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Show ... V Part-Time Ranger Stays on As Bryce Canyon Volunteer BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Charles (Chuck) Bame is a unique part-time ranger. When the cash contracts ran out and the season came to a close, Bame elected to stay on as an unpaid volunteer. Bame, originally from Ohio and now a band and photography teacher at Flagstaff, Arizona Junior High School, says "My time at B.C.N.P. has been a high point in my life." The enthusiastic volunteer has spent four summers at the park and since he took a sabbatical from teaching this year, the position at the park fits in nicely. Bame has done work on various projects in the park during the time he has spent there. He has also done volunteer work for the United States Forest Service. He is currently working under the direction of Tom Biller, Natural Resources Officer and park fire manager and under Ron Wad-sworth, National Park Service technician. Because he teaches photography and associated subjects, he is often found in the park's dark room assisting in the photographic work being done there. Bame has been teaching band for 17 years. To avoid a chance of burnout in teaching, he elected to spend a year composing band music. He normally teaches four band classes each day as well as photography and related subjects, both at Flagstaff Junior High School and at Yavapai College in Flagstaff. The part-time ranger received his bachelor of science degree in music at Ashland College in Ashland, Ohio and his masters degree at North Arizona University in Flagstaff. Bame relaxes by playing alto recorder with a renaissance group in Flagstaff. He is also a life member in the Music Educators National Conference. Being paid isn't Important to Charles Bame, on sabbatical leave from Arizona teaching He has taught in excess of 1,000 students and has seen one become a symphony conductor and over a dozen become school band directors. Bame jokingly states "I used to play in the Flagstaff Symphony. I enjoyed playing, but I fell short technically." He is enthusiastic about music and about his future. He said he is ready to make a position. He volunteers his time because "Bryce Canyon is such a beautiful place to work." change in his life. When asked if his future included lots of music, his eyes twinkled and, with a chuckle, he said, "It's a possibility." |
