The National Park Foundation Stewards program is granting La Porte High School Agriculture and Natural Resources teacher Rob Walker and his students the opportunity to become involved stewards of their national parks through year-long service. This is the first time a high school in La Porte County has had two student interns involved with the National Park Service.
“Creating a strong partnership with La Porte High School and teacher Rob Walker has allowed us to create authentic learning activities for students which can be used with other schools in the region,” said the park’s Education Programs Manager Kim Swift.
The National Park Foundation has been working closely with Walker, helping him incorporate an enrichment and stewardship program for his students. Walker was previously a park ranger and has been involved with the National Park Foundation for a handful of years.
“I have always taken my classes out to the parks because I know that what is taught in the classroom is easier taught out in the field. The partnership we have made here has been positive on both sides because [the Park Foundation] has been looking for a high school to connect with, and we have wanted to get hands-on experience with others in the area,” Walker said.
Walker and his classes will be working with the Indiana Dunes on environmental issues within the parks. His students will be working together to find solutions to various matters and will be learning how lessons within the classroom connect with real-life situations. With the help of the Park Foundation, Walker’s students will be presented with more college and career ready opportunities. He and his class will attend an informational overnight visit at the Dunes Learning Center on April 27-28.
The Center, a partner of the National Park Service, provides fun and educational opportunities for children, who may also participate in their summer camps. The Learning Center is located within the National Lakeshore. As a partner, the Dunes Learning Center is included in the grant, meaning their residential campus will be open to Walker’s students during their overnight trip.
Walker and his class have been preparing for this visit by studying issues related to the parks. While on their visit, they will assist with oak savanna restoration at Miller Woods, broaden their knowledge about the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly and will take part in campfire experiences at the Dunes Learning Center.
In addition, two LPHS students, seniors Angel Hodge and Tucker King, are being sponsored by a 2014 Park Stewards grant from the National Park Foundation, a grant that will allow them to work at the National Lakeshore for six weeks this summer.
The two were chosen from an array of applicants. They had to go through the interview process and were selected as the two finalists out of five candidates. Starting mid-June, Hodge and King will be immersed in the National Lakeshore and will learn what it means to be a National Park Service Ranger. The pair will be introduced to stewardship work, and will also get hands-on experience within the park.
Hodge and King will also be learning about careers within the National Park Service. Both students will have the opportunity to work side-by-side park staff, and will complete various projects in multiple settings. They will be taking part in outdoor activities such as building and sitting around a campfire, taking nighttime hikes, learning about both invasive and native wildlife and will also have the chance to work with kids. They will also receive a small wage for their work.
“When Mr. Walker told us about this internship, it really changed how I was looking at the future. When I applied and got [the position], I instantly changed my major at Carthage College. I am so excited for the opportunity to work in nature, something that really had brought me and my dad close together. [The outdoors] have always been an integral part of my personality,” King said.
Hodge, like King, has had an interest in nature since she was young. This opportunity to work within the park has helped pave the way for her future.
“I am really excited about this opportunity because I love agriculture and outdoors, and it is something I want to impress upon the world. Last year when our high school first offered agriculture classes, I was interested to see what they would offer, and Natural Resources fit in my schedule. Mr. Walker told us about the opportunity and I just happened to be selected,” Hodge said.
After her summer internship, she will attend Warren Wilson College in North Carolina and will major in Biochemistry.
Both students hope to learn more about the environment, their surroundings and will gain a further understanding of what it takes to work for the National Park Service.
Although La Porte High School cannot receive the same grant allowing two students for internship positions next year, they may apply for a different kind of grant.
The Dunes Learning Center is currently looking for more high school students to get involved with them, and to see what jobs are available to them in this sector.
“The partnership we have been building with the Dunes Learning Center and National Park Service has been tremendous, and hopefully the students that have an affinity for the outdoors can use them as a pathway they can follow up on,” Walker said.