Big Bend National Park Volunteer Orientation/Training

[SideRoads]

BIBE has the most comprehensive and challenging volunteer training program I have seen or attended to date. New Park Rangers and Volunteers attend the same 2 week orientation.

Monday
8:00 am Welcome/Training Overview/Park Organization
8:30 am Logistics/Tour of HQ
9:15 am Break
9:30 am Keys, Security Codes, IT course info
10:00 am Recycling Program
10:15am Tour of Panther Junction
Noon Lunch on your own
1:00 pm Tour of the Basin
3:30 pm VIP program, Uniforms, Complete paperwork
Tuesday
8:00 am Welcome from the Superintendent &
Meet the Chiefs – Interpretation, Science and
Resource Management, Administration, Resource
and Visitor Protection, Maintenance, Border Patrol
9:15 am Cultural Resources
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Trails
10:40 am Dispatch
10:50 am Fire
11:00 am River Cache/River Trip orientation
noon Lunch on your own (at Lodge, store, or picnic)
1:00 pm Lions & Bears – includes hike on Lost Mine
Trail (about 2 miles round-trip, mild elev. gain)
Wednesday
8:00 am “Making Connections” - Interpretation
(breaks as needed)
11:00 am Nuts & Bolts of Interpretation
noon Lunch on your own
1:00 pm Nuts & Bolts of Interpretation (continued)
2:30 pm Guided Walk Observation – Field Trip
Thursday
8:00 am Geology and Paleontology Field Trip
Friday and Saturday
8:00 am River Trip
Sunday
Relax and enjoy your day off!
Monday
8:00 am South Rim Hike – Field Trip
12-mile hike with 2,000’ elevation gain
Bring water, lunch, and personal items as desired
Tuesday
8:00 am Fee collection, campground reservation system
9:00 am Break
9:15 am Plants
10:30 am Birds
Noon Lunch
1:00 pm Old Ore Road – Field Trip 1/2 Day
Wednesday
8:00 am Cultural History – Field Trip
noon Lunch on your own
1:00 Big Bend Natural History Association
1:30 Big Bend Ranch State Park
2:00 pm Backcountry Permits (Roadside and backpacking)
Thursday
8:00 am Rio Grande Village area orientation – Field Trip
Picnic lunch @ Daniels Ranch
Friday
8:00 am Backcountry Permits (River, horse, and fishing)
11:00 Break
11:15 Forever Resorts
noon Lunch on your own
1:00 pm Final Exam
3:30 pm Wrap-up; Course evaluation

[sandersmr]

There are some pretty good hikes there - and I really like Old Ore Road.