Last updated: June 1, 2023
Article
My Park Story: Tatum Monroe
What interested you in the CVA internship?
As I read the job description for the Community Volunteer Ambassador position, I knew that I had found my dream job. This incredible internship combines my deep-rooted passion for community service and outdoor activism in a uniquely urban park. The opportunities for collaboration are abundant, facilitating many possibilities for widespread engagement and education. I also have the privilege of working with Kendra Barat, my amazing supervisor, whose collaboration and support is an invaluable asset. Truly, being able to serve as a CVA fills me with gratitude every time I walk through the historic halls and trails of Hot Springs National Park.
What sort of projects are you working on currently? What project are you most proud of?
Hot Springs National Park is a one-of-a-kind park experience because it is in the middle of a thriving downtown. A lot of my day-to-day work is connecting with the surrounding local community. For instance, we recently began setting up an informational table at our local Farmer’s Market. This monthly event gives the park a designated space to reach out to community members about ongoing volunteer opportunities and upcoming public events, such as B.A.R.K. Ranger Day, which we hosted on May 13.
I am really excited about the recent creation of a Park Mentorship Program. Although it’s in early stages, the goal of the program is to connect high schoolers to National Park Service career paths, increase their social skills through volunteer events, and facilitate community connection through planning a public event. This summer, our first group of students will give feedback on the program’s initial framework. I can’t wait to see how the students’ input improves the overall program!
What is your favorite memory in the Volunteers-In-Parks program so far?
Hands down, my favorite memory in the Volunteers-In-Parks program was hosting an appreciation event, called “S’mores and Stories” for our amazing volunteers. It was a blast gathering around a campfire at the Gulpha Gorge campground. We enjoyed eating s’mores while listening to a special interpretive program. (You can really tell a lot about a person by how they roast a marshmallow.) Best of all, our entire Interpretative Division and our park’s superintendent showed up to the event! We received so much positive feedback that the event and support made volunteers feel valued as part of our park family.
What is the story behind your award-winning photo?
The “Battle of Downtown” was created by Kendra Barat, our Volunteer Coordinator. Looking to spark civic engagement, she pioneered this competitive event on National Public Lands Day. Volunteers formed teams and gathered on September 24, 2022, in an attempt to collect the most litter within the park’s parameters. The amazing team featured in the photograph removed 475.66 lbs. of garbage from park property. Altogether, five teams and three individuals collected over 2,100 lbs. of trash!
NPS Photograph/Kendra Barat
About the Community Volunteer Ambassador Program:
As a fifty-week professional internship, the Community Volunteer Ambassador Program is managed in partnership between the National Park Service Volunteer-In-Parks Program and the Stewards Individual Placement Program of Conservation Legacy. Members are youth (ages 18-30 or 18-35 if veterans) from diverse backgrounds who aspire to future careers in service and conservation stewardship. Each year, dozens of interns are placed in park sites throughout the country to provide capacity-building services focused on connecting communities to parks through engagement and volunteer activities.
