AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - July 2016

July 2016
brought to you by Joe Harold, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

The peak of the NOBO Thru Hiker crowd has most likely passed, but we still have a lot of hikers coming into the Museum.  Most are very full from eating ice cream, but we know that in a few minutes they will be hungry again.  With the passing of the peak, our hours will scale back to Noon to 4PM and before too long, we will start to see the SOBOs come through the park.  

Thanks to all of you for your help.  It is certainly appreciated.

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2016 Will Be A Banner Year At The Museum 

Each month I prepare a summary report that I send to the the Board of Directors.  It gives them, (and me), a good snapshot of how the Museum is doing throughout the season.  The report shows attendance, sales, donations and volunteer hours.  As I was preparing the June report early this month, I notice that for the last two months everything has been looking very promising.  June had the highest visitor count since our first two months back in 2010.  Our donations and sales were the highest ever.  This shows that people are really liking the Museum and our Docents are who make them like it.  

I'm sure "A Walk In The Woods" is partly responsible for this popularity, but we also think that our new Lower Level Children's Museum (suitable for all ages 2 to 200) is also drawing in more visitors.  

As business continues to Boom, we will continue to be there to welcome our visitors and show them the wonder of the Trail.  With all of you volunteers, that is possible.
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A.T. Museum And The Park in the News 

The Museum has also been fortunate this year in the publicity department.  We have been featured or mentioned in a number of publications in the area.  Below are a few I have gathered in the last couple of weeks.  

Celebrate Gettysburg Magazine 

Main Line Today

The Half Gallon Challenge seems to be a popular news item this year.  Here are two videos on the topic.  The first one is from the York Daily Record and the second is from Fox 43.  
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Programs Needed for August 

If you have checked out the Sunday Public Programs page recently, you will see that the month of August still has slots open for presenting our public programs.  If you have something you would like to present, or know someone who might be interested in presenting a topic, let me know and we will get it scheduled.  
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Things Coming Down the Trail

July 17th, 2016 - Program: Backpacking with a Dog
July 24th, 2016 - Program: Starting out Halfway... WV, MD and PA on the A.T. 
July 31st, 2016 - Program: You Don't Know What You Got 'til It's Gone
August 28th, 2016 - Program: Appalachian Odyssey