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A Passion for Parks: Diana Downey

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Diana Downey knew she wanted to be involved in recreation and parks as an undergrad at Frostburg State University, but it was not until she completed an internship at Yellowstone National Park Job Corps in Wyoming during the summer before her senior year that she realized what most attracted her about this kind of work.

At Yellowstone, Downey said she was drawn toward working with the at-risk youth—mostly teens from nearby Native American reservations.

“I came back from that experience and thought, ‘I want to do more,’” said Downey, and she was able to do just that. Upon graduating from Frostburg, she became involved in the Prince George’s County Conservation Job Corps as a job coach, after becoming familiar with the program at a Maryland Recreation and Parks Association conference.

The Conservation Job Corps recruits teens that are considered “at-risk,” or in other words, those who “don’t receive some of the things you get in a normal upbringing,” according to another CJC coach, Josh Holt.

These recruits are assigned to work in Maryland state parks, working to improve the grounds and environmental conditions. They can also participate in environmental enrichment activities such as kayaking, camping and hiking.

By giving these teens the opportunity to work as employees, with some extra guidance and education, the CJC program helps them to understand professional behavior and pursue better job opportunities later in life.

“It develops them into environmentally aware stewards,” said Downey, “and they are our future, so it’s just really important for them to have the experiences.”

Working with CJC provided Downey with some new opportunities as well, such as kayaking for the first time, seeing various parks in Maryland and working with six different state agencies. However, she said what drew her in most was working with “kids that really needed you.”

“It’s really rewarding just knowing that you’re impacting lives,” she said. She added that CJC teens have impacted her as well, showing her how to have fun while on the job.

“They would rap while they worked,” said Downey. “Music is what motivated them to get through the day. To see that side of work—that it’s not always work—[showed me that] you can use what motivates you to do the best you can do.”