Naturalist & Information Volunteer Training June, 2015

Story and Photos by Lisa Pengel

The Appalachian Mountain Club offers annual training opportunities for AMC members to become Information and/or Naturalist Volunteers. The 2015 training sessions were held the weekend of June 5-7, 2015 at the Gorman Chairback Lodge in Greenville, Maine. Two other sessions were offered during the month of May, at two other locations: Mohican Outdoor Center in NJ, and the Highland Center in NH.

This year’s training was the third such weekend long event that Jeff and I have attended. By being naturalist volunteers, we are able to share our love of natural history by staying in the huts and lodges and offering “talks and walks” with anyone interested. We are given a list of available dates for the summer season, where there are openings to have these naturalist stints. Openings are available for naturalists whenever the AMC staff naturalist is off duty at a particular hut or lodge. During the summer of 2014, Jeff and I had the pleasure of doing four naturalist stints in the high huts of the White Mountains.

Throughout our training weekend, the workshops were organized to include opportunities to learn about the many aspects of the natural world and tips on how to share our enthusiasm for the natural world in both presentations and when speaking to the public when we volunteer. Thanks to Nancy Ritger, AMC Senior Interpretive Naturalist, and Kelli Shedd, AMC Volunteer Coordinator, for once again putting together a great program.

Friday we arrived at Gorman to a VERY heart meal of grilled salmon and blueberry sauce, rice pilaf, salads, grilled asparagus, and cheesecake! A full bar is also available. We enjoyed our talk by Steve Tatko, the manager of the Maine lodges. Saturday, after a VERY hearty breakfast of banana muffins, bacon, fruit salad, and pancakes, we had a full day of workshops, mostly held outside where we enjoyed bluebird skies and views of the ponds and peaks. We managed to fit in a hike to Third Mountain, which connects to the A.T., and many of us participated in role playing and impromptu natural history teaching and learning along the way. Saturday evening we were treated to another fabulous meal, this time a full turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, potatoes, salads, and strawberry rhubarb cobbler! Saturday evening activities included a bon fire with homemade smores, star gazing, swimming, and paddling. Sunday morning breakfast was just as fabulous, and our morning activities were informative and fun. Several of us gave impromptu teachings and talks, some included walks along the trails outside or wading in the ponds. Each day a bagged lunch was provided to us that we could take with us during our activities and travels.

Being volunteers for AMC is just one way of giving back and encouraging others to step outside and enjoy the world around us!