We have a great group of interns working for the NFCT this season. As a paddling community we are very lucky. I have to admit that I have been looking forward to the field season with great anticipation. The night before the interns arrived I had the feeling you get the night before the first day of school, excited to meet new people. The crew has delivered on all points of expectation.
We just finished up our training week with the Stewardship Intern Crews, and I must say I have been thoroughly impressed with not only the experiences they bring with them to the trail, but also the content of their characters.
Here’s their mug shots so you know who to thank and give a hearty pat on the back if you see them out on the Trail:
The New York Crew
Stefan is in charge of developing volunteer opportunities on the NFCT in New York. He is attending Warren Wilson College for Environmental Studies (Sustainable Forestry). He also brings with him leadership experience and is certified in Wilderness First Aid. Stefan never balks at the opportunity to bring a laugh to the group.
Daniel is a junior at St. Olaf College studying philosophy and environmental studies. He will be leading the Franklin Falls Waterway Work Trip. He has a lot of leadership experience having taken a NOLS course in the Tetons, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid. He also has an eye for spatial dimensions which is very helpful for trail construction.
The Roving Crew
Acadia Tripp
Acadia is from Maine. She will be leading the Attean Pond Waterway Work Trip. She is going to be a Sophmore at the University of Maine Machias and brings with her “Leave no Trace” experience, Wilderness First Responder, and the desire to learn new things.
Kimberly Hack
Kimberly will be leading the Connecticut River Waterway Work Trip. She is attending Knox College for Environmental Studies. She brings with her experiences with the Northwest Youth Corps and various leadership roles involving work with volunteers. Her positive attitude is very contagious.
Sam Perron
Sam will be leading the Highgate Falls Portage Trail Waterway Work Trip in Vermont. He is attending Warren Wilson College pursuing a BS in Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Forestry. He brings with him much field and leadership experience along with carpentry skills. Sam could calm the pants off a 5 alarm fire. He is very level headed.
Nick is attending SUNY Cortland. He has developed his leadership skills through school, becoming an Eagle Scout, and leading whitewater raft trips down the Hudson River. He is doing an extended 14-week internship with the NFCT because he likes us that much. Nick will be leading the Roving Crew for a week implementing the Universal Trails Assessment Process on portages along the Missisquoi River. We will use this information as part of our trail management plan and to give people with physical challenges as much information as we can about the condition of our portage trails.
Ben Malakoff
Ben Malakoff is very excited to be working with the NFCT this summer as the Program Intern. He has just completed his freshman year at Ithaca College where he is pursuing a degree in Integrated Marketing and Communication. He is originally from Washington, DC, but has lived in Maine and West Virginia. Home is currently in Alexandria, VA. He loves the outdoors, particularly canoeing. He hopes to one day paddle the whole NFCT, already having a couple of sections under his belt.
We also have Michelle Davis as Youth Program Intern. If you are reading this you probably have also had the chance to read her blogs as well.
We will be posting updates of the two field crews throughout the season, and I am sure you will not see another mug shot in front of our office chimney, instead the backdrop will most likely be some beautiful location along the trail.
Stay tuned: Our next post will be about the Franklin Falls Waterway Work Trip………….