WHAT WE DO

"I spent a week (my first visit) in Yosemite National Park the first week of June. Since I travel alone to the parks I rely on ranger programs to get to out-of-the-way places and be with a group (bear fear!). I did attend some programs at Yosemite, but noticed that the programming was spread out fairly thinly. NPS rangers and their programs really bring the parks to life in so many ways, and they are instructive in highlighting respectful ways to enjoy the parks. If anything, these programs should be greatly expanded and should be a priority when it comes to funding. Yosemite is wonderful; it could be more so with more ranger programs."

Baltimore, Maryland

"My 6-year-old son, Jimmy, and I visited Kings Canyon National Park in June. We stayed at the lodge in Cedar Grove. I went there with my parents and grandparents when I was a kid. One activity that was integral to every trip - those from my childhood and those as an adult - was the evening campfire and ranger program. We'd trek to the campfire every night we were there. We'd sing songs ("In Kings Canyon" was the perennial favorite) and listen to the ranger talk. It was heaven. (Of course, my dad did complain each time they changed the benches or logs you sat on - but that too became part of the charm for me).

So, of course, when my 4th child came along, I was anxious to pass this "wonder of Kings Canyon" on to him too. This summer was his 4th visit. Unfortunately, all his prior visits had been scheduled early in June - before the evening campfire programs started. The rangers always told me the campfire programs didn't start until later in June due to cutbacks. So, this year we planned our trip for late June. With building excitement I went to the ranger station to find out what time the campfire would start. The ranger told me there would be no campfire that night. And, there would be no campfire the next night either. In fact, there wouldn't be a campfire until Saturday night. And, we were leaving Saturday morning. Once again, the dream of sharing the campfire with my son was gone. And why? Budget cuts.

The ranger, who was very understanding, said that due to the decreased staffing level in Cedar Grove, they were not able to have the campfire every night. I explained the situation to him, and he said that he'd had several people tell him different versions of the same story - this childhood tradition, this wonderful experience, gone.

My hope is that one day my son will be able to experience the magic of the campfire. In the meantime, he'll have to make due vicariously with my memories."

Ventura, California

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