Florida Park Service Ranger Association upcoming events

2026 Annual Gathering (April 10, 2026)

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Join us for Fun & Fellowship!

The Florida Park Service Ranger Association will gather at Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs for our 37th Annual Gathering. We encourage everyone to reach out to folks who haven’t attended a gathering in a while and to reconnect with their FPS family.

Our General Business meeting will discuss the status of the Association and the plans we have for the coming year. After lunch on Saturday, we are hosting a FPS Directors Panel Discussion with former FPS Directors. There will be other presentations to highlight FPS heros.

The Arnold Kuenzler & Family Auction, started in the 1990s, is named for Arnold, Aggie & Kim who donated countless hand-crafted objects through the years. Hand-crafted objects and collectibles are still donated each year and serve as one of the major fundraisers for the Ranger Association’s James A. Cook Humanitarian Relief Fund which directly benefits past and present FPS staff. The Auction also serves as great entertainment. Arnold served as our entertaining Auctioneer for many years and the tradition continues with today's Auctioneers generating a lot of laughs.

You don’t have to be a member to attend but once you see what good deeds the organization performs you will want to join.

Overnight Accommodations

Contact Sandy Cook

Program

Thurs, April 9

10:00 am - Service Project

We will be removing a couple sets of derelict steps. Bring your gloves, hammers, pry bar, destruction tools and other appropriate tools if you have them, but is not necessary.

Friday, April 10

10:00 am – What’s Happening at Stephen Foster

Meet at Museum Parking lot. Update from Debra Walker, Park Manager, on what's happening at the park, visit the Museum.

3:00 pm - FPSRA Board Meeting - Nelly Bly Kitchen

6:00 pm - Pot Luck Dinner - Auditorium Building

Bring a dish to share. Beverages, plates, and utensils will be provided, however, feel free to bring your reusable plates and utensils).

Saturday, April 11

All activities in the Auditorium Building

9:00 am - Registration & get re-acquainted - Coffee & light breakfast. Sponsored by the Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization.

9:30 am - Annual Business Meeting and FPSRA Awards Presentation

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch & Visiting (Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions). Silent Auction begins.

1:30 pm - FPS Directors Panel Discussion

FSP Foundation Update

2:30 pm – Silent Auction Ends

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Arnold Kuenzler and Family Annual Auction

6:00 pm - Dinner (Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions)

7:30 pm – Catching up with old friends, Campfire, visiting & music. Campsite # 29

Additional Event Information

As a reminder items donated for the Auction should be hand made or collectable.

In an effort to limit the auction to the allotted time, a "free" or "make a donation" table will be available for items not sold during the silent auction or items you think others might want - think FPS themed items.

If you have FPS objects, photos, or documents you would like to share or donate to the FPS Collections facility please bring them along.

If you need special accommodations or have dietary restrictions or preferences please let us know in advance.

FPS Reunion and Family Fun Day - 2026 (November 06, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

FPS Reunion and Family Fun Day 2026

You and your family are invited to join us for some fun and fellowship dedicated to the men and women who continue to make the Florida Park Service the best state park system in the country. The event is a joint effort between the FPS Ranger Association and the Florida Park Service to provide a fun, relaxing, and affordable weekend for park service staff and their families.

This event is for current and past FPS staff, families, and guests. It is not open to the general public.

The “FPS Reunion & Family Fun Day” includes activities for all ages and plenty of time to visit with old and new friends. Additional information will be provided at a later date.

Registration: The registration fee includes meals, activities, and a campsite for Friday & Saturday.

Early registration is $15 for each Adult (paid by October 25th) and $5 for Children (ages 12 to 18) Children under 12 are free.
Registration after October 25th is $20 for each Adult and $5 for Children (ages 12 to 18) Children under 12 are free.

Friday

10:00 am - Field trip, TBD

3:00 pm Board Meeting

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Registration, Rec Hall

6:00 pm Welcome and Potluck Dinner - Bring a dish to share. Plates, Forks, Cups, and tea will be provided

7:30 pm

Saturday

7:00 am Coffee for the early birds

8:00 am - 9:30 am Breakfast

9:30 am - 5:00 pm Activities - canoe, kayak, and bike rentals through Wekiwa Springs Adventures - Sponsored by Guest Services

12 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch

6:00 pm Dinner - Sponsored by Guest Services

7:00 pm Music Jam Session (bring your instruments)

Campsites: A limited number of campsites have been blocked for this special occasion.

To reserve a CAMPSITE email Sandy Cook, Sandy.FPSRA@gmail.com (please include FPS Family Fun Day in the subject line and provide the size of your camping rig).

Saturday Only: Come for the whole weekend or just for the day, but please remember to register.

Questions: Contact Sandy Cook at Sandy.FPSRA@gmail.com

JOIN US AS WE HELP MAINTAIN THE FPS FAMILY CULTURE!

We appreciate the support and partnership!

Ranger Rendezvous - Collier Seminole (February 17, 2027)

Wed, 17 Feb 2027 05:00:00 GMT

Ranger Rendezvous

Feb 2027

Collier Seminole State Park

Campsites have been blocked.

Email Sandy.FPSRA@Gmail.com to request a site

More details coming

2027 Annual Gathering (April 09, 2027)

Fri, 09 Apr 2027 22:00:00 GMT

Location and details below are tentative

More details coming

Join us for Fun & Fellowship!

The Florida Park Service Ranger Association will gather at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park for our Annual Gathering. We encourage everyone to reach out to folks who haven’t attended a gathering in a while and to reconnect with their FPS family. Our General Business meeting will discuss the status of the Association and the plans we have for the coming year.

You don’t have to be a member to attend but once you see what good deeds the organization performs you will want to join.

Overnight Accommodations

Contact Sandy Cook - Info coming soon.

Program

Friday, April 2

10:00 am - Field trip

3:00 pm - FPSRA Board Meeting

6:00 pm - Pot Luck Dinner - Bring a dish to share. Beverages, plates, and utensils will be provided, however, feel free to bring your non-disposable plates and utensils).

Saturday, April 4

9:00 am - Registration & get re-acquainted - Coffee & light breakfast.

9:30 am - Annual Business Meeting

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Lunch & visiting , (Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions) Silent Auction begins.

2:00 pm - Park Ranger of the Year and FPSRA Awards Presentation

2:30 pm – Silent Auction Ends

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Arnold Kuenzler and Family Annual Auction

6:00 pm - Barbeque Dinner (Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions)

7:00 pm – Catching up with old friends, Campfire, visiting & music

Additional Event Information

If you have FPS objects, photos, or documents you would like to share or donate to the FPS Collections facility please bring them along.

If you need special accommodations or have dietary restrictions or preferences please let us know in advance.