The saying goes “Virginia Beach is for Lovers,” but this November, Virginia Beach was for Kirkwood Community College. Ten Kirkwood parks and natural resources students attended the National Association of Interpreters conference in this coastal city.
Each student who attended is a member of the Women in Natural Resources club that resides in the horticulture building on campus. Club president Kandace Odekirk, secretary Hailey Ragan, treasurer Sydni Wagner and social media manager Natalie Hartgrave, as well as teacher-advisors Ken Carroll and Clarah Buhman opened the door for club members to have memberships with the NAI. This is only one of several professional development opportunities offered to the WNR club and students in the Parks and Natural Resources degree.
As a part of the NAI, parks and natural resources students who lean toward interpretive jobs are offered a step ahead in the interpretation industry through networking. Interpreters are people who communicate and cultivate experiences about the natural, historical and cultural world.
NAI members are invited to attend the national conference yearly to network with interpreters in several areas of work. Participants range from hieroglyphics tour guides to aquarium education specialists, and even elephant sanctuary public outreach staff. This year, the demographic expanded to eager Kirkwood students.
The first night after stepping off the plane, students joined an icebreaker discussion to get to know first-time attendees. What followed was a picturesque welcome dinner at the Virginia Beach Contemporary Art Museum.
The following day was opened by keynote speakers who touched the hearts of the WNR club sitting in the front row. Tears flowed as speakers Yuria Celidwen and Dacher Keltner invited the room to reconnect with one another and remember what brings us together as humans.
When it came time for breakout sessions, WNR students were encouraged to intermingle. NAI affiliates also participate in breakout sessions. Some of the sessions that Kirkwood students sat in on offered insight on natural resources education, leadership and program building. One such session was about teaching human impact on oceans to elementary students, and the club favorite session: Mothing 101.
Club members also made time for some brief recreation. Every morning, the WNR club watched the sunrise on the beach, even getting surprised by a pod of dolphins the first two mornings. No beach sunrise would be complete without trying local coffee companies with the advisors.
The group also made time to walk the Bald Cypress trail during the NAI lunch break and admire the naturally dark brown water that filled the area.
WNR members Lydia VanDeer, Delaney Tresslar, Kendall Colter and Julia Eastin decided to brave a cold plunge into the Atlantic Ocean.
The plane ride home would be a little bit sandy, but the WNR club left Virginia with a lot more appreciation and inspiration for interpretation.
Categories: Feature
