Hike, backpack and get paid for it in AZ!!

Lizard · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Here's another local program. Teens who complete a 40 hours of volunteer work for Phoenix Parks and Recreation are sponsored to go for a weeklong rafting trip on the San Juan river in Utah. I work for a local community mental health agency and have recommended a few kids for this program. Arizona needs more stuff like this.

http://phoenix.gov/PRL/adrecsvc.html

azbackpackr · Posted: 2/5/2008, 8:01 pm Post subject:

Hey, that looks like a good program. We have Apache Rescue Team up here on the mtn., training kids in wilderness medicine, tech rescue, etc. I've been involved in that for years.

My son is going out again to the wilderness tomorrow for 8 days with the Anasazi group--I just talked to him a minute ago. He's excited, loves being out there. He's still in the training phase--I guess that takes over a month. This will be the third time going out backpacking, though.
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azbackpackr

azbackpackr · Posted: 2/15/2008, 2:48 pm Post subject:

This job sounds so awesome--my son has completed the training and was offered a permanent job today. He really loves being out there--they go somewhere different all the time, and loves working with the teens. He is uniquely suited to the work, also.
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azbackpackr

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3247 Location: Chandler, AZ

Great news Smile

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azbackpackr · Posted: 2/16/2008, 4:25 am Post subject:

Thank you! It's been a great week for Mom. My other son, the Marine, (now there's a job where you can hike and backpack and get paid for it, right? Smile

) just got promoted to Staff Sgt. I'm all puffed up with pride this week!
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azbackpackr

IGO · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas

Cool for you sister!
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azbackpackr · Posted: 2/17/2008, 9:19 am Post subject:

Puff puff!
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azbackpackr

rayhiker · Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 86

azbackpackr -- I'm curious -- how did the Anasazi job turn out for your son? 15 years ago I wanted to do it for a summer but things didn't work out... I have many friends who have been Anasazi staff -- they all praised the program. The work is hard though and I'm sure you can't stick with it forever. They tend to work one week in the field with the kids then take one week off I think.

azbackpackr · Posted: 12/2/2008, 6:03 pm Post subject:

My son took a break to go work for a hunting guide outfitter in Utah and Idaho from August to September, but recently started back at Anasazi. He often works in the field for more than one week, however, as sometimes they are shorthanded and he just loves being out there. (He even goes camping with friends on his days off sometimes!) But it's true that the general shift is 8 days on and 6 days off. Each group of kids is out there for 42 days, at least on some of the programs. So the crew take turns hiking with them. They don't hike far, and the gear they use is most unusual, not being standard backpacking gear, but more of a large bundle!

From mid-June to the end of July he worked every shift, returning for only one night in town per week, if that.

My son loves that job very much! I don't think he has spent very much more than a month's worth of nights sleeping under a roof since Feb.
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azbackpackr