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Volunteer Story: Visitor Services at the Fordyce
Meet your current visitor service volunteers!
![VIP James Byrd A young man with a dark beard and long dark hair wearing a khaki button-up shirt smiles from behind a desk.](/articles/000/images/286945538_735608904222781_800434674153807766_n.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS Photo/K. Foster
James Byrd
Hometown: Hot Springs, AR
Start of HOSP volunteer service: Summer 2016 and April 2022
Reason for volunteering: James initially started volunteering when he was doing research on the historic bathhouses. He returned to volunteering in 2022 to give back to his community.
Favorite part of volunteering: Talking to and meeting visitors!
A Fordyce must-see: “The gymnasium because of all its history.”
![VIP Lily C. A young woman with dark straight hair wearing a navy-blue cardigan and jeans poses in front of a historic gymnasium with old, wooden equipment.](/articles/000/images/lily-c.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS Photo/T. Monroe
Lily Cox
Hometown: Gurdon, AR
Start of HOSP volunteer service: January 2023
Reason for volunteering: Lily is completing academic service requirements while pursuing a degree at Henderson State University in Museum Studies.
Favorite part of volunteering: Meeting all the interesting visitors at the park!
A Fordyce must-see: All the beautiful stained glass around the building.
![VIP Greg A man with gray hair and glasses wearing a beige button-down shirt poses next to a sign that reads, "Fordyce Baths."](/articles/000/images/greg-fisher2.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS Photo/T. Monroe
Greg Fisher
Hometown: Hot Springs, AR
Start of HOSP volunteer service: March 2023
Reason for volunteering: Greg grew up right next to Hot Springs Mountain, spending his youth exploring and playing on the park's trails. He has since developed a passion for the history of this local area.
A Fordyce must-see: The Music Room on the 3rd floor.
![VIP Khristin A young woman with dark curly hair wearing a beige button-down shirt and jeans poses with her hands behind her back in front of a white state of a woman in a large hat.](/articles/000/images/khristin-g2.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS Photo/T. Monroe
Khristin Guardado
Hometown: Hot Springs, AR
Start of HOSP volunteer service: September 2022
Reason for volunteering: Khristin replied to an Instagram post recruiting NPS volunteers. She feels that it's a great way to complete service hours for school, as well as learn more about her community!
A Fordyce must-see: The sunbathing courtyard on the 2nd floor.
![Jodi Reed, NPS Volunteer A middle-aged white woman with short brown hair and glasses poses in a tan NPS volunteer uniform.](/articles/000/images/jodi.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
NPS Photo/K. Barat
Jodi Reed
Hometown: Oceanside, CA
Start of HOSP volunteer service: March 2022
Reason for volunteering: Jodi volunteers for a chance to give back to the NPS, as she has loved visiting our nation’s parks, monuments, and recreation areas all her life.
Favorite part of volunteering: Meeting people from all over the world and welcoming them to the Fordyce Bathhouse.
A Fordyce must-see: “Definitely the gym!”
NPS Photo/L. Greer
Kevin Roth
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Start of HOSP volunteer service: November 2021
Reason for volunteering: Kevin has time available and likes meeting strangers! Volunteering at the Fordyce Visitor Center gives him the perfect opportunity to mingle and serve his community at the same time.
Favorite part of volunteering: Meeting new people every day.
A Fordyce must-see: “The beautiful stained glass ceilings.”
NPS Photo
Jack Thorp
Hometown: Camden, AR
Start of HOSP volunteer service: 2011
Reason for volunteering: Jack wanted something to do that wasn’t full time, since he is retired.
Favorite part of volunteering: Talking to people about Hot Springs and the park. “People are amazed something like this exists.”
A Fordyce must-see: “The old workout equipment, the gymnasium, and the music room. It's a different way of living.”