Walk in the
Park
The Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park
held a successful Walk in the Park event in
October 2011 and plans are underway for the
annual event again on October 6, 2012.
Watch registration information for 2012 on
the Upcoming Events page. Through
participants’ registration fees and
donations, the Friends we able to grow in
their continuing support of Park programs
and activities.
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Pedal for
the Park **NEW**
New for 2012 will be the bicycle event on
May 12. Three routes of varying lengths
will allow you to find one that best suits
your biking interest. Enjoy the beautiful
scenery in and around the Park and a
leisurely pace with friends and family or
challenge yourself on the hilly countryside,
which park founders thought significant
enough to warrant a national park! Event
and registration information will be posted
soon on the Upcoming Events page. We look
forward to this event growing each year.
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Mammoth
Cave Night at the Bowling Green Hot Rods
**NEW**
The Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park
will be working with the Bowling Green Hot
Rods on a Mammoth Cave Day at the minor
league ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky
on June 14. Tickets for the game
will be $10.00. It’s a great way to support
the Friends and Mammoth Cave National Park,
while enjoying a beautiful Kentucky night in
a family-friendly environment. Information
about this event will be posted later in the
spring – watch for details on the Upcoming
Events page.
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The
Annual Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park
membership meeting will be held at Noon on
October 6 at the Mammoth Cave Hotel
following the Walk in the Park event. Join
us to learn what’s been accomplished
throughout the year and what’s planned for
2013. Lunch will be Dutch treat.
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Mammoth Cave National Park News
VISITOR
CENTER – The Visitor Center Phase II
construction is well underway; Park
Superintendent Pat Reed plans for staff and
Eastern National to move into their new
spaces by mid- to late spring. The exhibit
hall will be opened to the public later this
summer, with a Grand Opening celebration for
the entire facility to be held toward
summer’s end. We will post dates when
available.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR CHERYL
MESSENGER AWARDED - Mammoth Cave’s award
winning environmental education program
received further accolades in November when
its leader, Cheryl Messenger, received the
regional Freeman Tilden award, recognizing
Messenger as the best interpreter in the
Southeast Region of the National Park
Service (NPS)
The Freeman
Tilden Award is an annual award recognizing
outstanding public contributions in
interpretation and visitor services by a NPS
employee. Freeman Tilden, who wrote The
National Parks, What They Mean to You and Me
and Interpreting Our Heritage, greatly
influenced the development of NPS
interpretation and education programs.
“Very few
teacher-education programs provide outdoor
learning as part of their curriculum
requirements for graduation,” said
Superintendent Pat Reed. “This grant
combines Western Kentucky University's goal
to produce innovative and well trained
teachers, with the park’s goal to connect
people to the value and significance of
Mammoth Cave through learning experiences.”
“Inquiry-based
learning produces a sense of discovery as
students seek answers to their own questions
and interests,” explained Mike Adams, chief
of interpretation at Mammoth Cave, who
nominated Messenger for the award. "The
process creates a powerful personal and
intellectual connection to the park. We
have been told by students that this was the
most useful courses in their college
career. Many students who were hesitant to
participate have left enthused, anxious to
bring their own classes to the park or use
inquiry-based learning in other settings.”
(NOTE: Friends
funds support the Environmental Education
program.)
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WHAT’S
HAPPENING – Mark your calendar and watch
for more information as event dates
approach!
Park Events:
- April
21-29, National Park Week
- April
21, Wildflower Day
- April
27, dedication ceremony for DOE-buses,
trucks, and GEM
- April
28, Junior Ranger Day
- July 4,
Mammoth Cave Homecoming
- August
25, Bat Night
- October
13, Junior Firefighter Day
-
November 8, Genealogy Seminar
-
November 9-11, Roots in the Cave
-
December 2, Cave Sing
Fee Free
Days:
- April
21-29, National Park Week
- June
21, first day of summer
-
September 22, Public Lands Day
-
November 9-11, Veterans Day Weekend
