Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hmmm, interesting proposition.

As I was perusing the Salt Lake Tribune this morning, a headline that mentioned ‘teacher’ and ‘park ranger’ at the same time caught my eye.  Apparently they are looking for teachers (or a teacher) to work this summer down at Cedar Breaks National Monument.CBreakstoN3a

As most of you who know me know, I love the outdoors, I love camping and I love Southern Utah.  My brothers and I have even at times talked about volunteering somewhere in the National Park system, just to be able to hang out there.

So I quickly headed to the computer, looked up Cedar Breaks, since I had no clue where it was, other than in Utah.  It’s about this |---------------| far due east of Cedar City on the Google map I pulled up.  Good.  Good, that’s doable. So I emailed the contact in the newspaper, told her about my love of Southern Utah and my teaching credentials and asked about applying for the position.  Later today she emailed me back, and instead of just “yeah, go here, download paper, fill out, mail in”, she came across as encouraging me to apply.  So I did.  Or I should say I’m going to, since I still need to get the Principalutah-map Approval Page signed by my principal (next paragraph will explain why).

The position is for 8 weeks in the summer, specific duties were not mentioned, but I would get a $300 a week stipend and my own  Park Ranger Uniform, I would be working as an official Park Ranger.  I do have to agree to do a couple things when I get back to the classroom.  The idea is to get teachers to develop lessons that bring the park system into their classrooms, so I would have to agree to do that.  I would also agree to (and this is where principal approval is required) wear my uniform at school during National Parks Week, sometime in April, and possibly even give a presentation on the parks there.  They also mention that if they have money to hire a substitute for me, I may end up having to go to other schools and present.  All stuff I can handle, and would even enjoy doing.

So, who knows.  Something may turn up that makes me decide not to do it.  They may choose someone else.  But whatever, I’m going to apply and see where it leads me.  After all, it’s the journey…

sartin

11 comments:

Jo said...

That freaking rocks!!! Will you please wear the ranger outfit to Christmas dinner??? Oh, oh, and when I drive south to hang with anyone, when I stop by by {----------} from Cedar City will you give me a personal tour??? So excited for you! Keeping my fingers crossed. Oh,and when are we doing dinner again???

A Paperback Writer said...

Oh, Cedar Breaks is beautiful. It's just outside of Cedar City, and it's kind of the back end of Bryce Canyon, but Duck Creek campground. Nice place. The visitors' center is dinky, but it'd be a nice summer job.
YOUR OWN RANGER UNIFORM???!!!
Sweet!

Max Sartin said...

Jo - but of course I'll give you a personal tour. Thanks, I hope it works out too. As for dinner, how about Tue or Thu next week?

The Gearheads said...

Hmmmm.. We may have to plan a weekend trip to Cedar Breaks. I will warn you, it is higher elevation, and it does get some mean thunderstorms. I was down there when I was about 11 or so and we were supposed to camp at Cedar Breaks, but there were big thunderstorms. As you know, with 20 screaming kids it isn't wise to spend a weekend on the mountain with mean thunderstorms. Instead we stayed in Cedar City and went to the Shakespearean Festival. I enjoyed it.
Anyhow, maybe we'll do the festival AND Cedar Breaks at the same time.

Max Sartin said...

Writer - yeah, the uniform. I'd almost do it for nothing just for the uniform. The first thing I thought when I googled the pictures of it was "Looks just like Bryce." Which means, like brice, it should be nice and cool even in the middle of the summer.

Max Sartin said...

Thunderstorms? We don't need no stinkin' thunderstorms! Actually, I kind of like a good thunderstorm. Except when I'm camping in a dry riverbed after a night of drinking, but that's a story for my other blog. If I'm down there you'll definitely have to come visit. And if I'm not down there, we should go visit it anyhoo.

A Paperback Writer said...

Yeah, it's like a mini-Bryce overlook.
I'll have to come by and pay you a visit when I go to the Shakespeare Festival.. :)

Max Sartin said...

Writer: Then can we play the "Dashing Park Ranger and the Beautiful Scottish Tourist" game?

laninaki said...

I love the ranger outfit!! I want to come see you with Gibb....all outdoorsy and stuff.

A Paperback Writer said...

Sure. I'll just have to fake being a beautiful Scottish tourist. :)

Pedro said...

Way to Go BooBoo. Good luck on getting the park ranger job. We will definately have to come down and cause some trouble for you . . . . ahem, visit. I think if you get this job it will be necessary to wear your park ranger uniform to family functions. Can you also bring your smokey the bear hat and will you get shorts? Just kidding, hope you get the call.