Cub Scout Hannah Murray Volunteers at Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Hannah picking up trash at Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

NPS Photo

Hannah Murray, Youth Volunteer

“There's a National Park you can volunteer at, and it's actually really fun. You can talk to Rangers, you can get a National Park book, and there's a gift shop that you can buy stuff from.”

Hannah with Ranger Summer while volunteering to pick up trash at her local park, Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

NPS Photo

Meet Hannah Murray, a Cub Scout from Pack 743! She is also a youth volunteer with the National Park Service (NPS). When one thinks of what they would like to do to celebrate their birthday, they might think of eating cake, or spending time with friends. Hannah celebrated her eighth birthday this summer by volunteering at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, her local park, where she frequently helps with landscaping projects. Her great-great grandfather was stationed at Fort Moultrie. The site needs consistent maintenance and upkeep because weeds and invasive species grow in the historic fort. This maintenance is a difficult task, as it must be done by hand and can be compounded when experiencing the summer heat. While it can be a never-ending battle, she looks forward to tackling the weeds and often looks to recruit other children to help her.

Hannah pets snakes at a park event

NPS Photo

When she first started volunteering here two years ago, she remembers having to wear her Cub Scout uniform, which was hot to wear in the summer. But then she met Ranger Summer and Andy, and the heat no longer bothered her, because she was now with all of her new Ranger friends. Outside of volunteering, she would come out to the park with her brothers, give them tours, and show them every tunnel she knew.

Hannah recently completed a cross country road trip from South Carolina to Oregon with her grandparents and big brothers during which she collected several Junior Ranger badges. She loves the Junior Ranger program and even earned her first badge at three years old. So far, she has badges from Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Reconstruction Area National Historical Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Congaree National Park, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, and Gateway Arch National Park.

In 2022, she was recognized as a regional recipient of the George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service because of her efforts in recruiting new youth volunteers to the park and encouraging others to learn about their local history. She has also participated in the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program. Her favorite memory as a Cub Scout is selling popcorn and going camping at Camp Moultrie. She serves as an ambassador to the park and encourages others her age to get involved and participate in the Junior Ranger program. You can find her at park events, including those hosted during National Public Lands Day and Park Day. She enjoys volunteering and wants to give back by helping to improve the historic landscape at the Fort’s grounds.

Hannah in 2024 at the annual Carolina Day event, which celebrates the Battle of Sullivan's Island

NPS Photo

On June 30, she volunteered at Fort Moultrie National Historical Park’s annual Carolina Day, where she worked at the Junior Ranger table. She also met other NPS staff and a Student Conservation Association intern, who got to capture some special moments at the event, including interviewing Hannah. This event celebrated the 248th Anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island with programs and weapon firing demonstrations. It is observed annually in South Carolina and commemorates the successful defeat of British naval and land forces by patriots on June 28, 1776. This was the first decisive victory by the American colonies in their fight for independence and prevented the British from gaining a foothold into South Carolina for another four years.

Listen to Hannah share her park story in a recent podcast episode she was featured on.

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