Hike Leaders Sought to Guide Tiger on the Trail

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (September 2, 2008) - Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, in partnership with Harpers Ferry Family Medicine, Harpers Ferry Middle School, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, is expanding a walking/hiking program for young teens. The ongoing program, called "Tiger on the Trail," after the Harpers Ferry Middle School’s mascot, will serve all four middle schools in Jefferson County, West Virginia, this fall.

The primary goal of the program is to enable kids to get out of doors and to engage in fitness in a fun way. The program also introduces students to the extraordinary natural resources and scenery that Harpers Ferry offers in the three national parks surrounding the town of Harpers Ferry: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the C&O National Historical Park. Hike leaders are needed to guide teachers and students along the extensive local network of trails and introduce kids to the wonders of nature.

An information session for prospective hike leaders or anyone interested in the program is being offered Friday, September 5, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It will be held at the Curtis Freewill Baptist Church, 47 Storer College Place in Harpers Ferry, about 50 yards up the hill from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Headquarters office and visitor center.

To participate, prospective hike leaders need to attend one hike as an observer, and commit to leading two hikes during the fall.

Hikes can be offered on any of more than half a dozen trails in and around Harpers Ferry Monday through Friday. Most of the hikes are 2-hour morning hikes; longer hikes can be scheduled in the afternoon. There are usually 15-30 participants, including a teacher and a parent chaperone.
Point of Contact: Amber Kraft, Education Specialist, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, (304) 535-6293 or Amber_Kraft@nps.gov.

Read The Shepherdstown Observer article“Saving Our Kids with Tigers”