fragile ecosystems. Besides bonding with a diverse team of boys and girls from across the country, I was able to develop new leadership skills such as collaborating under the stressful situations of rain and wind, communicating alongside my peers while working to achieve our responsibilities, preparing creative food meals for everyone on a weekly basis, and upholding a positive and good-humored attitude throughout the sometimes strenuous work day. Being a part of the SCA has driven me to become more aware of the necessary actions needed to preserve our planetâ€™s natural resources, while allowing me learn new skill sets that will benefit me into adulthood. I am already sharing my experience
with others in my community and passing on the knowledge that I obtained through this enlightening opportunity.