2026 Annual Gathering

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 - Field trip

3:00 pm - FPSRA Board Meeting

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.

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

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)

6:45 pm - Florida Park Service Heros Program

7:30 pm – Catching up with old friends, Campfire, visiting & music

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.