Vicksburg National Military Park
Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017
Application
Vicksburg National Military Park invites children ages 13-16 years old to discover the fascinating historical, cultural, and natural resources of Vicksburg National Military Park while also exploring career opportunities with the National Park Service and the importance of volunteerism and being active park stewards. Campers, or Rangers-In-Training (RITs), will get to explore the park in a new and behind the scenes way. They’ll get to meet with leaders in all park divisions, learn about the many benefits parks can offer a community, build their leadership skills, and become park stewards.
Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017 will be held from Monday, June 5 to Friday, June 9, 2017.Ranger-In-Training Camp will run from 8 am to 2 pm daily. Lunch and snacks will be provided to RITs. As a part of their Ranger-In-Training experience, all participants will be required to come back for one week of Junior Ranger Summer Camp as a volunteer to help run camp for the younger children. This is an important requirement of camp because it provides RITs with volunteer and leadership experience. It gives them the chance to share what they’ve learned with the younger campers. RITs will sign their own volunteer agreements and be able to count these volunteer hours for any community service requirement they may have. Junior Ranger Summer Camp will be held Monday, June 19 to Friday, June 23, 2017. The second camp will be held Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 21, 2017. Both Junior Ranger Summer Camps will run 8 am – 12 noon daily. Be sure to indicate which session of Junior Ranger Summer Camp you would like to come back to help out with on your application. All RITs must be available June 5-9 and either June 19-23 or July 17-21, 2017.
The camp is free, but registration is required. Space is limited to 10 participants. Selection will be based on the applicant’s level of interest and date availability. All applicants will be required to fill out the below application and provide a letter of interest answering several questions. These letters are to be written by the applicant, not the applicant’s parents. This letter should address what the applicant hopes to gain from Ranger-In-Training Camp, how they will contribute to camp, and how they will take what they learn during camp into their own communities. A sample of activities is provided at the end of this application to help RITs write their application letter.
IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMES
The application submission deadline is Monday,May 15, 2017 5:00 pm CST.
Selectees will be notified via phone or email by Friday, May 19.
** Ranger-In-Training Camp will be held June 5-9, 2017 from 8 am to 2 pm daily. Please check here to confirm that you’re completely available during this time to attend Ranger-In-Training Camp: ______
** Which week of Junior Ranger Summer Camp would you like to volunteer for
____June 19-23, 2017____ July 17-21, 2017
If you’re available to help out with both weeks, select both and we will place you in the week where your help is most needed.
The entire application packet must be completed, signed, and submitted by the above-listed deadline for consideration.
Thank you for your interest in Vicksburg National Military Park Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017.
Sample Agenda (This schedule is subject to change and is only meant to provide you with an idea of the topics we’ll cover during camp.)
Monday: Introduction the Vicksburg NMP and the National Park Service
-Introductions
-Tour of the park
-Meet with the Park Superintendent, Park Law Enforcement Officers, and Park Administration to learn about their roles in our park.
Tuesday: Interpretation, History, and Cultural Resources at VNMP
-National Cemetery walk and discussion
-“A Sailor’s Life on a Gunboat” living history program
-Behind-the-scenes tour of the U.S.S. Cairo and the Archives Building
Wednesday: Natural Resources and Maintaining our Park
-Invasive species removal volunteer project with Natural Resources Program Manager
-Tour Maintenance facilities and learn about all the work that goes into keeping our park functioning and beautiful
-Explore the park’s many monuments and design your own monument
Thursday: Importance of Parks and the Civil War
-Discussion on the importance of parks
-Hike on the Al Scheller Boy Scout Trail
-Exploring the relevance of the Civil War today
Friday: Volunteering at Junior Ranger Summer Camp and In The Community
-Training for volunteering at Junior Ranger Summer Camp
-Pizza party with VNMP Volunteers and Rangers
Letter of Interest
Please attach your letter of interest. This letter should be written by the applicant and will be a factor in making selections for camp. The letter should not be longer than 2 pages, but should be sure to answer the following questions:
- Why are you interested in attending Ranger-In-Training Camp?
- What skills or interests will you bring to the Ranger-In-Training Camp?
- How will you bring what you learn at Ranger-In-Training Camp into your own community?
I understand that Vicksburg National Military Park (VNMP) Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017 will be held June 5-9, 2017 and that my child will be required to volunteer at either session of Junior Ranger Summer Camp (June 19-23 OR July 17-21). RITs will be chosen based on their application letters and date availability. Children must be between the ages of 13 and 16 years old by the start of camp.
I hereby request that my child be considered for selection for participation in VNMP Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017. I understand and I am aware that my child will be participating in many physical activities and that the potential for accidents does exist. In consideration of acceptance to VNMP Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017 the following statements apply:
I indemnify and hold harmless Vicksburg National Military Park, The National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, and its staff/volunteers from any and all liability, claims, damage, injury, or illness sustained by my child.
Additionally, I grant permission for VNMP to provide or obtain medical attention for my child in the event of sickness or injury and I understand accident insurance is not included. Should a camper require special medical attention, prescriptions, or hospital care during the camp session, parent(s)/guardian(s) shall bear the expenses.
Moreover, my child may be participating in the following activities: hiking, cooking, arts and crafts, physical activity, black powder demonstrations, traveling in non-commercial vehicles, wildlife observation, photography, and other outdoor activities for extended periods of time.
Consequently, should my child be selected to attend camp, I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure my child will be dropped off and picked up from camp on time. My child will be dropped off no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and picked up no later than 2:15 p.m. Designee(s) for pick-up will require state-issued identification.
Finally, VNMP has my permission to use my child’s image in photos and media associated with VNMP Ranger-In-Training and Junior Ranger Summer Camp 2017.
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
All applications must be received in the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center or by email to (with the subject line “Ranger-In-Training Camp Application”) by5:00 pm on Monday, May 15, 2017. Individuals selected for camp will be notified via phone or email byFriday, May 19, 2017. Prior to camp, parents and participants will receive additional information on what to bring, detailed camp agendas, and more. If you have any questions throughout the application process, please contact Molly Cadwell at Vicksburg National Military Park at (601) 629-8133 or 601-636-0583 ext. 2696. I can also be emailed at: .
We expect selected campers to participate in all Ranger-In-Training and Junior Ranger Summer camp activities in order to fully experience and enjoy the educational and recreational opportunities being provided. Your signed application signifies understanding and acceptance of these responsibilities. In addition, should a behavior or discipline problem affect our work with other campers or their enjoyment of Ranger-In-Training or Junior Ranger Summer Camp, we reserve the right to dismiss those campers responsible.
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. No information will be disseminated publicly or maintained beyond the close of our 2017 camp session.
ID #
Office Use Only
**Application MUST be signed for applicant to be considered.**
Please return completed application to:
Vicksburg National Military Park
Ranger-In-Training Camp 2017
Attention: Molly Cadwell
3201 Clay Street
Vicksburg, MS 39183
Or to with the subject line “Ranger-In-Training Camp Application.”
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