In this jewel of The National Park System, participants will learn the pedagogical and programming essentials for creating their own Partners in the Parks project. Based out of a nicely appointed campground, we will venture forth to teach and learn from each other in the great outdoor classroom of Crater Lake National Park and the Lava Beds National Monument. Potential activities will include a service project in conjunction with the NPS or a conservancy group, a seminar on native plants and sacred spaces of the Klamath Tribes, a tour of some very nice "parkitecture," and other hikes to show participants the many possible ways they can make the most of their local parks. Participants will also devote a full day on the Oregon Tech campus in an idea-rich, intensive workshop to create outlines and tentative programs for their own PITP Projects!

Audience

This session is designed for honors faculty, staff, and administrators who are looking to start their own partners in the park project within their program or college. (Unsure if this session is for you? Contact a facilitator for more information.)


Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Learn PITP pedagogy and programming and complete the program with a tentative plan for their own PITP Project
• Learn about relationship between indigenous peoples and public interests/stakeholders
• Learn about how environment affects the Park's ecosystem
• Learn about stewardship of their national parks and how to work with local conservation groups
• Learn how to appreciate the outdoors

Itinerary

• Day One—7/28/2024: Arrival, details, planning, shopping
• Day Two—7/29/2024: Park exploration, set-up camp, activities, architecture, small hikes
• Day Three—7/30/2024: Park project, teaching and learning, activities
• Day Four—7/31/2024: Park appreciation, appreciation of indigenous people
• Day Five—8/1/2024: Return to The Village at Oregon Tech (morning), all afternoon workshop
• Day Six—8/2/2024: Lava Beds National Monument (day-trip), final projects
• Day Seven—8/3/2024: Departure
  

If you have any questions regarding your trip specifically, please contact your trip facilitators listed below. They will be sending you more information regarding what to pack, and any supplies you may need for your trip.

Trip Facilitators

Christopher Syrnyk, Oregon Institute of Technology

• Christopher Syrnyk is the Executive Director of the Oregon Tech Honors Program and the Office of National Scholarships. He is a current NCHC Board of Directors Professional member, Co-Chair of the PITP Committee, a past president of the Western Regional Honors Council, and the producer of the first PITP Project at Crater Lake National Park. He also is a member of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors. He enjoys, more than anything, sharing this jewel of a national park in his backyard with everyone he can. He is also a happy lifelong camper and hiker, mountaineer, snowshoer, and cross country skier.
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Melissa Berninger, University of South Dakota

Melissa Berninger is Director of the University Honors Program and Coordinator of Nationally Competitive Scholarships at University of South Dakota. She is an extraordinary Co-Chair of the PITP Committee, member of the Upper Midwest Honors Council, for which she has been a stalwart member of many years. She also is a member of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors. She is an avid outdoors person, who also volunteers her time and talents in the service of her local Scouting Troop.