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Volunteering: Navajo Nation Schools

Program Number: 6262RJ
Start and End Dates:
10/13/2013 - 10/19/2013; 10/20/2013 - 10/26/2013; 10/27/2013 - 11/2/2013; 11/3/2013 - 11/9/2013;
Duration: 6 nights
Location: Cameron, Arizona
Price starting at: $695.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Service Learning; Native American Studies
Meals: 17; 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Assist the school children and teaching staff in Navajo Reservation schools, where many students and their families live without basic amenities, burning wood for warmth, hauling water and using generators for electricity and lighting. Participants of all backgrounds are welcome to these rural schools where we have been providing volunteers in classrooms since 1998. The only requirement is a flexible and adaptable nature.




Highlights

• Explore the rewards of helping students, interacting with parents and working alongside teachers.
• Enjoy a field trip to a traditional Navajo Hogan.
• Evening programs on Navajo culture provide additional insight.



Weeks split among various Navajo Nation Schools in Cameron and Tuba City. Grades K-8, depending on week/school chosen. All school volunteers at Gray Mountain and Eagle’s Nest are required to obtain a fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS). An Identity Verified Prints (IVP) packet will be sent by the provider to the participant for completion. Estimated additional cost to participant is $75 to $85, including IVP processing fee, cost of money order/cashier’s check and local fingerprinting charges. Participant must bring valid fingerprint clearance card to the school in order to volunteer. Application processing takes minimum of eight weeks.




Date Specific Information

10-13-2013

Program takes place at Tuba City Boarding School (Grades 7-8). No fingerprint clearance card required. Monday, 10/14, is a school holiday so the visit to the Navajo hogan and other cultural-based educational activities will take place on this day. Participants will work in the school Tuesday-Friday.



10-20-2013

Program takes place at Gray Mountain Elementary School (K-6). Fingerprint clearance card required. See note above.



10-27-2013

Program takes place at Eagle's Nest Intermediate School, grades 4-6. Fingerprint clearance card required. See note above.



11-3-2013

Program takes place at Tuba City Boarding School (Grades 7-8).



Coordinated by Northern Arizona University.




Cameron

Named after Ralph Cameron, a U.S. senator who owned several copper mines, the town sits 80 miles south of Page in the Painted Desert and is on the Navajo Indian Reservation. To reach his mines, the senator created the Bright Angel Trail in 1899, which has since become one of the most popular hiking trails on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Accommodations
Historic Trading Post and Lodge on the banks of the Little Colorado River. Sandstone courtyard gardens designed and planted in the 1930s; antique Native American art gallery. Easy driving access to Grand Canyon South Rim.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Rosie Horsen
Rosie Horsen is full-blooded Navajo and grew up on the reservation, the oldest of eight children, in Gray Mountain, Ariz. She attended Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools from the age of seven through high school in both Tuba City and in Phoenix. She resides in Cameron on the southwestern corner of the Navajo reservation, in view of the San Francisco Peaks. She has been coordinating tutoring service programs in reservation schools since 1997.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Cameron Inn
  Cameron, AZ 6 nights
 Cameron Inn
Type: Motel
  Description: Adjacent to the Cameron Trading Post, the Inn is in the hub of activity for the western Navajo Reservation. It features an operating trading post with Native American arts and crafts work areas.
  Contact info: US Highway 89
Cameron, AZ 86020 USA
phone: 800-338-7385 x9286792350
  Room amenities: Satellite remote control TV, individually controlled AC/heat, phone, clock radio.
  Facility amenities: On site restaurant, convenience store, gas station, ATM.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Seasonal. Contact the Cameron Inn for the rates applicable to your stay.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Seasonal. Contact the Cameron Inn for the rates applicable to your stay.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Lodge lobby, between 4:30-5:15 PM. You will be staying at Cameron Inn that night.
  End of Program:
After breakfast, 8:00 AM. Due to the limited shuttle access to this location, please check shuttle schedules prior to purchasing plane tickets. You will be staying at Cameron Inn the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. no
  Parking availability:
Free parking for the length of program at Cameron Lodge.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Cameron, AZ
  Nearest city or town:  Flagstaff, AZ, 53 mi S
  Nearest highway: US 89
  Nearest airport:  Commuter: Flagstaff, AZ; Intl, Phoenix, AZ
  From End of Program
  Location: Cameron, AZ
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Cameron, AZ to/from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Van Go Shuttle
phone: 866-448-2646
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Estimated $75
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

3.5 
 

Distance:

 

210 miles
   

Van Go Shuttle works exclusively with these programs and plans shuttles to arrive in conjunction with program start/end times. Shuttle picks up from all terminals. Before program, arrive at Phoenix airport by 11:30 AM. After program, return shuttle arrives at Phoenix airport approximately 2:30 PM. Book airline departures after 4:15 PM. Call shuttle company PRIOR to booking other travel for ease of transfers.
 

Flagstaff to Cameron and return

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Van Go Shuttle
phone: 866-448-2646
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$40 approx.
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
   

Van Go works exclusively with Road Scholar programs and times shuttles to arrive in conjunction with program start/end times. Shuttle will pick people up on first day of program from Flagstaff train station/shuttle station at 2:45PM. If you have questions, call shuttle company PRIOR to booking other travel to aid in ease of transfers. Return shuttle departs immediately upon conclusion of program with arrival to Flagstaff approximately 9:15 AM
 
Driving Directions
  Cameron Trading Post & Lodge from I-40 Take I-40 to Flagstaff. In East Flagstaff, take exit 201, Page, AZ, US 89 N. Stay on 89 N for 53 miles to Cameron, AZ. Cameron Trading Post and Lodge is on your left on the banks of the Little Colorado River Canyon.
  Cameron Trading Post from Phoenix I-17 I-17 begins in Phoenix. N on I-17 to junction with I-40 exit 340 E, Albuquerque. Stay on I-40 E for a short 6 miles to exit 201, US 89 N to Page, AZ. Stay on 89 N for 53 miles to Cameron, AZ. Cameron Trading Post and Lodge is on your left on the banks of the Little Colorado River canyon.
Elevation Note: 4200 feet. Those with heart or lung conditions should check with their physician before attending.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Registration/Introductions & Overview
(Sunday, October 27)
   
 Arrive To: After on-site registration between 4:30-5:15 p.m.
 Dinner: Each night you'll choose from two entrees at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. During the week you may be selecting from entrees including Navajo taco, chicken florentine, chef's salad, beef stew and more. A salad and dessert are included every evening. The restaurant is decorated with beautiful Navajo rugs, baskets, Tiffany glass cabinets and pottery and has an antique pressed tin ceiling.
 Evening: After dinner, hear about the program in more detail during orientation, then meet your fellow school volunteers during introductions.
   
Accommodations: Cameron Inn
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Meet School Staff and Students
(Monday, October 28)
   
 Breakfast: Choose from a number of breakfast selections at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. Eggs, oatmeal, waffles, toast and bacon are among the choices. Coffee or tea and juice included.
 Morning: After breakfast, depart for the school and meet with the principal for an orientation. Receive classroom assignments and work with teachers and students until lunch.
 Lunch: Enjoy lave lunch with the children in the school cafeteria.
 Afternoon: After lunch, work in the classroom until meeting with the staff in the school library. Return to the Inn after the school day.
 Dinner: Each night you'll choose from two entrees at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. During the week you may be selecting from entrees including Navajo taco, chicken florentine, chef's salad, beef stew and more. A salad and dessert are included every evening. The restaurant is decorated with beautiful Navajo rugs, baskets, Tiffany glass cabinets and pottery and has an antique pressed tin ceiling.
 Evening: After dinner, take in an arts and crafts demonstration or other program about Navajo culture.
   
Accommodations: Cameron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Classroom Work
(Tuesday, October 29)
   
 Breakfast: Choose from a number of breakfast selections at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. Eggs, oatmeal, waffles, toast and bacon are among the choices. Coffee or tea and juice included.
 Morning: After breakfast in the restaurant, enjoy a van shuttle through the beautiful painted desert portion of the Navajo Nation en route to school. Classroom work through the morning.
 Lunch: Lunch with the children in the school cafeteria.
 Afternoon: After lunch, work in the classroom until the close of school for the day.
 Dinner: Each night you'll choose from two entrees at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. During the week you may be selecting from entrees including Navajo taco, chicken florentine, chef's salad, beef stew and more. A salad and dessert are included every evening.
 Evening: After dinner, a free evening.
   
Accommodations: Cameron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Working with the Students/Navajo Hogan/Evening Presentation on Navajo Culture
(Wednesday, October 30)
   
 Breakfast: Choose from a number of breakfast selections at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. Eggs, oatmeal, waffles, toast and bacon are among the choices. Coffee or tea and juice included.
 Morning: After breakfast, travel to school for a morning of classroom work.
 Lunch: Lunch with the students in the school cafeteria.
 Afternoon: After lunch, work in the classroom until 2:30 p.m. Board a van for a trip to a traditional Navajo hogan. Experience the hogan while learning about its cultural significance, then return to Cameron Inn.
 Dinner: Each night you'll choose from two entrees at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. During the week you may be selecting from entrees including Navajo taco, chicken florentine, chef's salad, beef stew and more. A salad and dessert are included every evening.
 Evening: After dinner, enjoy a presentation by a Navajo tribal member, "Growing Up Navajo," or another topic pertinent to Navajo culture.
   
Accommodations: Cameron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Classroom Work
(Thursday, October 31)
   
 Breakfast: Choose from a number of breakfast selections at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. Eggs, oatmeal, waffles, toast and bacon are among the choices. Coffee or tea and juice included.
 Morning: After breakfast, depart for school and classroom work until lunchtime.
 Lunch: Lunch with the students in the school cafeteria.
 Afternoon: After lunch, work in the classroom until the close of school for the day. Return to the Inn.
 Dinner: Each night you'll choose from two entrees at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. During the week you may be selecting from entrees including Navajo taco, chicken florentine, chef's salad, beef stew and more. A salad and dessert are included every evening.
 Evening: Free evening.
   
Accommodations: Cameron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Classroom Work/Entertainment By Local Performer
(Friday, November 1)
   
 Breakfast: Choose from a number of breakfast selections at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. Eggs, oatmeal, waffles, toast and bacon are among the choices. Coffee or tea and juice included.
 Morning: After breakfast, travel to school for the morning's work in the classroom.
 Lunch: Lunch with the children in the school cafeteria.
 Afternoon: After lunch, work in the classroom. Say your farewells to staff, teachers and students. Travel back to Cameron.
 Dinner: Each night you'll choose from two entrees at the Cameron Inn Restaurant. During the week you may be selecting from entrees including Navajo taco, chicken florentine, chef's salad, beef stew and more. A salad and dessert are included every evening.
 Evening: Enjoy an evening of entertainment by a local Navajo performer, followed by a program wrap-up and farewells.
   
Accommodations: Cameron Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Departure
(Saturday, November 2)
   
 Breakfast: Program ends after breakfast at the inn.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Cameron, AZ General Overview
Within 2 hours of Cameron: Sinagua ruins at Wupatki National Monument & Walnut Canyon National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, Sunset Crater National Monument, Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area, Lowell Observatory, Museum of Northern Arizona, Northern Arizona University. For additional information, visit www.nau.edu/Road Scholar
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Dine Bahane: The Navajo Creation Story


Author: Zolbrod, Paul G


Description: This is the most complete version of the Navajo creation story to appear in English since Washington Matthews' Navajo Legends of 1847. Zolbrod's new translation renders the power and delicacy of the oral storytelling performance on the page through a poetic idiom appropriate to the Navajo oral tradition. Zolbrod's book offers the general reader a vivid introduction to Navajo culture. For students of literature this book proposes a new way of looking at our literary heritage.



Diné: A History of the Navajos


Author: Iverson, Peter; Roessel, Monty


Description: This comprehensive narrative traces the history of the Navajos from their origins to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Based on extensive archival research, traditional accounts, interviews, historic and contemporary photographs, and firsthand observation, it provides a detailed, up-to-date portrait of the Diné past and present that will be essential for scholars, students, and interested general readers, both Navajo and non-Navajo.



Native Roads : The Complete Motoring Guide to the Navajo and Hopi Nations


Author: Kosik, Frank


Description: Using the mile markers of the US, Arizona, and Navajo highways and routes running through the Navajo and Hopi nations as her organizing principle, the author offers a travel guide to the sites found in the area. Natural, historical, and cultural points of interest are covered, along with some information on lodging and services. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR 304pp



The Fourth World of the Hopis: The Epic Story of the Hopi Indians As Preserved in Their Legends and Traditions


Author: Courlander, Harold


Description: Folklorist Courlander traces Hopi legends from the tribe’s search through the wilderness for its home location to its settling on the Hopi Mesas and development thereafter. 239pp





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