Grand Canyon Youth

There are many ways in which to measure a successful season working with youth on the rivers and in the canyons of the Colorado Plateau. Perhaps it is the phenomenal guides who share their wisdom and enthusiasm about a place while helping youth discover new things about themselves. Or it could be the youth who bring these same guides to tears with laughter and gratefulness. It could be the youth sharing a geology presentation with other youth, learning leave-no-trace principles, or just feeling the freedom to be silly.
In June, participants on the Native American Youth Artist Trip spent seven days with artists Shonto Begay and Raechel Running, painting, drawing, and playing on the San Juan River. Each student received art supplies and a journal to take with them. At the end of the trip these journals revealed drawings of rock art, yucca and portraits of new friends.
This year’s Grand Canyon trip hosted students from four different states and four high schools in Flagstaff. By the end of the trip, several participants wanted to become boatmen. One, who had just graduated from high school, got an AzRA assistant slot after returning from the Grand Canyon Youth trip. The following was submitted by Whitney Roberts, who will be a senior this fall at Flagstaff High School and was a participant on the lower half of Grand Canyon Youth’s June trip.
“Grand Canyon Youth made it possible for me to experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. Our small trip was led down the Colorado River to some of the rarest and most astonishing views not only in the Grand Canyon, but in Arizona. It was uncommon to find our group at ease. The only time you would see us resting was when we were catching our breath or preparing for our next adventure. We hiked, climbed, swam, explored and rafted through rapids that required our team effort.

Making friends was not a problem. We became a team at once, going through rapids soon after we put in. Team work was also needed for inspiring each other on hikes, as we pushed each other to reach the next water hole or breathtaking hanging garden. We grew to treat one another as a family while we set up and ran camp. Trust came fast, too. Whether it was saving someone that had been tossed overboard into the river or knowing that everyone in the paddle boat was willing to accomplish the next command on the paddle boat, we grew as individuals. Memories were created for me that will last a lifetime: swimming, cliff jumping and seeing more waterfalls then I thought could exist in one canyon. Grand Canyon Youth gave our group the opportunity to get outdoors, meet new people and see sights only accessible by raft. I recommend anyone and everyone to get involved in the Grand Canyon Youth program. You will not regret it.”
As always, Grand Canyon Youth is indebted to all of the wonderful folks who make our programs amazing. A special thank you to Martha Clark, Thad Stewart, Kristen Huisinga, Tom Carter, Russell Baker, Robert Conley, Cindy Jalet, Darren Carboni, Shonto Begay, Raechel Running, Cynthia Billings, Patrick Conley, Jacob Fillion, Don Keller, Adventure Discovery, and to Fritz, for continually being the glue that holds it all together.
Grand Canyon Youth is in the process of planning our 2004 season. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Please contact Grand Canyon Youth P.O. Box 23376 Flagstaff, az 86002, (928)773-7921 or info@gcyouth.org if you have questions.

Emma Wharton