May 10, 2005 – V.I. National Park's trails, archeological sites and resource management issues are getting some help from a National Civilian Community Corps group. The three young men and eight young women will be on St. John from Tuesday through June 16.
"I'm not sure if I an ever take a vacation again without lending a hand. It feels great to be able to take responsibility for, instead of taking advantage of, such a beautiful paradise," Corps member Diana Rose of Lancaster, Penn. said in a news release issued last week.
Park spokesman Beulah Dalmida-Smith said the students hail from around the country.
This is the last leg of their 10-month program. Dalmida-Smith said the students sign up to travel and learn about other cultures.
The $4,725 they earn during their 10 months of work goes to pay for college or student loans.
Members range in age from 18 to 24.
Dalmida-Smith said it is a win-win situation for both the park and the students.
"This is another level of outreach," she said.
The Corps comes under the AmeriCorps umbrella, a network of national service programs created to improve the environment, enhance education, increase public safety, and assist with disaster relief and other unmet human needs.
The students are assigned to the Southeast campus, which has its headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. This campus serves Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Virgin Islands.
For more information about the Corps, visit www.americorps.org.

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