I have always referred to my interns as rock stars because the sound of their voices every morning when they arrive to work is music to my ears, and when they are by my side helping me through the never-ending pile of work I have on my desk, I want to dance around like I do every time I hear “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley. I am sure you can imagine how I felt when we were given the okay to launch our first ever Virginia State Parks. Let’s just say I had a silent dance party in my office.
A gift from two of my past interns that I still cherish
I am reminded everyday how very cool my job is. I am forced to drive across the beautiful state of Virginia into a state park that greets you with tree-lined roads, park staff that makes you feel welcome, deer sprinting across the fields, birds chirping and bodies of water that look as if they blend into the greenery that surrounds them. Many times during my travels to the parks, I stopped right in the middle of what should have been a serious conversation and said to the Park Manager, “Wow, this is not a bad office to have.”
So many people think that parks run themselves but there are tons of people who work day and night to keep our parks open, clean and safe. Then there’s us. The marketing gurus who work behind-the-scenes to make sure people know about the parks and what to do when they get there. We are kind of like Santa’s elves. You believe maybe, just maybe, they exist but you never get to see them. Then, one day, you get an opportunity like this to go behind the curtain to hang out with the rock stars themselves (or with a really great marketing team who thinks of themselves as rock stars).
Cameron Lipscomb started as an intern and is now a Park Ranger
Finally students have the opportunity to become rock stars by experiencing what we do every day by joining the State Parks Virginia State Parks are promoted in the best way possible, create ways to increase attendance and awareness of the parks, develop programs to engage families, kids, nature enthusiasts and more and promote the many things available at the parks from camping and kayaking to horseback riding and fishing. Maybe it’s just me, but that is pretty cool.
To learn more about how to become part of our marketing team by joining the Virginia State Parks’ click here. But before you go, take a look at some of my favorite snapshots taken during my travels to the parks. Until next time…
A morning view off the balcony of my room at Breaks Interstate Park
Taking in a piece of history at Martin’s Station at Wilderness Road State Park
Experiencing the wonder that is Natural Tunnel State Park
Even the scenery leaving Hungry Mother State Park is breathtaking
Admiring the wild ponies eating on the hills at Grayson Highlands State Park
The moon seemed brighter over Claytor Lake State Park
Discovering some of the most beautiful trails at Caledon State Park
Taking a moment to enjoy the ocean at False Cape State Park