Well, my 8 weeks as a park ranger for the National Park Service have ended.  What a wonderful summer I had!  Some of the highlights of my summer have been holding and releasing a sea turtle hatchling, climbing Ocracoke lighthouse, night climbs of Hatteras lighthouse, and meeting all sorts of wonderful visitors from all over the United States.  The park rangers I met and worked with this summer will always have a special place in my heart.  Readers, these are a group of very dedicated and intelligent people who work hard every day to pass on their appreciation of the nature and history of the Outer Banks to everyone who visits.  I want to thank Pat, Jason, and Chris, my roommates Eileen and Debbie, and all the other wonderful Rangers I worked and spent time with this summer.  They all welcomed me and helped me learn to be a ranger.  Because of them, I had a awesome experience and learned so much!  I also want to thank my family for allowing me to have this adventure.  I am excited to return to my 2nd graders and share with them all the information I have learned this summer.
Stay tuned:  I hope to enroll at least one more group of Junior Rangers this year!

~ Kelly