Unexpected Learning in Shenandoah

Allie Sanford, University of Alabama

When I got on a plane to Virginia, flying for only the second time in my life, I had

no idea what I was in for. Perhaps ideas and hopes of what a Partners in the Parks trip

could be like, but nothing as incredible as what I would experience. From the first night

of the trip when our facilitators Christina and Sara announced we would be making our

quesadillas in the parking lot, I knew I was in for an adventure. Tuesday took us up to

the base of Shenandoah National Park, where I’d soon learn about the rich history of

the Appalachian Mountains, experience just a small dose of the manual labor that goes

into maintaining and conservating those lands, and gain some much-needed hope for

the future of environmental work in the US.

A persistent rain welcomed me to my first night ever camping, but a little weather

was nothing after the bright smiles and fresh camp coffee that greeted me in the

morning. Together with my new friends from around the country, I set out to meet the

spryest 80-year-old couple in Virgina, John and Trudy, for our day chopping roots and

meeting AT thru hikers. Later in the week, we worked with two park rangers at Dark

Hollow Falls to carry 28 logs up to the waterfall’s base for a future trail ladder project.

These two long, sweaty days opened my eyes to the amount of time and effort that

goes into preserving trails for public use. I’m very grateful for all the workers and

volunteers that make these experiences in nature possible. It was extremely fulfilling to

look out and see physical evidence of the impact I made, and to do it with such a

positive, determined group of students. It was incredible to walk across a flat path that

was only a few hours earlier, a slanted expanse of roots, carved into shape by a few

college kids with axes. I also gained a wealth of knowledge from John and Trudy, who

made frequent stops to explain the purpose of certain aspects of the trail such as water

bars, switchbacks, and gradients for directing runoff.

This trip also provided a number of unexpected learning opportunities outside of

the academically structured parts of our itinerary. I was introduced to the 7 Leave No

Trace principles and hiking etiquette at the beginning of the week, an appropriate creed

for any aspiring environmentalist. Throughout the next few days Christina and Sara

shared countless stories and scientific facts about the land around us. With their

narration, every new camping spot or hike afforded me a deeper understanding of

Appalachian landscape, both natural and human. My fellow students were also teachers

to me, sharing insight from their wide range of academic disciplines and personal

experiences. I learned a great deal on this trip simply from sharing hikes or meals with

the people I encountered and taking the time to pay close attention to my surroundings.

These lessons I learned in Shenandoah, whether from teachers, professionals, or new

found friends, will inspire and guide me on my college journey and beyond.