Jasmine Davis
Education Abroad
For my step signature project, I decided to partner with Buck-I-Serv and the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC). I was able to go on a bucket list trip to the Grand Canyon. We flew into Phoneix, AZ and then spent three days volunteering and at a Native American historical park. We then traveled to Flagstaff, AZ and began our descent down into the rim of the Canyon where we camped in for two days. Then to conclude the trip we packed on into thirteen feet river boats and traveled sixty miles down the Colorado River. Oh did I mention all of this took place during spring break!
Before embarking on this journey I did not have a strong appreciation for nature. I loved doing outdoor activities but I did not realize the impact that it may have had on nature. One of the biggest lessons that the team from the OAC taught was the idea of “Leave No Trace”(LNT). This meant leaving the areas that we visited in better condition than we found it. Practically this meant that we picked up every food crumb after eating, we packed our garbage out and we even dug cat holes. This idea even included noise pollution, which meant speaking quieter at night and making sure to eliminate unnecessary noise. Since returning from the trip I have still continued to participate in LNT in hopes of making the Ohio State campus experience enjoyable for everyone.
The first activity that we participated in took place at the Palatki historical site. The historic site was maintained and ran by volunteer national park rangers. The rangers lived on the historic site and helped run tours around the ancient area. They also maintained the visitor center and the site to ensure that for years to come others would be able to come and visit and see how the Palatki people lived. The tour guide, Bill, made sure to inform us that those that were native to this land were able to come back to the historic site at any time. And that could request to have the site for a certain time to perform certain rituals.
While at the Palatki site, my team and I were responsible for restoring a trail that the thousands of visitors that come to the site annually walk on. None of us had experience in building trails but with the help of our group leader Eric we quickly learned and began to follow along. The task was very energy consuming as we had to carry large barrels of rocks over a half a mile to the trial. We also had to use large tamps in order to pack the gravel in and ensure that it would not erode with water. But my time in I took the challenge with grace and used songs and games to make the time enjoyable and go by faster. In fact, we were able to work so fast and efficiently as a team the the Palataki historic site that we were volunteering at ran out of work for our team to complete within two days of our arrival. The initial plan was that we would stay there three days and volunteer but on the third day, we took our services to a local food bank.
The local Arizona food bank was both surprised and excited to have our team of twelve to help them. The food bank services a part of the Phoneix area in which has been reported that over 90% of the children live in food insecurity. While at the food bank we packed food that would go out to the local elementary schools. We helped sanitize and clean the large refrigerators that stored the food. We also helped paint the front of the store room to give the non-profit better curb appeal. The team of five women working at the food bank was so appreciative of our help as they would never have enough man power to complete a task of that size. The quickly also ran out of work for our team to do but we’re really grateful for all that we did for the organization. It was amazing the difference and the joy that we were able to bring to their jobs in the course of a short few hours.
This trip was transformational to my life as it showed me that there is more to life than just money and the obtaining a better future. But there is the past and a present and they too must be protected and enjoyed. College is great but it is easy to forget where you have come from and even enjoy the moment that I am currently in. My future plans are to become a Biological Engineer. This is a career that is engulfed in a lot of technology and forward thinking. In the midst of that, I must remain grounded. I must realize the impact that the decisions that I will make will have not only on the future but on the present. I will try to preserve the culture and history that is ingrained in so many things in the city and even in nature.
