Looking for Cougar Rock Campground Hosts

Have you been toying with the idea of applying for a Campground Host position at Mount Rainier National Park? Now is the time! Our Campground Manager, Debbie Hannevig, is currently looking for candidates to fill that position between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. If you're not able to commit for the entire summer, that's O.K. too; we often work with one individual or couple at the beginning of the season and someone else for the second half. Do note, however, that maximum RV length is 30 feet, due to the small spaces in our historic campground.

You can find the vacancy announcement and online application link here, along with details on how to find more information about the position. We hope to see you here this summer!

Mission: Outdoors

This past weekend, Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th, I had the privilege of attending a Sierra Club listening session for their program to engage military families in outdoor activities. I attended as a representative of the National Park Service and, specifically, the Pacific West Region's volunteer program. The goal was to identify barriers in working with veterans and to develop strategies for overcoming them.

We had 20 people in attendance, at Islandwood, a residential environmental education facility on Bainbridge Island -- 5 from Sierra Club, 14 from various military connections, and me. The military attendees included active military from Joint Base Lewis McChord, and veterans who are now working with other veterans in some capacity like the VA or community-based organizations. The leader of the Sierra Club effort was Stacy Bare, a veteran who now works to get other veterans connected to outdoor programs through the Sierra Club, and who has a great personal story of finding healing and purpose through his own experiences hiking and climbing. Another of the Sierra Club people was an excellent facilitator who walked us through discussion topics like what barriers exist in working with military veterans and how to overcome them. And there was a lot of social interaction built in, too, which created a great comradery in the group. I made some friends, and I have some great contacts for making further connections with local military.

Sierra Club is also tentatively planning a weekend trip for veterans to Mystic Lake here in Mount Rainier National Park this summer, as one of the outcomes of our meeting.

The meeting was interesting for me, too, because a lot of the issues of engaging with the military apply in similar ways to outreach efforts in other communities as well, such as under-represented ethnic and economic groups.

Some key insights:

• Involve veterans in the outreach to veterans. Nothing breaks down barriers like having someone there who shares your experience.
• Consider mentorships. Don't just make the connection and then forget about it; actively check in on people.
• Plan a positive first experience that sets a welcoming tone.
• Establish a relationship with "two-way value." Don't just provide a service, engage the veterans in contributing as well.
• Find common ground and a common sense of purpose. This can help break down perceived barriers between groups (e.g. liberal tree huggers vs conservative gun nuts) and replace them with a common cause (e.g. working together to protect the natural places we both value).
• Create networks with other places, so that as military people move from place to place, they are welcomed in their new locations too.
• Be realistic about what you're offering. "We're not a therapy organization," Stacy said of the Sierra Club -- but they can offer outings in a therapeutic wilderness setting.
• Be sensitive to the issues some veterans face. Physical and psychological traumas like traumatic brain injury and PTSD can create challenges. At the same time, recognize than many vets have no such issues, and those that do are committed to overcoming them.
• Be mission oriented. That's what attracts many people to the military, and also to groups like Sierra Club (and NPS). Military people tend to relish a goal-oriented mission and challenge.

The Sierra Club's military outreach programs are just one aspect of a groundswell of such programs that are starting up all over the country as veterans return from Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. They go by all kinds of names -- Post to Parks, Operation Warfighter, Operation Purple, Wounded Warriors, Mission: Outdoors, Veterans Job Corps, and more -- but they have in common a goal of working with veterans in positive ways. The National Park Service has already been identified as a key partner in these efforts, and based on my experience this weekend at Islandwood, I believe that the Sierra Club will, in turn, be a very productive partner for us in accomplishing these goals.

Read more on the Sierra Club's military outreach blog page.

Life and Death on Mount Rainier

Few people realize what an important role volunteers play in Search and Rescue efforts at Mount Rainier National Park. In fact, every time there's a major incident, one that lasts more than the initial few hours, a veritable batallion of volunteer rescuers show up to help. Our own Nordic Patrol volunteers, members of the Washington Ski Touring Club, who patrol the Paradise area on skis every weekend, are almost always some of the first to respond. They're followed by Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Olympia Mountain Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, volunteer bloodhound teams, and more.

Even fewer people know that volunteers are part of an innovative effort by Lead Climbing Ranger Stefan Lofgren to prevent search and rescue events from happening in the first place. These volunteer "PSAR" -- Preventative Search and Rescue -- rangers patrol the upper meadows and lower climbing routes, talking to people on their way up the Mountain, and making sure they have good information about what they're getting into. It often doesn't stop people from walking further into danger -- but when those first signs of trouble come up, they're more likely to think back on the ranger's advice and turn back.

There was a great article in the News Tribune on Sunday about Carrie Tomlinson, our current PSAR volunteer.

For $20 per day, lodging at Longmire and 16 college credits, she spends weekdays at Paradise splitting her time between snowshoes and her desk, answering questions and relaying information, among other duties.... "You have the people who are 'Go big or go home,'" Tomlinson said. "But sometimes it's better to not go big so you can go home."

Read the whole article on the website of The News Tribune. And if this sounds like a great job to you, we hope to hire more PSAR rangers this summer. You can also volunteer with the Washington Ski Touring Club's Nordic Patrol or with a local Mountain Rescue unit!

Updated Procession Route

The route of Margaret Anderson's procession tomorrow has been changed. Here is the updated route (turn by turn directions can also be found at The News Tribune):


View Larger Map

This will be the last update on this blog before the Memorial Service; however, keep an eye on the Employee Blog in case there are any other last-minute notices.

Protocols for ceremonial events

The protocols for when and how to wear a hat (including a volunteer ball cap), how and when to salute, etc. have been posted on the Employee Blog. If you will be attending the ceremony, please review these protocols in advance. They will be reviewed in person, as well, at the 12:00 briefing for NPS employees in the Memorial Auditorium.

Shuttle Bus Update - Highly Encouraged for Traveling to Memorial Service RSVP by 2:00

From the Memorial Service planning team:

We are strongly encouraging employees to ride the shuttle bus to Pacific Lutheran University. The shuttle bus will have a police escort and will arrive at the auditorium before the procession. Since the bus is arriving before the procession, employees will be able to attend processional ceremonies, including multi-agency pipe bands, rifle team, and mounted patrol. It is expected that traffic will be difficult to maneuver, especially around the time the processional will arrive. Additionally, parking may be full early. Due to these factors, please consider riding the bus--it will reduce additional stress during this emotional event.


Response to the shuttle buses has been low, and we may cancel buses if more employees do not choose to ride. Please contact us immediately if you are planning to ride. Remember, family members and friends are also welcome and encouraged to ride the shuttle.

The shuttle bus for employees will be meeting at 7:00 am and leaving at 7:15 am from the Eatonville Baptist Church to the memorial.

Please contact us: MountRainierInfo@gmail.com

or

360-569-6592 (Brandi's line)

We also need to know the amount of people who will be traveling with you and a phone you can be reached from.

The church is located about 3 miles off of Hwy 7/Mountain Highway. Take the Eatonville Hwy West exit. The driveway to the church is on the right just as you go down the hill and enter the town limits. [Here's a link to a map.]

The bus will be leaving Pacific Lutheran University at 5:00 pm to return to the Eatonville Baptist Church.

Volunteers: Please RSVP if you plan to attend the Memorial

I've posted this before, but it's gotten buried in the flurry of other information, so just a reminder: if you plan to attend the Memorial Service tomorrow as a Mount Rainier National Park volunteer, please RSVP to MountRainierInfo@gmail.com. Let us know if you're attending with any family members. That will give us a better sense of how many seats to reserve. Thanks!

For clarity, we will only have room in the Olson Auditorium for staff (including volunteers) and their partners or family members. Members of the public who are not family members of active employees/volunteers will be directed to overflow seating.

Volunteer Q&A for Memorial Service

I received an e-mail this morning asking for specific information on uniforms and other logistics as they apply to volunteers. It's timely and relevant, so I'll post the questions and responses for everyone here:

• Q: Should we wear our green volunteer cap?
  A: Yes. If the uniform you wear while volunteering includes a hat with a volunteer patch on it, please wear it.
   
• Q: If a volunteer does not have a long sleeve shirt, can he/she wear a short sleeve shirt?
  A: Yes. If you have both, please wear long sleeves. If you only have a summer (short sleeve) uniform shirt, it's fine to wear that.
   
• Q: Can we wear some layer like dark turtle neck shirt under the volunteer shirt? With short sleeve volunteer shirt?
  A: Yes. Dark layers that match the uniform shirt may be worn underneath either the long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirt for warmth.
   
• Q: Can we wear fleece/softshell jackets with sewed-on volunteer patch that we wear during cool weather? If yes, does the color of the jacket matter?
  A: It will probably be too warm in the auditorium for fleece or jackets, and uniformed paid employees will not be wearing outerwear. Jackets of any color should only be worn if you do not own a long-sleeved volunteer shirt, your jacket is lightweight and appropriate for an indoor setting, and you feel that it looks nicer than the alternative. Use your own judgment.
   
• Q: How about footwear? Dressy street shoes or field boots (clean)?
  A: Dressy street shoes are preferable if you have them available. Clean field boots are appropriate only if you do not own dress shoes and your field boots look nicer than the alternative.
   
• Q: Who are considered current MORA volunteers?
  A: Our volunteers range from current, full-time, and long-term to those who came up for a single visit several years ago as part of a larger group. All are part of our extended "family," and everyone's contribution is deeply appreciated, however small, but lines do need to be drawn due to limited space. If you're a current, recurring volunteer (i.e. you've participated several times in the past year), you're welcome to join us. If not, we'd appreciate it if you'd defer to others. A good guideline is this: if you can promptly name your supervisor at the park, and if they would readily recognize you on sight, you should consider yourself invited.
   
• Q: Is the 12:00 pm briefing for Mount Rainier National Park employees and their immediate families for current paid employees only?
  A: The briefing includes everyone who will be seated in the Mount Rainier employees section in the first tier of seats in the auditorium. This includes both paid employees and active volunteers, as well as their families.

Thanks for the questions, and if you have others, feel free to give me a call or drop me a note. I'll be in my office at 360-569-6567 until approximately 4:30 this afternoon.

Memorial Service details including seating arrangements

A lot of employees, including volunteers, have had questions about seating at Margaret Anderson's Memorial Service tomorrow. Here's the scoop:

Due to limited seating capacity, Olson Auditorium will be reserved for those directly related to Margaret's family or work. This includes the following groups:

• Margaret and Eric's family
• Dignitaries
• Mount Rainier National Park employees (including volunteers) and their families
• Other National Park Service employees (including off-duty seasonal employees)
• Affected park visitors (e.g. those involved in the lockdown at Paradise)
• Pierce County police and fire
• Law enforcement and fire personnel
• Representatives from state parks and other federal agencies

Members of the general public will be directed to three overflow areas, two of them on the PLU campus, the third being Rainier View Christian Church, 12305 Spanaway Loop Rd S, Tacoma.

Mount Rainier National Park employees (including volunteers) and family will be seated in the first tier of seats next to the stage, with other National Park Service employees in the second set of seats on risers behind them. Only about 300 seats are available specifically for Mount Rainier National Park staff in the first tier of seats. Numbers in excess of that will be seated at the front of the general NPS contingent in the second tier.

Because space is so limited, we are asking all employees to make sure that those who knew Margaret and her family, or those who were directly involved in the events of last week, have priority in the first tier of seats. Thank you for your cooperation.

Mount Rainier National Park staff should meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Memorial Gymnasium, just east of Olson Auditorium, for a briefing prior to the Memorial Service. We will then be seated as a group just before the service begins. The service is expected to last about an hour and a half, and will be followed by an additional 15-20 minutes of Last Honors which will take place outside the auditorium but which we expect to stream on live video to screens inside the auditorium. Audience members will be dismissed following the Last Honors.

NPS employees are invited to a reception after the ceremony at the Norwegian Heritage Center, a short walk from Olson Auditorium.

For those who are unable to attend, the Memorial Service will be broadcast live on the Internet by Northwest Cable News (NWCN) at http://www.nwcn.com/and KING 5 at http://www.king5.com/. NWCN will be broadcasting live to areas of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska.

Bussing available to Anderson Memorial -- RSVP ASAP

I just learned at this morning's briefing that shuttles will be available for employees (including volunteers and family members) to get to the Memorial Service at Pacific Lutheran University tomorrow. Employees are asked to RSVP by 11am (which is only 20 minutes away as I write this, so just do so ASAP) to indicate whether you would like to take advantage of the shuttle service.

RSVP either by e-mail to MountRainierInfo@gmail.com or by phone to Brandi Stewart at 360-569-6592.

Complicating matters is that as of this writing the pickup locations and times have not been confirmed, although tentatively there will be a shuttle leaving from the Eatonville Baptist Church in Eatonville at 9:30 a.m. Additional stops and shuttles will be added as needed, so when you RSVP, let us know how many are coming and where you'd like to be picked up. We'll accommodate as best we can, and confirm pickup times and locations later this afternoon. Watch the employee blog for the most up to date details: http://moraemployees.blogspot.com/.

The shuttle will hopefully arrive in time for Margaret's processional, but in any case will be there in time for the employee briefing at noon in the Memorial Gymnasium. Watch for a separate blog post momentarily with those details. The shuttle will return after the NPS reception, which will follow the Memorial; that timing is also yet to be determined.

If you do not ride the shuttle, parking is being reserved for NPS employees in the Ivy lot just south of the Memorial Gymnasium and southeast of Olson Auditorium. Space is limited, so please carpool.