Enjoying Storytime at the Grand Canyon
Local attraction brings in big crowds
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - A blanket is set out on the deck outside of the El Tovar. A handful of kids, hailing from all over the country, if not the world, wait patiently upon it. Their parents sit on the benches that skirt the clutch of children, many holding the Grand Canyon edition of the "Junior Ranger Activity Booklet" provided by the National Park Service. The parents and children are all waiting for storytime to begin, one of the many activities for parents and children visiting the Grand Canyon National Park.
"What do you guys think, do more kids fall off or do more adults fall off?" Park Ranger Nick Fuechsel asked the children. "It's adults. So you guys are all in charge of watching your parents."
Fuechsel read the story of "The Adventures of Salt and Soap at Grand Canyon" during the June 20 storytime, a tale of two puppies that live at the Grand Canyon. It was his first time doing the activity at Grand Canyon.
"I'm a new seasonal ranger here, I've been here about two months," Fuechsel said. "All the programs that we do, which is about 12 different programs, I'm still a little new with."
He said the idea behind Storytime Adventures is to provide a fun diversion for children, as well as parents, to learn more about Grand Canyon. Attending storytime is also a way for junior rangers to earn their park badge. The Junior Ranger program at the Canyon is made possible thanks to the support Grand Canyon Association.
Fuechsel said he has enjoyed his stay at the Canyon so far.
"It's been great. It's been a lot of fun," he said. "I came from the Everglades National Park. It's flat over there. You can't fall at the Everglades."
Roughly 60 people drifted in and out during the June 20 storytime - a good turnout for the daily program.
"This was a lot. I was expecting a lot less," Fuechsel said. "I hear sometimes you get big crowds like this."
Storytime Adventures is held daily throughout the summer months beginning at 1:30 p.m. The program officially kicked off for the 2009 season June 7. Rangers will also offer props and other interactive devices to help make the stories more real for children.
Many Park Rangers, including those at Grand Canyon National Park, work as seasonal rangers, Fuechsel said.
"We work 10,039 hours, which is about six months," he said. "They jump from park to park every six months. Some take a six month off every once in a while. I really enjoy the seasonal aspect, because I feel like there's a lot more freedom in it. You have a six month commitment and then you're free again to travel or take a new job in a new part of the country. It's been great."
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