Hudson-Meng Bonebed Interp 2018 - Passport in Time

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Closed! Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed Interpretation Project 2018

Hudson-Meng_Bison_Bonebed_-_Inside_of_Bonebed_Building.jpg By SkybirdForever (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Part of the excavated bonebed with scaffolding suspended from the ceiling allowing people to work on the larger dig areas without damaging the site
 


NE-4378
June 13-September 3, 2018 (including weekend)

Must commit to a minimum of one, entire four-week session; may participate in more with HMERC project leader’s approval

Session Dates:
 
Session 1: June 13–July 13
Session 2: July 11–August 10
Session 3: August 8–September 3

Looking for a 2018 summer adventure? Considering a career as a park ranger or interpretive guide? Want to explore to determine whether this is the career for you? Have you taken a Certified Interpretive Guide course with the National Association for Interpretation, and/or need experience? Then look no further! Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands is, once again, offering an amazing volunteer opportunity at Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center (HMERC)! HMERC is located in a picturesque, rural setting on the Oglala National Grasslands in Crawford, just south of the Black Hills of South Dakota. HMERC houses one of the most important discoveries of Archaeology and Paleontology in North America: the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Site. From approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, HMERC is open to the public five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday) and, for the past several years, dedicated PIT volunteers have helped the project via hosting, site interpretation, personal projects, and more. We extend the invitation to you again this summer!

Hudson-Meng Volunteer Interpretation positions provide PIT volunteers with hands-on training and resources to develop or strengthen interpretation skills by interacting with visitors at the Heritage Visitor Center. Volunteers will assist Forest Service rangers with staffing the visitor center, and share information about history, preservation, and grasslands natural resources with the visiting public. Day-to-day duties will vary to allow volunteers a wide range of experiences, such as assisting Forest Service personnel in designing and providing interpretive programs for the public. These may include archaeology, history, paleoecology, and paleontology. You may also be called on to assist with the development of educational materials about Hudson-Meng and Toadstool Geologic Park, or participate with outreach events to help promote Hudson-Meng. Additionally, volunteers are expected to assist staff with routine maintenance and cleaning of the facility. Each volunteer will be expected to contribute a minimum of 24 hours per week to the project.

A very important and required task but, more importantly, an opportunity for growth and career advancement and education, is that all PIT volunteers are expected to develop and provide an interpretive tour in order to provide public awareness of the site’s or region’s cultural resources. The tour must relate to Hudson-Meng, but should fit within your own educational field or topic of interest. Hudson-Meng staff and supervisors will serve as mentors to volunteers by providing guidance and resources as the tours and outreach programs are developed.

Finally, the project leader is willing to sponsor undergraduate or graduate students who wish to earn college credit by completing an independent study or internship program through their respective academic institutions. If interested in receiving academic credit for the summer project, please indicate this on your application, and discuss details with the project leader if you are selected. This is a unique opportunity, and makes the Hudson-Meng Interpretation PIT project an especially attractive fit for interested college students considering careers in archaeology/paleontology or as park rangers or park guides! Applications will only be accepted until each session is filled, so apply today!

Number of openings: 6 (2 per session)

Special skills: Minimum time frame (4 weeks) and (24) hours per week required; previous education, interpretation, exhibits design, and/or knowledge of High Plains archaeology, paleontology, ecology/paleoecology, and/or history experience helpful, but not required

Minimum age: 18 years old

Facilities: Dedicated research camp available at no charge; modern bathrooms and showers; weatherport kitchen with two gas stoves, refrigerator and freezer, and potable water; electrical outlets scattered throughout campground and available for use; tent camping areas are undeveloped; RVs allowed in campgrounds if within size limits (determined on a case-by-case basis); no water or sewer hookups on RV pads; on-site facilities available and designated as severe weather shelters; volunteers responsible for own camping equipment, meals, and transportation

Nearest towns: Crawford, 22 miles; Chadron, 42 miles

Applications due: Ongoing until filled

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