Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Internship - Summer 2015
Throughout the summer I spent my time building bridges, mowing, weed eating, operating tractors, and general grounds
and maintenance work. Everyday I learned something new and different giving me an enormous amount of experience during
my trip.
To be selected for this internship I had to be in a program called The Student Conservation Association and of at least 18 years of age.
My official job description was along the lines of, "This position is at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park located in Daviston, Alabama. The intern will perform sub-journeyman level maintenance, repairs and trail bridge construction on park trails. The intern will be required to assist with hands on maintenance and preservation of cultural landscape of the park with the ability to work in a hot, humid environment with various implements ranging from hand tools, power tools to UTVs. Interns will perform carpentry work, primarily using treated lumber to construct foot bridges and water bars. Interns will measure, cut and install dimensional lumber using on site measurements, verbal and/or written directions, blueprints or simple plans and specifications. Will use a wide variety of tools associated with carpentry trade, hand saws, power circular saws, jig saws, power and hand drills."
Throughout the summer I spent my time building bridges, mowing, weed eating, operating tractors, and general grounds
and maintenance work. Everyday I learned something new and different giving me an enormous amount of experience during
my trip.
To be selected for this internship I had to be in a program called The Student Conservation Association and of at least 18 years of age.
My official job description was along the lines of, "This position is at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park located in Daviston, Alabama. The intern will perform sub-journeyman level maintenance, repairs and trail bridge construction on park trails. The intern will be required to assist with hands on maintenance and preservation of cultural landscape of the park with the ability to work in a hot, humid environment with various implements ranging from hand tools, power tools to UTVs. Interns will perform carpentry work, primarily using treated lumber to construct foot bridges and water bars. Interns will measure, cut and install dimensional lumber using on site measurements, verbal and/or written directions, blueprints or simple plans and specifications. Will use a wide variety of tools associated with carpentry trade, hand saws, power circular saws, jig saws, power and hand drills."
Mission statement of the National Park Service: "The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world."
Benefits
- Room and board provided
- Paid internship
- Multiple recreational opportunities, such as: canoeing, hiking, and fishing
- Networking opportunities
- Exposure to some of southern America's most natural environments
Achievements
- New skills in carpentry and bridge building
- Experience in operating 4 different types of John Deere and New Holland tractors
- Experience mowing, weed eating, and bush-hogging in a natural environment
- Exposure to many different operations in the administration of a National Park
