News Release

Jewel Cave Volunteer Receives Shining Star Award

Patrick Lickteig volunteers at Jewel Cave National Monument, leading cave tours, nature hikes, and interpretive patio talks.

News Release Date: May 1, 2020 The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) recently announced Patrick Lickteig as recipient of their Shining Star Award. The award recognizes positive contributions to the interpretive field across the country and highlights individuals that are doing amazing work for their agency. Patrick serves as a Visitor Center Host within the Volunteers-In-Parks Program at Jewel Cave National Monument. He has been a volunteer at the monument since 2016.

Patrick started volunteering at the visitor center desk about four years ago, answering visitor questions and helping with the popular Junior Ranger and Pee Wee Ranger Programs. Over time, he started leading cave tours and nature hikes and conducting educational patio talks. He is also a member of the Social Media Team and works on Facebook posts most every week, researching, creating, and scheduling Find Your Park Friday posts. And he coordinates the monthly traffic count data and visitor program statistics for the monument.

Additionally, Patrick has helped with trade shows and festivals in other local communities, and he has shared his programming enthusiasm during numerous special events. Volunteers-In-Parks Coordinator, Bradley Block states, “Patrick is a valuable member of our team. He takes great pride in providing memorable experiences for our visitors, and he has become a volunteer ambassador for the monument.”

The monument utilizes volunteer assistance in a number of different areas, such as educational programs, Scout Ranger activities, visitor center operations, cave exploration, and visitor services. Superintendent Michelle Wheatley comments, “I would like to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to Patrick and each and every one of our park volunteers. They give Jewel Cave National Monument the most precious gifts of all – their time, expertise, energy, and dedication.”

2020 celebrates the 50^th Anniversary of the Volunteers-In-Parks Program within the National Park Service. More than 279,000 volunteers collectively contribute over 6.5 million hours to national parks. To get involved or to learn more about the VIP Program, visit  www.nps.gov/getinvolved/national-volunteer-week.