RSB, Grand Canyon 2024
During my senior year of college at Texas Tech University, I had the amazing opportunity
to go on a Raider Service Break for spring break to The Grand Canyon National Park
in Arizona. Through the TrUE and McNair Scholars Program, ten students were able to
volunteer and work at The Grand Canyon National Park with Park Ranger Todd Nelson
who prepared us throughout the week and taught us many things. We focused on the different
opportunities the national park services offer in terms of jobs and careers. In a
way, the national park service has something for everyone no matter their background
or interests, which was a reassuring thing to find out. The raider service break was
important because not only did it reveal new possibilities that me and my fellow students
never knew about, it also gave us a chance to connect and build with each other in
many beneficial ways. Another reason why the raider service breaks are so important
is because where the students come from. All of the students who were a part of the
trip are involved in TrUE and McNair which focus on preparing underrepresented students
to pursue graduate degrees in higher education. Typically, that means students will
come from a minority background, and raider service breaks offer opportunities that
may have not easily come to us. I personally got the chance to gain new friends as
well as learn about all the different types of people that joined us on the trip which
was very refreshing as it got me out of my comfort zone.
I'm very glad that I was able to join this trip and spend time connecting with nature,
providing service with volunteer work, and building meaningful friendships. Not only
did I step out of my comfort zone, I learned so much while volunteering. During the
trip, we worked at the visitor center in the national park and helped guests who were
visiting find their way around the park. We answered all types of questions in terms
of where things were, the history of the park, what events were happening, and what
are the best trails/things to do. One thing that stood out to me during the service
trip was the weather, Arizona is typically known for being a desert with high temperatures.
However, the Grand Canyon is a completely different wonder. On the last days of the
trip, we were hit with a snowstorm that left the park covered in about 3-5 inches
of snow. This was very shocking to some visitors and they became a bit disappointed
about the outcome of their trip because of the weather. The volunteers really banded
together to help the visitors even more since the weather was so terrible. We cheered
everyone up and some even took pictures with a family to celebrate a birthday. Overall,
my favorite days were the snow days as it reminded us that sometimes the simple things
such as snow can bring so much joy and that unexpected things are a blessing. Just
standing outside in bad weather and getting to meet so many people and connect with
them in not the best circumstances left such a positive impact on me because I was
in the moment just enjoying what I can. I was reminded to be thankful no matter what
and that anything can turn out different with the right mindset.
I am beyond grateful that I was able to take part in this trip and something that one of the “band members” that park ranger Todd Nelson had a part of his team left me with a saying that stuck with me. A volunteer named Joanna who had spent over seven years working and hiking throughout the park told us something on the very first day, she said “the canyon will nurture you, if you let it in.”. I didn't really understand what she meant until the trip was almost over, it turns out she was absolutely correct. Not only is the canyon a beautiful place to visit and explore, it is also a place where you can lay down your worries and be present in the moment. That's what I was able to do during this trip, which was unexpected. It left me wondering why being in such a place force you to focus on the now? The answer finally clicked towards the end of the trip, in better words the canyon in my opinion can be considered one of the wonders of the world. There is truly nothing that I have ever seen that's like it, so it makes one give their full attention to truly understand the beauty of it. At the end of my trip, I felt connected with nature and myself in a welcoming way, it was like the canyon really did nurture me and make me focus on what's important and what is currently happening in front of me. I will take the lesson that started with a little saying that Johanna had told us with me throughout my life.
After experiencing the raider service break, I am now aware that there are limitless
options waiting to be discovered and that all you have to do is be in the right place
at the right time. I also know that I can meet and build connections with people from
all different walks of life and foster a community through it. Lastly, the most important
take away that I got was that I have a passion for giving back and taking care of
the earth. So, I soon started looking for ways where I can volunteer and take care
of my community at the same time. This led me to finding an opportunity to go work
at Yosemite National Park in California over the summer. I look forward to applying
what I've learned over this raider service break and bringing it into fruition in
my real life. I strongly encourage others to take a chance as well and step out of
their comfort zone and join the raider service break, this will be a trip I never
forget!