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Shenandoah park is using GPS units to help lure visitors. |
LURAY--
A new project at Shenandoah National Park involves creating podcasts that will range from virtual hikes to features on flora, fauna and history. Another is the offering
Toss in a number of other projects and one of Shenandoah's goals becomes clear.
"It's all about making connections with the park's users, those who are here and others we hope to interest in coming," said Karen Beck-Herzog, public affairs officer.
Claire Comer, an interpretive specialist who has played a key role in the new programs, said Shenandoah is trying to make personal connections.
"So many people come and are struck by the natural beauty and history of the park," said Comer. "The challenge for us often is just getting them here. One focus has been new technologies."
The new and revamped programs include:
The GPS Ranger program.
This hand-held view screen guides visitors along hikes at Hawksbill, Dark Hollow Falls, Big Meadows and on a short section of the Appalachian Trail.
I sampled it along the latter, and marveled at the way passing certain spots kicked up video clips on the history of the AT, details on homesteads and residents and more.
Comer, who has a family connection to land in the park, is the face you see providing the dozen or so segments per trail.
The units, with a battery life of three to four hours, are available at Byrd Visitor Center for $9.95.
Park-produced podcasts.
Park staffer Neal Lewis didn't have to be convinced that podcasts are
"That's what I watch instead of television," he said of the downloadable audio and video programs.
Using grant funds and staff on hand, Shenandoah has geared up for the gradual production of podcasts.
So far, iTunes users can call up podcasts on "Spring in Shenandoah" and "Rapidan Camp," the getaway built by President Herbert Hoover that was the precursor to Camp David. They also can subscribe
"Hopefully, you'll one day soon be able to take
A teacher-ranger program.
A new approach to getting work done at Shenandoah and other national parks involves recruiting school teachers as rangers for a summer.
They take information and excitement about the park back into classrooms.
Tara Huffman, a teacher at Luray High School, worked this year to begin identifying park earth-caching sites.
Earth-caching is an activity where hobbyists use GPS units to find interesting natural features and formations in a high-tech game of seek and find.
Denny Catron, a sixth-grade science teacher at Rappahannock County Elementary, created a program to teach novice campers the basics.
"We had a great two-day trip in the outdoors with folks who knew nothing about camping," he said. "They left with a basic understanding of equipment and planning."
An online-classroom project.
Again using grant funds, the park has hired teachers to help create online curriculum about the park's connection to Hoover, Rapidan Camp, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Great Depression.
The online units are based on fifth-grade SOLs.
Ginny Browne, a government teacher at Page County High School, worked on the Hoover/Rapidan Camp unit.
"They'll be able to pick and choose, using enough for one class or for a week more more," said Browne of the units, which are still being finalized. "They also address what was happening elsewhere in that period of history."
Details on using the various new programs and resources will be available soon on park's Web site, nps.gov/shen.
Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com
