Call for help at the State Fair

We still need lots of help, especially on the weekends!

I know, many of you work or volunteer on the weekends but if you are not otherwise tied up, consider helping out.

Check out the following link to see what time slots are available. Time slots highlighted in yellow for the Information Booth are shifts we have the greatest need. I didn't mark the time slots of greatest need for the Snowshoe Track since we need someone for every shift! 

Remember this link is a view only site. You may not sign up at this link.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RVDy-FrronJW4ec2ao5cZCtTnPZJLiVZCSadvmtwm38/edit?usp=sharing


Informational Booth shifts are:   

Mon, Wed-Fri:  first shift 10:00-1:30, second shift 1:30-5:00, third shift 5:00-8:30.

Sat-Sun:  first shift 9:00-1:00, second shift 1:00-5:00, third shift 5:00-9:00.

  
Snowshoe Track shifts are:   
Fri-Sun:  first shift Noon-3:00, second shift 3:00-6:00

How to sign up: 

Send me an email (Jim_Ross@nps.gov) and include the following things:

1. Which activity you would like to work

2. The date(s)

3. The time shift(s)

4. Your current mailing address (so I can mail instructions, maps, and tickets) 

You may sign up for multiple dates, times, and activities.

Doesn't this look like fun? Last year we talked with nearly 3000 kids and parents at the snowshoe track. Fortunately we didn't put snowshoes on every one of those people. 

Thanks, and we’ll see you at the fair!

 

Jim

Jim_Ross@nps.gov

Washington State Fair Volunteers

From Jim Ross:

To all who represented Mount Rainier National Park and the National Park Service at the 2015 Washington State Fair.

The fair is over for another year and the NW Outdoors Building is almost empty.  It is time for me to extend a great big thank you to all of you for your help this year. You were the best!  Always up, looking approachable, engaging folks, answering questions, and passing on your knowledge of the park and the Park Service.

Photo by Ed Hunds

 Here are a few statistics:

1. 55 different individuals worked the booth and snowshoe track a total of 395 hours. (That doesn't include me.)

2. At the booth we engaged 10,850 individuals.  That is down a little from last year but then we didn't have the perfect weather like last year.  Weekdays were a little slower this year.  In fact, the first Thursday was the slowest in many year. But 10,850 isn't too shabby.  That averages out to one person every minute.

Photo by Ed Hunds

3. At the snowshoe track we broke all the records and engaged 2620 people.  Fortunately for the knees and backs of the folks working the track we didn't put snowshoes on all those 2620 people.

4. The Indian Henrys Hunting Ground puzzle was completed 330 times in the 17 days of the fair. That's almost 20 times a day. It also means that we had to take it apart and mix up the pieces 20 times a day.  Imagine how many times we had to do the bear puzzle.

 Your volunteer hours will be reported to Mr. Bacher.

As you may have heard next year's fair will be more of a challenge. It will be four weekends beginning with Labor Day Weekend.  The fair will be closed on Tuesdays so the total number of days will be 21 instead of the 17 this year. On the other hand, next year is the Park Service Centennial and we hope to be the major attraction in the building! I'm working on getting our historic red bus as the central exhibit in the building. I hope you will all join in again next year!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
Gratefully,
Jim

Party Big Washington!

Put yourself in this picture and "Party Big Washington!"

Yes!  The Washington State Fair is fast approaching. Last year Park staff and volunteers talked to nearly 13,000 people and thousands more checked out our exhibits. This year the Fair runs from September 11th through September 27th (with Labor Day on the 7th, this is the latest start ever). 

The Park is an important part of the Northwest Outdoors Alliance. Our exhibits will occupy one of the largest spaces in the building. But the most important part is a real live person representing the Park Service, talking with all those enthusiastic fairgoers.

This year you have two opportunities to "Party Big."

#1. Staffing the Mount Rainier Informational Booth:  
Mon-Thur:  first shift 10:00-1:30, second shift 1:30-5:00, third shift 5:00-8:30.
Fri-Sun:  first shift 9:00-1:00, second shift 1:00-5:00, third shift 5:00-9:00.

Details:  We would like to have two park people for each of the three  3 1/2 or 4-hour shifts a day. The Fair has changed the opening times again so we have slightly different schedules for week days compared to Fri-Sun. This will necessitate 4-hour shifts on Fri-Sun. But those are the busiest days so you won't even notice the extra 1/2-hour. At the Information booth you answer questions about the park and the park service. Some resources will be available to help you with answers. You will also be helping with the hands-on activities in the booth.
 
#2. Staff the Snowshoe Walk:  
Fri-Sun:  first shift Noon-3:00, second shift 3:00-6:00

Details: On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 PM the NW Outdoors Building and Mount Rainier National Park will be providing a snowshoe experience (mainly for kids, but adults can try too).  The trail of straw will be an L-shaped loop about 30 yards long and will wander around and through a native plant display.  There will be two 3-hour shifts each day and we need at least two people each shift.  It will be a busy, but quick, three hours. 
   
If you'd like to participate, email Jim_Ross(at)nps.gov with what activity, date, and time shift would work for you.  Also please include your current mailing address so he can mail you instructions, maps, and tickets. Once you are scheduled in a time slot you will receive a letter with instructions, maps and tickets for admission to the Fair and a parking pass (together worth $25). You can experience the Fair before and/or after your shift.

Urgently Needed! Fair Volunteers!

Volunteers! I have received word from Jim Ross that out booth at the Washington State Fair still has several vacancies! If you can help out on any of the following shifts, please let Jim know as quickly as possible. Contact him at Jim_Ross(at)nps.gov

Please note that shift times vary for weekdays vs. weekends!

Snowshoe Track (***** indicates URGENT!)
Friday, Sept. 12 (two volunteers) - noon-3:00 PM and 3:00-6:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 13 - 3:00-6:00 PM
*****Sunday, Sept. 14 (two volunteers) - noon-3:00 PM
*****Friday, Sept. 19 (two volunteers) - 3:00-6:00 PM
Friday, Sept. 19 - noon-3:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 20 - noon-3:00 PM

Booth
Friday, Sept. 5 (two volunteers) - 10 AM-1:30 PM and 1:30-5:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 6 (two volunteers) - 10 AM-1:30 PM and 1:30-5:00 PM
Sunday, Sept. 7 (two volunteers) - 10 AM-1:30 PM and 1:30-5:00 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 9 - 2:30-5:30 PM
Wednesday, Sept. 10 - 2:30-5:30 PM
Friday, Sept. 12 (two volunteers) - 10 AM-1:30 PM and 1:30-5:00 PM
Saturday, Sept. 13 - 1:30-5:00 PM
Sunday, Sept. 14 (two volunteers) - 10 AM-1:30 PM and 1:30-5:00 PM
Tuesday, Sept. 15 (two volunteers) - 11 AM-2:30 PM and 2:30-5:30 PM
Thursday, Sept. 18 - 11 AM-2:30 PM
Friday, Sept. 19 - 10 AM-1:30 PM
Saturday, Sept. 20 - (two volunteers) - 10 AM-1:30 PM and 1:30-5:00 PM
Sunday, Sept. 21 - 1:30-5:00 PM

Share The Fun - Washington State Fair

Put yourself in this picture and "Share the Fun!"

Yes!  The Washington State Fair is fast approaching.    Last year park staff and volunteers talked to over 11,000 people and thousands more checked out our exhibits.   

This year you have two opportunities to "Share the Fun."

#1. Staffing the Mount Rainier Booth:   We would like to have two park people for each of the three  3 to 3 1/2-hour shifts a day.  You will receive a ticket for admission to the fair and a parking pass (together worth almost $25).  You can experience the fair before and/or after your shift.    The fair runs from September 5th through September 21st.   The Fair has changed the opening time on Mon-Thur so we have slightly different schedules on those days compared to Fri-Sun.
Mon-Thur:  first shift 11:00-2:30, second shift 2:30-5:30, third shift 5:30-8:30.
Fri-Sun:  first shift 10:00-1:30, second shift 1:30-5:00, third shift 5:00-8:30.

#2. Staff the Snowshoe Walk:   On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6 PM the NW Outdoors Building and Mount Rainier National Park will be providing a snowshoe experience (mainly for kids, but adults can try too).  The trail of straw will be in its own dedicated area.  The trail will be an L-shaped loop about 30 yards long and will wonder around and through a native plant display, which we hope will also include a water feature.  There will be two 3-hr shifts each day and we need at least two people each shift.  It will be a busy, but quick, three hours.  You will also receive a ticket and parking pass.
Fri-Sun:  first shift noon-3:00, second shift 3:00-6:00
 
The park is an important part of the Northwest Outdoors Alliance.  Our exhibits will occupy one of the largest spaces in the building.   But the most important part is a real live person representing the park service, talking with all those enthusiastic fairgoers.

I hope you can help out.   You will have a great time at the fair and I look forward to hearing from you.   An email response would be best, since at this time of the year I’m seldom in the office.  Tell me what activity, date, and time shift would work for you.  Also please include your current mailing address so I can mail you instructions, maps, and tickets.

As in past years, park supervisors may allow their employees to do a shift at the fair on park time if the supervisor can make a day available. Including drive time and shift time it usually makes close to an eight hour day.    Park employees who volunteer to do a shift on their own time may wear their normal uniform.  Uniforms are not a requirement to volunteer. 

Thanks, and we’ll see you at the fair.
Jim Ross
Outreach Specialist
Mount Rainier National Park
55210 238th Ave. E.
Ashford, WA 98304-9751
360-569-6568 (summer only)

Great photos needed!

Hi all,

I have received some great suggestions for our Washington State Fair exhibit on Mount Rainier Wilderness. What I haven't received are great photos. If you have some super photos of Rainier wilderness please share them for possible use on our exhibit. Time is short so please help ASAP.

Please include location of each picture so it can be properly located on the map that will be part of the exhibit.

Here are examples of photos needed:

• Unique wilderness (I'm especially looking for a good photo of the natural bridge)
• Wilderness that can be enjoyed on a easy day hike
• Fantastic wilderness flower meadows (not Paradise, Sunrise, or Tipsoo Lake)
• Wilderness waterfalls
• Wilderness lakes
• Night sky from the wilderness
• Historic structures in the wilderness - lookouts, shelters, ranger cabins
• The summit and the route to it
• Camping in the wilderness (especially short distance camps) 
• Wilderness wildlife (goats, mountain lions or other cats)
• Anything else you feel expresses the unique Rainier wilderness

The pictures need to be of relatively high resolution so they can be enlarged. Please send them to me by e-mail at Jim_Ross (at) nps.gov. If the files are large, please send the attachments one at a time, they come through better that way.

Thanks,

Jim Ross
Outreach Ranger

Kudos to Astronomy and Fair Volunteers!

I've received two good reports in my office over the last 24 hours. The first is from Jim Ross, who coordinated our volunteer presence at the Mount Rainier National Park booth at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup:

Just got back from the fairgrounds and the final cleanup of the building. The big-leaf maple challenge puzzle was completed 311 times. We estimate the fisher puzzle was completed 2400 times since it was completed 5-10 times for every time the challenge puzzle was completed. Although total numbers were down some this year, I feel it was one of our best years at the fair.

The second report is from Curt Jacquot, who supervises the volunteer astronomy program at Paradise:

Our "Star" volunteer Don West-Wilke set records for contacts and hours this season. He worked Thursdays through Mondays every week from June 14 through September 15.

Total Contacts: 10,192
Total Hours: 595.5

These two reports represent tens of thousands of people who learned about Mount Rainier and its stellar resources who would have otherwise been left in the dark. Great work, everyone!

More photos of volunteers in action

I've received a flurry of photos from volunteer projects around the park lately. It's always a lot of fun to see what everyone is doing, and to share that good work with you! These images come from volunteer Ed Hunds:

Meadow Rover volunteers point the way for visitors at Glacier Vista

And how does this compare with your office?

Volunteers help represent the National Park Service at the Northwest
Outdoors exhibit at the Puyallup - er - Washington State Fair.

Hay! You don't even need snow to try out snowshoeing
with the help of volunteers!

"Share the Wonder!"

Put yourself in this picture and "Share the Wonder!"

Yes! It's almost time to do the Puyallup. Only this year it is the "Washington State Fair." Last year park staff and volunteers talked to over 14,200 people and thousands more checked out our exhibits.   

This year you have two opportunities to "Share the Wonder."

#1. Staffing the Mount Rainier Booth: We would like to have two park people for each of the three 3 1/2-hour shifts a day (10 AM – 1:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 5 PM, 5 PM – 8:30 PM). You will receive a ticket for admission to the fair and a parking pass (together worth almost $25). You can experience the fair before and/or after your shift. The fair runs from September 6th through September 22nd.   

#2. Staff the Snowshoe Walk (bigger and better): On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6 PM the NW Outdoors Building and Mount Rainier National Park will be providing a snowshoe experience (mainly for kids, but adults can try too). The trail of straw will wonder around and through the Rails-to-Trails booth, the native plant display, and the Christmas trees (40-50 yards round trip). There will be two 3-hr shifts each day (12-3 and 3-6) and we need at least two people each shift. It will be a busy, but quick, three hours. You will also receive a ticket and parking pass.

The park is an important part of the Northwest Outdoors Alliance. Our exhibits will occupy one of the largest spaces in the building. But the most important part is a real live person representing the park service, talking with all those enthusiastic fairgoers.

I hope you can help out. You will have a great time at the fair and I look forward to hearing from you. An email response would be best, since at this time of the year I’m seldom in the office. Tell me what activity, date, and time shift would work for you. Also please include your mailing address so I can mail you instructions, maps, and tickets.

As in past years, park supervisors may allow their employees to do a shift at the fair on park time if the supervisor can make a day available. Including drive time and shift time it usually makes close to an eight hour day. Park employees who volunteer to do a shift on their own time may wear their normal uniform. Uniforms are not a requirement to volunteer.

Thanks, and we’ll see you at the fair.

Jim Ross
jim_ross@nps.gov