FUNDAMENTALS II: WHY WE WERE THERE AND WHAT WE LEARNED
Two employees from WAPA recently participated in the Fundamentals II training held at the Albright Training Center. Fundamentals II is the second in a five part training series which prepares new employees for a career in the Park Service. Fundamentals I, III, and IV are taken on-line and Fundamentals II and V are taken as a group experience in each of the Park Service's major training facilities- the Albright Training Center (located within the Grand Canyon National Park) and the Mather Training Center (located at Harper's Ferry in West Virginia).
The two week training brought Park Service employees together from a variety of states and islands. The training taught students about the NPS mission statement, the 1916 Organic Act, pertinent legislation, historical events, and the mandates, roles, expectations, and duties of the Park Service and its employees. The training was a great way to orientate and familiarize new employees with the agency they work for. The training emphasized teamwork and understanding and really encouraged each employee to challenge herself to make a difference within her own park and the wider reaching Park Service.
While the training focused on directed classroom instruction at the Albright Training Center, there was also a really exciting field trip component. Students in the July 21- August 1 training session visited the Flagstaff Arboretum, Montezuma's Castle and Montezuma's Well, and Mesa Verde and Dead Horse State Parks. On "free-days" of the training, many students took advantage of the available time and chose to visit Wupatki, Sunset Crater, and Walnut Canyon National Parks. Some students chose the explore the Grand Canyon in depth and others opted to go out of the way to see an authentic Hopi Harvest dance which was performed on a beautiful mesa in the middle of the desert. The training allowed for a positive learning environment, a meaningful exchange of ideas, and an opportunity to develop friendships and partners throughout the National Park Service. The two weeks spent at the Grand Canyon as part of the Fundamentals II training allowed new employees to gain a better understanding of the agency they work for and a wonderful opportunity to realize the positive changes employees can make when they work together for a common goal. The training was a meaningful and wonderful experience. These two weeks will be fondly remembered by those who participated and the upcoming week next year in Harpers Ferry will be much anticipated.
The photo above captures the smiles of new friends Tammy Duchesne (War in the Pacific NHP, Guam), Troy Banzhaf (Pea Ridge National Military Park, Alabama), Jill Wilson (Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, Florida), and Neal Niiyama (USS Arizona Memorial, Oahu, Hawaii). This photo was taken at Wupatki National Park as the four spent free days familiarizing themselves with the natural and cultural resources of other National Parks.
