Lone Star Travelers Blog » volunteer

Rainbow Bridge at Lake Powell

joanie7 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:29:42 +0000

“How do I get to Rainbow Bridge?” This was a question we answered many times as volunteers with the National Park Service at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. There are two ways you can get to Rainbow Bridge while you are visiting Lake Powell.

Most people journey the 50 miles up lake to Rainbow Bridge by boat, either your own or a tour boat. If you go on your own be sure you have a map of the lake. You can purchase one at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam. If you wish to go on the tour boat it is an all day trip leaving from the Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell Resort 5 miles north of the dam. It is an approximate 3 hour cruise to Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world. You will have an hour and a half to hike the 2 1/2 mile round trip from the floating dock to view the bridge, an incredible site at 290 feet high with a span of 275 feet. Many Native Americans consider Rainbow Bridge to be sacred and ask that you are respectful and do not approach too closely.
The other way to get to Rainbow Bridge is to follow in the footsteps of the early explorers and hike the 28 mile round trip from the Navajo Mountain Trading Post to Rainbow Bridge. A permit is required from the Navajo Tribe. You must carry food and water for the two day trek out and the two day trek back plus carry out what you pack in. An alternative is to hike out and make arrangements for a ride on the tour boat back to Wahweap Marina. Note: Please see my posts archived in the Glen Canyon section of this blog and visit our website for photos and more suggestions of things to do while you are visiting the Lake Powell area.

Archaeology Volunteer Opportunities

joanie7 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:02:23 +0000

If you would like to volunteer and work with professional archaeologists and historians within the national forests in the United States check out passport in time. This website is maintained by the USDA Forest Service and will state the goal of the program, explain what is required of you, and direct you to a section which posts the opportunities available. You will work with professional archaeologists and historians on various projects in forests throughout the United States. Assignments vary in length of time, acomodations may be be anything from primitive camping to an RV spot in a campground or perhaps a local hotel or motel. In all cases you must get yourself to and from the project.

Volunteer in Texas State Parks

joanie7 — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:38:36 +0000

Get involved with your Texas State Park system and be a volunteer. Most parks use volunteers all or part of the year and love to have dedicated enthusiastic folks join their team. The biggest need is for Park Hosts with their own RV or travel trailer. They will live in the park and support park staff. General duties usually include meeting and greeting visitors, answering questions, perhaps light maintenance (keeping campground clean and possibly restrooms as well) and maybe fee collection. In exchange the park provides a campsite free of charge. These are often among the best campsites in the park. Many of the volunteers are campers who like the park they are staying at so inquire about available openings upcoming for the host position. Often these are arranged a season or even a year in advance. You may also call each individual park you are interested in to inquire about openings. An application will need to be filled out and submitted. (see tips on how to do this effectively in my volunteer blog posts.) A great resource for all state park volunteer opportunites can be found at volunteer.gov go to volunteer links and click on volunteer resources

Medications

joanie7 — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:02:24 +0000

A specific list of current medicines that you take, both prescription and non prescription can prove invaluable in case of an emergency or helpful for a routine Dr. visit while you are away from home. List your prescription medicines first, then over-the-counter medicines, and finally any nutritional supplements that you take. Include the strength, the frequency of dosage and the name and phone number of the Doctor who prescribed the medicine. As a matter of your patient health know the active ingredient. This is what makes the drug work. Keep this with your important documents and keep it up-to-date.

Tip on new contacts

joanie7 — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:00:55 +0000

Buy a pocket sized personal address book just for this volunteer job. You will be meeting many new people and before long will be collecting multiple names and telephone numbers as well as e-mail addresses. Having one book just for this park will help you keep your new friends list organized. When you have moved on, either to another location or back home you will easily be able to search for the information and keep up with correspondence. This book is also where you should record pertinent park information such as the name, phone number and e-mail address of your supervisor, mailing address at the park and other important information such as the contact for park dispatch and or park police. Alternately you can of course create new contact lists using software on your Mac or PC or you may prefer your Blackberry. I find the old fashioned pocket address book easy and convenient.

Documents

joanie7 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:38:53 +0000

You should have certain legal documents with you while you are away from home working at your National Park or other volunteer job. The most important of these is your official valid form of identification. This would be in the form of a current driver’s license, United States passport or official state issued ID. You should have copies of your insurance policies (or policy numbers) including health, life, auto and boat or RV if applicable. Write down contact phone numbers for your bank and other financial institutions as well as your insurance agent. Optional would be a copy of your social security card and birth certificate. Keep all of these documents in a single location secured in a small lock box or heavy duty waterproof zip pouch. Don’t forget your check book. If you will be receiving a stipend often the only form of payment to you is direct deposit into your checking account. And finally an accurate list of computer passwords you personally use on your Mac or PC.

Less Common Ailments to be taken Seriously

Safety

joanie7 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:18:55 +0000

You want to stay safe and the park wants you to stay safe. Most parks have a policy of JUST SAY NO. If at anytime you feel the situation is unsafe or you are being asked to do something that may be unsafe just say STOP and everyone in the group will cease the activity until it has been discussed and any unsafe issues resolved. If you are alone, immediately report the situation to your supervisor. Do not undertake any assignments you do not wish to do. Most importantly never perform any volunteer work unless you have signed a volunteer contract. The signed contract provides Federal protection in case of injury on the job. Work safely and smartly.

The First Aid Kit

joanie7 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:16:58 +0000

You should always travel with one customized for you. First pack into the kit your personal medications and copies of your prescriptions (including eyeglasses) include over the counter pain reliever (tylenol, advil, aspirin) antacid (pepcid, alka seltzer) anti-diarrheal (pepto bismol, imodium) antibiotic cream (neosporin) band aids, gauze, first aid tape, blister treatment (moleskin) alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, scissors and tweezers, thermometer, anti itch (hydrocortisone cream,) saline (sterile eye wash) allergy medicine (your prescription or over the counter such as claritin or benadryl) and over the counter cold medicine. Don’t forget protective gloves (disposable latex) and throw in a roll of duct tape. It improvises just when you are out of other options!

No related posts.

Less Common Ailments to be taken Seriously

joanie7 — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:21:27 +0000

HYPOTHERMIA occurs in it’s first stage when the body temperature drops from 1.8 to 3.6 degrees farenheit. Characterized by shivering, you must raise your core temperature quickly by close body contact with others and sipping warm drinks. Avoid hypothermia by wearing proper clothing. Moisture wicking synthetics in warmer weather and wool in cooler weather are best. Always wear a hat since 40% of heat loss is through the head. FROST BITE may occur in extreme cold conditions. The blood vessels close to the skin will constrict or narrow sending more blood to the heart in an attempt to protect the core. If immediate medical attention is not available immerse the affected area in warm water and seek help as soon as possible. Your focus should be on prevention. Choose wind and waterproof clothing and dress in layers. Hat and gloves are absolutely necessary.

Stay Healthy

joanie7 — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:03:20 +0000

This is especially important when you are away from home. First dump the junk and spend more time on your own meal preparation. The basics of the mediterranean diet are a good place to start. Emphasis on fish, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Less red meat and low in dairy. You are what you eat. For your volunteer career you want to be healthy, energetic, active and strong.