{"id":2143,"date":"2016-03-12T02:19:50","date_gmt":"2016-03-12T10:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/?p=2143"},"modified":"2016-03-08T16:46:23","modified_gmt":"2016-03-09T00:46:23","slug":"save-the-park-volunteering-in-the-national-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/featured\/save-the-park-volunteering-in-the-national-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"Save the Park – Volunteering in the National Parks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Save<\/p>\n

Games for Change has\u00a0developed a game for your iPhone or iPad that is designed to get you and your friends to\u00a0\u00a0volunteer in national parks. \u201cSave the Park\u201d is\u00a0available for free via the app store. \u00a0It\u00a0was created through a $250,000 grant from American Express. \u00a0If nothing else, \u00a0you should download the app and try it out because\u00a0the\u00a0American Express Foundation will make a $1 donation to the National Parks Foundation\u00a0for each download of the game\u00a0before December 31, 2016, up to $50,000. The donation will support the National Park Foundation’s\u00a0park conservation and stewardship work.<\/p>\n

\"SavePlaying the Game<\/h1>\n

Playing the game is fairly\u00a0simple. \u00a0I tried it on my iPhone 4 and it was pretty slow and crashed\u00a0a few\u00a0times, but I\u00a0suspect\u00a0it will run better on newer devices.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Starting<\/h3>\n

\"Andre\"To start, you choose one of four characters Nei, Luna, Ben or Andre. \u00a0These represent volunteers and come with a student to help them in their tasks. \u00a0Each volunteer has a back story. \u00a0For example, “Andre is a 26 year old graphic designer who has been volunteering in the parks since he was a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York. \u00a0One of his fondest childhood memories is a class trip to the Stature of Liberty. \u00a0Andre volunteers to help park staff with interpretive events and guest services to ensure visitors have an incredible day in the park.”<\/p>\n

His helper is Simone, “a fourth grader and a Junior Ranger since the age of five. Simone takes the Junior Ranger motto “Explore, Learn, and Protect” very seriously and that’s why she’s eager to lend a hand to help.” \u00a0Oh, and Andre has a special power: he can power though obstacles.<\/p>\n

That’s Simone with the head band in the top photo. \u00a0In the same photo you can see Andre helping a park visitor while Simone ignores one – if my game skills were better they would both be helping a visitor.<\/p>\n

Upon choosing and unlocking your volunteer,\u00a0you must guide your volunteer and assistant to complete certain tasks. \u00a0One initial task is to post signs on sign boards (i.e. run into sign boards) while avoiding other obstacles. \u00a0During the game the two characters move steady across the screen from left to right as they encounter the signs they are supposed to hit and obstacles they are supposed to avoid. \u00a0You control them with your thumbs by moving them up or down along their journey. \u00a0Your right thumb controls your volunteer, while your left thumb controls your assistant. \u00a0When both characters complete a task (i.e. hit a sign) at the same time, you score a combo that is worth more points than completing a task individually. \u00a0Along the way, \u00a0your accumulation of points earns you stars that open new game levels and your volunteer’s special power grows stronger. \u00a0If your characters run into an obstacle they are not able to earn points\u00a0for awhile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Between Levels<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Between game levels, \u00a0you are invited to find real volunteer opportunities in your area. \u00a0If you choose to really volunteer, \u00a0the game takes you to the Volunteers-In-Parks<\/a> page of the National Park Service’s website where you can learn more about volunteering and proceed to find a volunteer opportunity that meets your needs. \u00a0This does quit the game, but on your return you can continue from where you left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Starting a New Level<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Starting<\/p>\n

At the start of a new level, \u00a0you can select another volunteer, if you have earned enough points to unlock them. \u00a0You can \u00a0also choose from one to four\u00a0different tasks (the number depends upon the number of points you have earned) and a park to explore (Forest, Desert, or Coast). \u00a0‘Forest’ seems to be always available, but it takes some points before you can unlock the other parks.<\/p>\n

One concept\u00a0wasn’t entirely clear – how to start the next level. \u00a0As it turns out, \u00a0when you select the task, a screen displays the objects you must hit and those you must avoid. \u00a0It also provides you with your current score and a button to start play.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Settings<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Settings are accessed from the home page, \u00a0You can disable the repetitive music, disable special effects or reset the data. \u00a0The latter lets you return the game to it’s initial state if you want to start over from the beginning.<\/p>\n

Other Features<\/h1>\n

As you wait for new levels to load, \u00a0you are presenting with “Did you Know?” factoids like:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Did you know?<\/h3>\n

Native Americans call Mt Rainier National Park’s mountain Tahoma, Tacoma or\u00a0Talal from a Lushootseed word meaning “mother of waters” and a Skagit word “meaning great white mountain.”<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Challenges offer another way to earn stars. \u00a0For each completed challenge you get a star. Challenges include:<\/p>\n