Customer experience spotlight: Recreation.gov unveils 2023 ‘Share Your Story’ winners

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Recreation.gov unveils winners of “Share Your Story” contest, celebrating memorable experiences at national parks & federal recreation spots.

Recreation.gov has proudly announced the triumphant victors of its annual “Share Your Story” writing competition, a platform inviting individuals to recount their memorable encounters at America’s national parks, forests, and various federal recreation spots.

Driven by a commitment to customer satisfaction, Recreation.gov, in collaboration with primary sponsor Booz Allen Hamilton, places paramount importance on providing an exceptional user experience. Emphasizing equity, conservation, and fairness, the platform heavily relies on user feedback to ensure top-notch recreation management solutions and reservation systems. Entrants into the contest lend their distinctive narratives, chronicling heartfelt, humorous, and at times, extraordinary moments from their visits to federal recreation locales nationwide.

“At Recreation.gov, we strive to empower people to dream, plan, experience and share our nation’s federal lands and waters,” said Tommy Drake, Program Manager for Recreation.gov. “As the government’s outdoor recreation system for 14 Federal agencies, we welcome the opportunity to encourage visitors to share their memorable experiences which also helps us deliver on our mission to continually improve our service based on what we hear and learn from our users.” 

The grand prize honorees, alongside 18 other category and monthly winners, were meticulously chosen by a panel of judges from Recreation.gov. Participants shared their tales in diverse categories such as Activities and Adventures, Reaching for the Stars, Traditions (Old and New), Family or Group Travel, and Reflection Journeys.

“Recreation.gov’s annual Share Your Story contest demonstrates our continued commitment to elevating the customer experience to provide travelers with treasured memories at our federal lands and waters for years to come,” said Will Healy, Senior Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton. “We are excited to highlight the 2023 winners to share their positive experiences at destinations across the country and look forward to continuing our work in providing a valuable service that promotes equity and fairness for Recreation.gov users.”

The standout winners of the 2023 “Share Your Story” contest are as follows:

• Grand Prize and June Winner: Tracy Long’s captivating narrative, “My Brilliant Whitewater Grand Canyon Adventure,” recounts her exhilarating journey rafting the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. Tracy’s tale of pushing personal boundaries and basking in the camaraderie of friends promises an unforgettable read, with anticipation for future adventures along the Colorado River.
• Grand Prize Second Place and September Winner: In “Third time’s a charm,” Stephen Bromberg shares his awe-inspiring encounter with glaciers at LeConte and Dawes Glaciers in Alaska. After numerous failed attempts, Stephen and his partner finally realize their dream, marveling at the breathtaking beauty of these natural wonders.
• Grand Prize Third Place and June Winner: Scott Snell’s enthralling story, “Over 300 Continuous Trail Miles,” chronicles his triumphant participation in Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area’s Capital Backyard Ultra. Running for three days and nights amidst stunning scenery, Scott forges enduring connections with fellow competitors, culminating in a well-deserved victory.

Each grand prize winner receives REI Gift Cards to fuel future outdoor pursuits and an America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, granting access to countless federal recreation sites nationwide.

All submissions, comprising anecdotes and accompanying visuals, were captured between January 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, at facilities operated by participating agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Archives, and NOAA Marine Sanctuaries.

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