Yarn Registry – I am a Grand Canyon park ranger

Sarah Acomb grew up in Yellow Springs but now calls the Grand Canyon home. She is a park ranger with the National Park Service, helping visitors understand the multifaceted majesty of one of the world’s great natural wonders. She didn’t set out to be a park ranger but has come to identify with the job in a way that transcends mere employment or as a way to channel her interest in the sciences. Her job offers the chance to not only be in a place of unparalleled beauty every single day, but to teach and live among a community of like-minded people who are just as enthralled with what they’re doing.

She has been on a great many adventures during her time as a park ranger and is eager to return to Arizona as the season gets back into full swing. In the meantime, she sat down with me and was able to enlighten me about the ins and outs of the parks service, her experiences, and why she loves doing what she does.

This is part 2 of our interview. When we left off, Sarah was talking about working with students of all age groups, and how she captivates their attention.

“At the beginning of my program, I make a point not to raise my voice to get everyone’s attention,” she said. “I just say in a normal voice, “OK, I’m going to start my program, for those of you joining me today, you can move a little bit closer and come one over here.” You build this little pod around you and the others notice everyone is moving. You don’t have to strain your voice and they feel like they’re being let in on a secret, which is true.”

Photos courtesy of Sarah Acomb and Claire Luce Baldwin.

Working with kids like this is obviously a lot of responsibility, so is there any training or licensure you have to do?

Oh yes, but it’s not that simple, a lot of the training is learned on the job. But you do have to obtain at least wilderness first aid and CPR certifications. I went through a NOLS course as well as an American Red Cross class before I started working for the National Park Service.

Read the full story here.