“Gangs in the Parks” This session will cover basic gang awareness, signs, symbols, etc. The instructor will also discuss the current trends in gang activity, which gangs are on the rise and how to identify them. (General Session – 3hrs.)
“Defensive Tactics for Non-Sworn Personnel” The class will learn basic defensive and escape moves. What to do when you come under an unexpected attack. (4hrs.)
“Park Patrol Techniques” The goal of this course is to give examples of patrol techniques that are currently in use as well as stimulate ideas to increase enforcement productivity while on patrol in numerous park environments. Students will see how proper application of skills (through hands-on exercises) can result in more drug and weapon seizures and arrests, better protection of our natural resources, as well as improving safety of the park visitor and officer. (8hrs.)
“Invasive Exotic Species” This session is designed to provide participants the basic knowledge and skills to be able to safely enact control measures on park property when invasive plants and insects are detected. (2hrs.)
“Developing a Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility” This class is designed to help anyone get the necessary criteria needed to establish a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. What to look for in a facility, how and where to get funding, and budgeting issues are a few things that will be discussed. (2hrs.)
“Birds of Prey” In this program we will discuss hawks, owls, eagles and other hawk like birds and how adaptations for hunting set them apart from other birds which make them unique and inspiring. (2hrs.)
“Program Swap/Revenue Generators” Participants are asked to bring in outlines of programs, discuss and/or demonstrate them to the group. Information will also be presented on different types of special events, attention getting and corrective behavior techniques and much more. (2hrs.)
“CPR Certification” This is a certification class, participants will receive their CPR Card. (4hrs.) Note: $3.00 for card.
“Outdoor Environmental Education for Youth Development” This session is a shortened version of a 6 hour Advance Interpretive Training workshop. This course will cover Fun and Games for outdoor learning and how they will work for you. Students will be asked to participate in group activities to demonstrate outdoor learning experiences. (2hrs.)
“Sexual Deviants in Your Parks” The participants will learn how to recognize Deviant Behavior, why Deviants pick parks, effects of this type of behavior on the park system, enforcement techniques for this type of behavior and courtroom procedures when dealing with Deviant Behavior. (3hrs.)
“Astronomy for Everyone” This class covers some basics of planning and leading successful astronomy programs with no more equipment than a clear dark night, your night vision, and binoculars if you have them. The course will cover earth science concepts of the moon and its phases, using sky maps to locate constellations and the earth’s place in the solar system. The class will include an evening observation session. (4hrs.)
“Using the Verbal Edge” The Verbal Edge is a form of communication to preserve law and order, while maintaining the publics and your own safety. By using your presence and words as force response options you can achieve your desired outcome without resorting to physical force. This is crucially important in today’s litigious society. As park law enforcement officers we need every available tool to do our jobs safely and effectively. The one skill we use over and over that has the least potential for getting you sued is your communication skills. (2hrs.)
“Question & Answer – Panel of Professionals” This class is designed for the college students in attendance to ask questions of a panel of professionals in the field both sworn and non-sworn. (2hrs.)
“Kayaking for Kids” Participants will learn safety techniques and planning for paddling with groups, special considerations when paddling with groups of children and inexperienced staff, and kayak games. This is an off-site class and participants will get hands-on instruction using kayaks on a lake. (4hrs.)
“Teach a Kid to Fish Program” Participants will learn how to promote their event, different ways to fund such an event and what types of funding sources may be available in their area, the importance of volunteers to the success of their program and hoe to recruit them, participants will learn about environmental ethics. This class is combines with Kayaking for Kids and will be off-site and involve some hands-on exercises. (4hrs.)
“Rescue Techniques – Basic Ropes, Riggings & Carry Outs” This program will cover the basic knots and rigging that would be needed to affect an embankment rescue. Training will include classroom sessions on basic knot tying, theories of rigging and keeping the process simple. There will also be a classroom session on considerations for “Carry Outs” when the victim cannot be reached with motorized equipment. How to plan the carry out so that time and resources are saved. The classroom sessions will be followed by an afternoon practical exercise. (6hrs.)
“Lake Ecology” This class will explore lake food webs in lakes. Most people these days think “plankton” is only a character on Sponge Bob. We’ll try our luck at “micro-fishing” using plankton nets and simple microscopes. We will discuss many different factors that affect water quality in lakes. (4hrs.)
“Playground Safety Inspections” Playground safety inspections are an important function of any park system. By understanding the fundamentals of playground safety inspections one can not only provide a safer environment for park users, but also a baseline for future equipment upgrades. (2hrs.)
“Skull I.D.” This class will teach participants how to identify what types of skulls they are finding in their parks, thereby giving them an indication of what types of animals they might have in their area. There will also be a hands on display followed by a question and answer period. (2hrs.)
“Cultural Diversity – Dealing With Muslim Park Patrons” This course will introduce some of the common customs and traditions of the faith of Islam for the purpose of ranger/officer interaction. The course will be applicable to the two main stream sections of the religion. (2hrs.)
“Basic First Aid” this again a Certification class, participants will receive their Basic First Aid card. (4hrs.) Note: $3.00 for card.
“Orienteering – Basic Land Navigation” Participants will learn the parts of a compass as well as how to use it, basic skills on how to read maps, how to use a map and compass to navigate through various type of terrain, and how to use and understand basic orienteering terms. (4hrs.)
“Bird Watching 101” Interpreting birds through walks and hikes is a great way to interact with and get folks interested in our natural resources. In this class you will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound. Participate in a hands on identification activity using study skins, digital images and field guides. Gain practical experience identifying birds by sight and sound on a bird hike (site to be determined). (4hrs.)
“Dangers in the Wild” Participants will learn how to handle dangerous encounters with wildlife, how to make yourself less attractive to stinging insects, how to tell the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes and how to treat snake bites and how to avoid being bitten, how to identify ticks, symptoms of Lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever, how to identify Brown Recluse and Black Widow Spiders, bite symptoms and treatment, how to identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac and how to treat same, learn the history of rabies, what kinds of animals carry it, how to reduce exposure, how to recognize an infected animal and deal with them. (2hrs.)
“Future Trends in Parks and Recreation” this session will cover the Economic Downturn – layoffs, budgets, and programming, Crime Trends – gangs, general crime statistics, and statistics from state parks, Programming Needs – clientele and demographic changes. (2hrs.)
“How to write a Special Operations Plan” The purpose of a written Special Operations Plan cannot be understated. The importance of such a document is twofold: 1) it is a written record of accountability (CYA Principle) and 2) it is a written contingency plan in case of unforeseen circumstances occurring. A special ops plan can be used for anything from a major natural disaster to a small special event. (2hrs.)
“Car Clouting” This course will discuss larcenies from motor vehicles in park settings. The course will describe the types of individuals who commit this crime, entry tools, and methods of operation. It will discuss prevention. Recognizing patterns of activity and investigative techniques.
“Building a Dog Park in Your Park System” This class will explain what a dog park is? What the benefits of a dog park are and how to establish a successful dog park. How to develop guidelines for behavior of dogs and their owners. Why some people think they are a bad idea. We will discuss where to obtain additional information and how to put it all together to make it work. (2hrs.)
“Park Law Enforcement Liability Issues” Thinking of starting an enforcement program in your park system, or trying to enhance your current program? This class will discuss major areas of liability associated with enforcement programs, and techniques used to limit potential risks. (2hrs.)
“Night Interpretation” This class will focus on tips and techniques of night hikes. This class gives students tools and knowledge in how to set up and do nighttime interpretive programs. It will give the students key factors they will need to consider when doing programs after dark and ways to maintain the safety of those participating.
“Bike Patrol Techniques” The purpose of the bike patrol training is to assist officers and their respective departments to develop a bike patrol program with the emphasis on community relations, crime prevention, patrol techniques and enhanced response to emergency calls. Participants must provide their own bike to participate in the practical exercises. (6hrs.)
“Interpretation for Young Children” Very young children are fundamentally different than older children and adults and need to be taught differently. This workshop will explore the developmentally appropriate practice in education , the philosophy behind little ones, and potential teaching strategies for interpretation and environmental education programming for Pre-K through 2nd grades. Indoor and outdoor activities will be modeled and discussed. (6hrs.)
“Vehicles Left in the Park: A First Responder’s Role” You are securing your parks, and you notice a vehicle still there. What do you do? This course covers basic Search and Rescue principles that all park operations staff should know. Topics will include basic search principles, notification, and scene management. (2hrs.)
“Personality Type Assessments” Participants will take a personality inventory. The results of this inventory will be presented to each participant. An experiential process will be presented so each participant will learn how to recognize different types of personalities and work and communicate with each type more effectively. (3hrs.)
“Internet Child Predators” Participants will learn the basic investigative tools to properly investigate child predators on the Internet using chat rooms. Participants will learn how to set up an undercover account in chat rooms and how to put together a case for trial. (2hrs.)
“Grant Writing” The participants will gain knowledge of where to obtain grants, how to research for grants, and details of grant writing to increase the chance of funding. The participants will demonstrate their knowledge of these concepts in a practical exercise. (2hrs.)
“Orienteering _ Intermediate Land Navigation” Students will learn how to figure distance through triangulation, advantages of Universal Transverse Mercator, how to use a map and compass for search and rescue, and how to use a Grid Reader, students will use the knowledge gained from both sessions to participate in a Field Compass Exercise. (4hrs.)
“Incident Command – Module 700.a NIMS an Introduction” The course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. A FEMA Certificate will be received. (4hrs.)
“Diptera – Blood Suckers” Participants will be able to identify flies in the field using marks, behavior, and location. Participants will realize the importance of good habitat, as well as their role in an ecosystem. Participants will be able to lead hikes and interpret their behavior and life cycles. (2hrs.)
“Challenge Course and Rappelling Tower” A four hour experience on the academy high ropes course and climbing tower. Participants will learn climbing skills, belaying skills and rappelling skills. (4hrs.)
“Spider Workshop” Participants will be able to identify spiders in the field using marks, behavior and location. Participants will realize the importance of good habitats for spiders, as well as their role in an ecosystem. Participants will be able to lead hikes and interpret spider behavior and life cycles. (2hrs.)
“Snakes – How too and what not to do” Participants will learn how to carefully remove any given snake from a trail, campsite, parking area, or general population area without harm to the snake or the handler. There will be live examples of different species. (2hrs)
“Fossil I.D.” Participants will learn what a fossil is, different types of preservation, and how to identify a variety of commonly found fossils. Participants will also receive a brief overview of the concept of geologic time and geologic formations. Ideas for fossil program activities that can be presented to a class will also be demonstrated. (2hrs.)
Wednesday Trips:
“Lumber River State Park Canoe Trip”: Yancy King will take the group to Lumber River State Park for a day of canoe fun and environmental education programming. In case of inclement weather the group will go to Fort Macon State Recreation Area and the Coast Guard Station.
“Pirates, Crabs, Booties & Ferries” Sean Higgins will take the group NC Underwater Archaeology Lab to learn about pirates and blockade runners, the Aquarium at Fort Fisher to see horseshoe crabs, spot pelicans and northern gannets at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area with a return ferry trip across the Cape Fear River. (This trip will require some cost – to be determined)
“Pechman Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville, NC” Gary Gilliam and Vicky Fields will take the group to the Center where the morning session will be a fly fishing workshop, including learning how to tie your own flies and in the afternoon you will be fly fishing for trout in their ponds. Each participant can keep one fish which will be cooked fresh for dinner.
“Fort Bragg Tour” Dave Cox will take the group on a tour of several significant museums and some points of interest on base not normally accessible to the general public. Fort Bragg is the largest active military instillation on the mainland United States.
REMEMBER ALL TRIPS ARE OFF-SITE AND REQUIRE YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION. ANYONE THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO BRING A VAN TO CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF VEHCLES GOING ON EACH TRIP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
