Scimone spending summer working with the Student Conservation Association

            KEENE, N.H., 6/23/10 – As a young boy growing up in Walpole, Mass., Dan Scimone went on a few camp outings with his family around New England, but those were nothing compared to what he has experienced working as a volunteer for the Student Conservation Association (SCA) this summer.

            There’s a big difference between bunking down for a couple of nights at an established campground down on the Cape and spending a few weeks in a remote mountain area in California. “There are a lot more dangers out here,” said Scimone. “The first few nights were tough, but once I got comfortable, I was able to sleep well in the tent.”

            A member of the Keene State lacrosse team the past three years, Scimone, who will begin his senior year next fall, was looking for a summer job that coincided with his major. The safety studies major with a minor in environmental studies attended a job fair and was instantly drawn to the SCA’s exhibit.

            It didn’t take long for Scimone to realize that he had found a perfect, yet challenging, way to spend his summer. Founded in 1957, the Student Conservation Association offers college and high school-aged members hands-on conservation service opportunities in virtually every field imaginable. According to its website, the SCA has over 4,000 interns and volunteers serving more than 500 natural and cultural sites in all 50 states.

            Scimone applied for several positions. “It seemed like an experience of a lifetime,” said Scimone, who decided he’d learn the most and make the biggest impact working in the Angeles National Forest (ANF). Located in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angles, the ANF had more than 161,000 acres burned by arson in the station wildfire that began on August 26, 2009.

            Packing up his gear, including his lacrosse stick, Scimone headed west for the internship that runs through August 20. He spent the first few weeks camping out before moving into a barracks with four other interns and his project leader. Working in partnership with the forest service, Scimone and his crew could spend one day deep in the woods, the next restoring a campsite or clearing a destroyed hiking path. “Every day is different,” he said. “I try to learn from everyone I work with.”

            Scimone and his crew also work with numerous volunteers. “Our job is to educate them, support them, and show them what to do,” he said. “We need as much help as we can get.”

            Much of the work is hard and tedious. “A lot of areas you can’t even go near because the fire damage is so extensive,” Scimone said. “There are a lot of burnt trees still standing. It’s a major hazard. They could fall and hurt someone.”

            Scimone, who works four 10-hour days before getting three days off, has already seen the fruits of his labor, opening up several campsites.

            Scimone says being an athlete has helped him not only with the physical part of the job, but also with the teamwork necessary to complete a task. “Communication is key,” he said. “You’re constantly assessing what you’re doing with others. Different jobs require you to take a different approach.”

            Teamwork also helped Scimone succeed on the lacrosse field. A two-time All-Conference pick and senior captain, he helped lead his Xaverian Brothers High School team to a pair of state final games. Moving on to Keene State, Scimone, a defenseman, has impressed Coach Mark Theriault with his intense play and hard work.

            Going from the smooth turf of Owl Athletic Complex to the rough and treacherous terrain of the Angeles Forest has been enlightening for Scimone. “Coming out here, I wasn’t really into the environment, but it’s really opened my eyes and made me appreciate my surroundings,” said Scimone. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to help restore such a beautiful place – one that I didn’t even know existed until I got here.”