National Park Vacations might not Happen in 2017

DownTheAvenue wrote:

bka0721 wrote:
Campgrounds that are normally open will be gated and closed. Services will be reduced or eliminated and some parks and monuments might be closed for the summer season.

Pure speculation on your part without the first shred of anything to support your claim.

What you do not realize is that much of the labor pool of recreational activities at National Parks are done by seasonal employees, college interns, and volunteers. The hiring ban was on permanent, full time employees which are paid from different line item on the budget.

I am sorry some feel I have no experience or standing on this subject. We as a forum often are unaware of a poster’s background and that is often the reason why we stay in specific “sand boxes” where our experiences are more known and more often than not, appreciated.

What I will offer, if anyone comes to the National Park I am working in, where I began working in 1977, stop in and say; “Hi!!” Maybe there will be time to go for a hike and or visit a bit. I am easy to find as I am the only Old Ranger with a full white beard.

Update: Tuesday Afternoon we received an update, that had earlier been stated to be processed by April 22nd, that the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) clarifies that seasonal hiring will proceed forward, after a brief delay. The announcement can be found at this; OPM Clicky

Again, the reason for this post was no more than to alert vacation planners for the coming summer of a potential issue they might encounter. I would offer if you had knowledge that there would be road construction through an important route and or closure, wouldn’t you like to be aware of this information? That’s all this was intended to do. Nothing political and one thing I have learned is the disconnect that many have in what our National Parks are and how they are managed.

Joe417 wrote:
Since many of the N parks are run by private companies, will it make much difference. I do realize that the parks still have government employees there.

Would it be possible for you to share which N parks are run by private companies? To my knowledge there are no National Parks that are run by private companies. Many parks have rich history from facilities being built by Interstate Railroads to provide lodging, restaurants and concessions for visitors. In recent years the larger parks are outsourcing management of campgrounds. Also, when I began as an Interpretive Ranger (we were called naturalists back then) in 1977, we didn’t have Volunteers. Now, volunteers are a ratio of 20 to 1 for the Uniform Rangers. We couldn’t open our National Parks without VIPs, (Volunteers in the Park). I believe you are confused with the small details of the inner workings of the Parks and that is a message the NPS could do a better job of making more clear.

Joe417 wrote:
When out west year before last, Yellowstone concessions were covered up with oriental employees. Many could barely speak English. From what I could gather, they weren't using near as many camp-workers as I had seen in previous years. So if it does affect the private companies it would put a huge dent in temporary US work visas.

I am more than dismayed with your comment here. Possibly we could look more tolerant towards others in this nation of immigrants. True, many of the national companies (Xanterra, Delaware North and others) spend much time hiring from outside the country. But I would encourage the observer and or person disgruntled to ask themselves, do you encourage your young people to work? To work menial jobs that pay little but return lifelong experiences? You will find that these corporations struggled for years to find dependable help with “in country” staffing. But problems exist not just with low pay, but the fact that many of our younger generation have not learned to work, arrive on time when scheduled and by golly, work during their shift.

Again, take the time to talk to some of these individuals and learn about their reasons for being here in the parks and what their experiences have been. It might be enlightening to you and your own life.

b