Grand Canyon National Park Hosts Alternative Break Citizenship School

Approximately 75 students from over 40 colleges participated in educational sessions and hands-on service work, during the Alternative Break Citizenship School, July 22-26, 2019.

By: Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes

Grand Canyon's Volunteer Program wrapped up a week-long experiential training session for college students with the Alternative Break Citizenship School. Approximately 75 students from over 40 colleges participated in educational sessions and hands on service work at the park July 22 to 26, 2019.

The ABC program combines workshops, small group discussions and planning sessions with service work. After the program, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to improve and promote their school's alternative break programs.

The training also included a component on stewardship and conservation for students interested in a career path with the National Park Service. Throughout the week, students interacted with park staff from multiple divisions including a Q&A session with park leadership and an introduction to entry level positions with the interpretation division.

Youth program organizations from the National Park Service's intermountain region also attended and shared other public land work opportunities for students.

Student's were not only able to learn about careers with the NPS, they were also able to get a behind-the-scenes look and contribute work to the park with Grand Canyon's maintenance division.

Over the course of three days, students and NPS staff worked to improve the custodial program's infrastructure by cleaning and preparing a maintenance bay to house a new electric truck storage area.

The work assisted the custodial program by bringing them a step closer to achieving their goal of going electric and reducing their need for fossil fuel use.

Students also participated in litter pickups and cleaned campfire rings at Mather Campground. The entire ABC group conducted approximately 900 hours of service, an estimated value of over $22,000 to the park.

Grand Canyon National Park is served by hundreds of volunteers each year, from enhancing visitor services to sharing your specialized expertise to help protect and preserve park resources. To find out about current volunteer opportunities at Grand Canyon visit, www.volunteer.gov

For questions related to the Grand Canyon National Park's volunteer program and the Alternative Break Citizenship School, contact our volunteer program coordinator, at 928-638-7474.

For more information about Alternative Break Citizenship Schools visit, https://alternativebreaks.org/.