DNR/Americorp Training Days

Well, I'm finally back from training. I left Sunday from Davenport, grabbed some clothes in Ames, and got a ride down to a service project all by 1pm. We planted some native prairie plants and cleared out some invasives all while it was 90 degrees. Then we rode down to Springbrook State Park in my ride's air conditioningless car - so much sweat!

We had dinner followed by a campfire and s'mores! The place reminded me a bit of camp - a lot of hippy/naturalists, food provided, no tvs or technology, and the beds are terribly uncomfortable. But it was nice to be surrounded by people who definitely agreed that squids are awesome!

We had a lot of long days. We had breakfast at 7am then our training would begin at 8. We had everything from talks about being good citizens, to what other Americorps programs are available, to talking to a panel of DNR employees (including the Director of all of DNR!), to conflict resolution. Most of these were relatively boring. Then at night we did interpretation training. All the interpreters (about 10) would meet in the basement classroom and learn how to be effective at our jobs this summer and got training for taking our tests to become Certified Interpretive Guides. So, we had an open book multiple choice test, we had to fill out an outline for our program, and we had to deliver a 10 minute program on whatever we wanted. I couldn't think of topic so I was staring outside and brainstorming, and I was looking at the lawn..so I did my program on grass. I got an 98% on my program, but I won't find out my other scores for a while - I have to get 80% on everything to get certified...and I'm pretty sure that'll happen. So, I'm pretty excited I'll be able to put that on my resume.

Today, we left training at 4pm, and tomorrow we start working in our parks! I'm excited and nervous.

Well, I should unpack, do some research on my park and regroup for tomorrow. I have some crisis management that I have to do because I forgot a very important thing at training that I was suppose to hang up in the park and do interpretation about. So, it seems I'm starting off on a very bad foot. Oh bother.

Wish me luck!