By STACY BILBREY

Dale Hollow Lake Park Ranger Bobby Bartlett received the National Water Safety Congress 2009 Region 3 Award of Merit at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit on April 21 in Panama City (FL) for his long-term water safety educational and training efforts.  

(PHOTO ABOVE RIGHT) – WATER SAFETY AWARD-Dale Hollow Lake Park Ranger Bobby Bartlett recently received an award of merit from the National Water Safety Congress for his safety educational and training efforts. Bartlett is shown here with family members after receiving the award. (Photo submitted)  

Bartlett began his Corps career in 1974 as a Seasonal Park Ranger at Dale Hollow Lake working during his summer vacation teacher break from the local school system.  Bartlett served as an elementary school teacher and coach for 31 years and really understands and relates well with kids and youth.  He annually conducts water safety interpretive programs for several thousand disadvantaged children during the course of the 10 week Kentucky’s Trooper Island Summer Camp located on Dale Hollow Lake.  

Throughout the years, Bartlett has also voluntarily served as a staff mentor and coach to many new park rangers and co-op student ranger trainees beginning their Corps careers at Dale Hollow, teaching them the “ropes.” These valuable interpretative and water safety education skills he’s taught so many fledgling rangers continues to serve these rangers well today. 

Resource Manager Stephen Beason said, “Bobby  does a tremendous job with Dale Hollow’s interpretive program; so well that local schools and civic groups often times ask for him by name when requesting our water safety programs.  He’s truly a great asset for the Corps ranger training program and for Dale Hollow’s local youth.” 

Thanks to Park Ranger Bobby Bartlett for his unselfish efforts and congratulations on receiving this well-deserved national award.