This is a response by Douglas Fasching palisade14@hotmail.com   to a question of, 'I am working in Photo Services, what should I expect?' The answer supplied is great for first time staff members not knowing what to bring along. Some of the NPS stuff might be pointless for you but the rest of the info on staff living is super.

[The original email has been edited for grammatical errors]

What comes in the tent? I wish I had had someone to ask this of when I was headed out there for the first time.

Essentially what you get is a bigger wall tent than you might have had if you have been to Philmont as a camper. Much bigger. Still with tie down or bungee down flaps, but this time you will have a back wall with no exit. As I recall the Camper tent in Homebound and Trial bound tent cities are big canvas tunnels. You also get an electrical outlet. SOme have 3 prongs others two - bring an adapter. These big greenish babies also have triangular zip windows and wood platforms.

Inside the tent you will find two cots with a metal spring mesh as well as a two door locker. Since there is two of everything you should expect a tentmate. Things I have seen done:
-If you have the right kind of cots you can engineer bunkbeds using sticks jammed into the bedposts.
-Locker laid down on its side and cots arranged in an 'L' fashion. The locker on its side allows for more room for clothes that don't hang.
-Use of trunks or stolen milk crates as end tables and more storage.
-Foamies on wooden palette rather than cots to reduce various creaking noises.

The most important thing to know is that after 8AM you tent becomes an oven. Don't plan on spending alot of time here anyway. Working for NPS you will be taking photos all day long and developing them all night long. At least those are the hours I have heard.

Despite the electrical outlet, I would recommend bringing a battery operated travel alarm clock. Several advantages: you can take it on the trail with you when you hike, it still works if the power goes out accidentally, and it still works if the power goes out due to a local shutdown at your tent. The plugs you get are easily unplugged in the night quietly by a well meaning friend.

Bring sheets and blankets as well as a sleeping bag. Take the plastic thing off of your foamy and fold it up under your cot - expect to find silverfish bugs in it in August when you pull it back out again. If you can afford the shipping or you have room in your '85 Honda Accord pack like you are moving to college NOT like you are going camping. Pillows, sheets, blankets, lots of clothes, laundry basket, bike, guitar - I even knew people that brought their computers into the backcountry.

If you have a car do not ever loan it to anyone - ever. Especially not me. However, plan to be generous with your free time and stuff. But bring a lock for your trunk just in case. Wear t-shirts under your staff shirt - you will actually be cooler. Buy a couple of staff shirts and rotate their use. Same with scout shorts.

I know for a fact that the day you get to go over to the Training Center to take their group photos is one of the nicer assignments. Its not easier, but the people are a different challenge to arrange and there is alot more shade to wait in. I can't think of anything else at the moment.