RSB, Grand Canyon 2025
It’s a funny thing about certain experiences. Sometimes, even while you’re right in the middle of them, it can feel like you’re watching from the outside. That’s kind of how my recent trip to the Grand Canyon started out.
The very first night, a few of us stepped outside to look at the sky. I’m used to maybe spotting a single Big Dipper back at Tech if the light pollution isn’t too bad. But out there? Shooting stars were flying across the sky like it was nothing. I think I saw five or six in just an hour. It didn’t even feel real. Even with the incredible views unfolding around us, and they really were incredible, especially the night sky, I had this moment of feeling like I’d never fully be able to take it all in. That was probably the first time it really sank in that I was there.
We were based in Grand Canyon Village, staying near the Albright Training Center.
Most of the trip was spent volunteering with folks at the center and with the wildfire
services crew, the people who manage controlled burns, fly helicopters, and put out
fires on the ground. Our group helped with the kinds of tasks they often don’t have
time for, which just so happens to be the type of work I love: clearing out fire sites,
organizing storage rooms, cleaning up common spaces, and prepping hundreds of training
materials. The wildfire crew was actually celebrating when we finished organizing
their storage area. It had apparently been on the backburner for ages.
It’s easy to overlook how important volunteering can be, especially when there’s no
paycheck involved. But in places like this, where government agencies are stretched
thin and every person is juggling too much, it really makes a difference. We weren’t
doing glamorous stuff, but it helped lighten the load. I think being part of TrUE
and TRIO helped build trust too. The staff knew we were there to help, and that they
wouldn’t have to redo everything after we left.
Honestly though, what made this trip truly unforgettable was the group I went with.
Everyone involved in the Raider Service Break was connected through TrUE and TRIO
at the university, students and staff alike, all people who care about supporting
underrepresented students. Even though we see each other around campus, being out
there together felt totally different. It was like a week-long hangout with friends.
There was a range of ages in the group, but it didn’t matter. We were just people
cooking meals together, hauling heavy logs, getting dirty, and having conversations
that felt easy and real.
That sense of perspective, the feeling of watching through someone else’s eyes, came back a few times throughout the week. Whether it was looking up at the stars or watching the park employees in action, I often felt like I could see how important and complex everything was, but couldn’t quite wrap my head around the full scale of it. I guess that’s kind of the point, though. One week wasn’t enough to understand it all. But it was enough to open my eyes.
There’s a quote that stuck with me: “I don’t study to learn more, but to ignore less.” That’s what this trip gave me, less ignorance, more awareness. More appreciation for the people who care for our parks. More respect for the spaces they protect. And more clarity about how I can contribute, even back home.
This trip didn’t just reinforce how much I love volunteering. It reminded me why I love it. It made me think about what I can do in my own community, whether it’s lending a hand at a local event or supporting someone behind the scenes. Experiences like this don’t come around every day, and they’re not something we can let fade away. We need to keep them going, not just because of what they offer us, but because of what we can offer in return.