Appalachian State University Recreation Management Program

11/07/2025

What do you do when there is a Thursday night Football game? Why have a RM Sew In! Students in Dr. James’ RM 2100 class shared their interest to learn about quilting in her class. The Sew In began with a Turkey Chilli dinner and ended with the creation of Heart Coin purse! There was some dancing too 😎!!

11/07/2025

RM Senior Evan Stone and RM Alumnus Yates Pharr sharing about Falling Creek Camp for Boys in Dr. James Leisure in Society class!

11/05/2025

Penn State hiring an Assistant Director - AURORA Outdoor Orientation Programs. This would be a great position for OEE recent graduate! Here are the details:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the universi...

11/03/2025

John Caveny, a 2013 graduate of the Recreation Management program at Appalachian State, now serves as the Vice President of Conservation and Education at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Reflecting on his time in the program, he recalls memorable experiences like attending the Park Ranger Institute, engaging in hands-on field trips, and even learning the signs of hypothermia firsthand during a Swift Water Rescue class. He credits the program with pushing him beyond his comfort zone and equipping him with practical skills that continue to serve him daily. If given the chance, he would retake the Wilderness First Responder course, which sparked his passion for wilderness medicine and provided enduring knowledge beyond certification. His advice to current students is to prioritize networking, spending time with professionals across the field through conferences and volunteer opportunities, as these connections are invaluable for discovering career paths and gaining insight from experienced mentors.

John Caveny

11/01/2025

📣🌟 We’re Honored to Announce! 🌟
Roan Mountain State Park has received the 2025 Excellence in Operations Award — for the second year in a row! 🏆

This award celebrates our park’s commitment to outstanding visitor experiences, facility care, operational excellence, and resource stewardship — even through the challenges of Hurricane Helene.

Here are just a few highlights from this past year:

👣 Visitors & Volunteers
• We welcomed over 1.2 million visitors in FY24/25
• Recruited 687 volunteers, contributing 2,742 hours
• Partnered with local universities, conservation groups, and community organizations to support research and stewardship projects

🌲 New & Improved for You
• Added backcountry camping, the Rosebay Ridge Trail, an All-Terrain Wheelchair, colorblind viewing stations, adult changing stations, a bike repair station, and more!
• Opened our new Storybook Trail featuring Benny the Hellbender and our “Don’t Dam the Doe” conservation message
• Upgraded all 30 cabins with Wi-Fi, new linens, lighting, furniture
• Fully remodeled Shelter 1 restrooms and Camp Store post-Helene

💰 Operational Excellence
• Cabins ranked #4 in the state with a 93 Net Promoter Score
• Campground ranked #12 in Tennessee, despite partial closures
• Gift Shop ranked #2 in the state
• Exceeded our revenue goal by 1% for the year!
• Despite Hurricane Helene’s impact, our team persevered — promoting staff, hiring new talent, and continuing to serve our visitors.

🌿 Resource Stewardship
• Continued Hellbender research and habitat restoration on the Doe River
• Conducted wildlife and plant studies with universities across the region
• Restored the Miller Farmstead pond to support high-elevation dragonflies.
• Treated 462 trees for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
• Cleared 11,000 cubic feet of debris from Hurricane Helene
• Seasonal Resource Management employee Colby led major restoration efforts. Alone, he cut, bagged, and burned 1,453 lbs of invasive plants, treating over 59 acres along the Doe River after Hurricane Helene to combat the invasive seed deposit Helene left in its wake. He also restored 12 acres of native habitat by removing Autumn Olive at the Miller Farmstead.
• Earned the Diamond Award for GO Green sustainability efforts.

A huge thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and community for helping us achieve this honor again. Roan Mountain State Park continues to thrive because of your passion and support! 💚

10/28/2025

Despite the current US government lapse in funding, NPS seasonal positions for summer 2026 are posting on USAJobs.gov.

Here is the posting for Park Guide (Seasonal). Closing date is listed as 11/02/2025 for applications.

Search and apply for federal jobs. Learn about unique hiring paths for veterans, students and graduates, individuals with a disability, and more.

10/23/2025

From Dean Huff's Marie's Musings:

Recreation Management faculty member Dr. Susan Weidmann’s research has a spooky niche–centered around Halloween, ghosts, haunted spaces and their place within the recreation and tourism industry. (Image shows Weidmann at recent App State study abroad fair; photo submitted)
“I love all things spooky–including Halloween, horror movies and haunted houses,” she said. “During graduate school, I began investigating the industry of immersive horror recreation and commercial haunted houses and realized this industry had been mostly ignored by academia, despite having a large financial impact.”

10/23/2025

Check out this article on Valentine Riley (RM Alumna 2008) and Ashley Galleher (RM Alumna 2010) award BCHS Inspiring Service!

The App State Beaver College of Health Sciences inducted seven health and wellness leaders into the college’s fourth annual Trillium Society event held Oct. 17 in Levine Hall. The Trillium Society honors individuals and college advisory board members who have made significant contributions to the ...

10/21/2025

This month the Recreation Management Association partnered with NC Wildlife to host a Fly Fishing workshop! A group of RM 2100 students decided to go together! RM Students are the best!

10/17/2025

Congratulations to Recreation Management Alumni Ashley Galleher (2010) & Valentine Riley (2008)! The Beaver College of Health Sciences Awarded them with the 2025 Inspring Service Award for their dedication to community building and fostering a strong and healthy recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene in September, Ashley, Owner of ZRC Company, and Valentine, Owner of Kind Designs Screen Printing, sprang into action. Recognizing the urgent needs of their community, they co-founded the State Line Resource Station and Rural Distribution Center, located at Zionville Ramp Company in Zionville, NC/Trade, TN. Their response was swift and impactful: what began with a single table of supplies quickly expanded, with helicopters soon delivering critical resources to their site.

Their efforts encompassed coordinating volunteers, distributing essential supplies, including generators, medication, and food, and assisting with home cleanups. They also facilitated visits from healthcare providers and social workers to support families directly impacted by the storm. Their tireless, hands-on work was deeply rooted in compassion and service.

Proud of the difference Ashley and Valentine are making in people’s lives!!

State Line Resource Center need volunteers! To support their Community builing in the High Country check out: https://linktr.ee/statelineresource?fbclid=IwRlRTSANfVxtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrG7qOekeetdWI7yGkqaZYAyc_h6pmu4n1z8AF1pX512qVUJ2SgJP4tGJOHd_aem_y8wZJoYzvo1uRMYo5HC8YA

10/14/2025

Kudos to Dr. Weidmann on her publication in the Parks and Recreation Magazine on Haunted Halloween Event Design for All Ages! This article is based on her scholarship of Haunted Tourism! NRPA even highlighted her articles on Linkedin! Check out the article:

Experience our interactive, profoundly engaging digital publication!

10/09/2025

Big news for the Boone trailhead of the Northern Peaks State Trail! A "Notice to Proceed" was issued for the Rivers House Park Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant for a mile of trail and the southern terminus of the NPST.