Date: March 28, 2016
Contact: Karen Schlechty, 252-475-9026
For the third season, a group of University of Vermont students traveled to the Outer Banks to assist the National Park Service with service-oriented cleanup projects as part of the Alternative Spring Break program. These energetic, young students performed valuable work and provided much-needed assistance to park staff at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial. The crew members enjoyed beautiful weather and gained valuable insight into operations at all three national park locations.
The Alternative Spring Break program began in 1991 and is offered in early March at many colleges and universities. The program works in cooperation with the National Park Service and other federal land management agencies to provide students with service opportunities during the school break. Students are encouraged to engage in activities and assist with much-needed projects that might otherwise not be accomplished prior to the busy summer months. Their week-long stay proved to be very productive, accomplishing many tasks including: beach cleanups at the old lighthouse site in Buxton and on Bodie Island; yard maintenance at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and the Ocracoke Visitor Center; crosswalk and parking space painting at Wright Brothers National Memorial; and cleaning stairs, floors, walls and handrails at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
During their time on the Outer Banks the students interacted with many park staff and local residents and made a positive contribution to our National Parks. The National Park Service extends a warm thank you to the students and residents who welcomed them to the area!
