Road Scholar : Volunteering at Monument Valley High School: Grades 7

Volunteering at Monument Valley High School: Grades 7 – 12

Program Number:

6272RJ

Start and End Dates:


	3/3/2013 - 3/9/2013;

Duration:

6 nights

Location:

Monument Valley, Utah

Price starting at:

$730.00 - 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

Make a difference in the life of a student as you share your enthusiasm for learning at Monument Valley High School (MVHS), located on the Navajo Reservation in southeastern Utah. Delight in the joys of one-on-one tutoring and working alongside teachers and parents. MVHS serves 200 students and offers a varied curriculum with opportunity for exploration of native culture. Volunteers often return in successive years to continue working with students and teachers because of the friendships and bonds formed.

Highlights

• Learn about Navajo culture, language and contemporary issues during evening presentations.
• Get a personal glimpse into the lives of Navajo students, many of whom journey long distances to reach school each day and often live without basic amenities.
• Gain insight into the challenges faced by a reservation school, including historical perspectives.

Activity Particulars

No previous teaching experience necessary. Minimal walking; elevations of 5,700 feet.

Coordinated by Northern Arizona University.

Monument Valley

Embodying the open spaces of the Great American Southwest, Monument Valley’s vast landscape seems to stretch endlessly in all directions, occasionally interrupted by towering buttes of red and burgundy rock. The few native peoples who live here honor the place by living simply and respecting the natural forces that have shaped the land.

Accommodations
Historic trading post and lodge with unobstructed views of Monument Valley’s fabled monuments from your private patio; indoor swimming pool.

Meals and Lodgings
	Goulding's Lodge
		Monument Valley, UT	6 nights

Goulding's Lodge
	Type:	Lodge
	Description:	The Lodge is just north of the Arizona Border and is adjacent to the Navajo Tribal Park which encompasses the rock formations of Monument Valley.
	Contact info:	Highway 163 Monument Valley, UT 84536 USA phone: 435-727-3231 web: www.gouldings.com
	Room amenities:	Individually controlled heat and AC, free wi-fi, refrigerator, cable TV and DVD, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.
	Facility amenities:	Dining room, heated year-round indoor swimming pool, exercise room with treadmill, exercise bike and weight machine; gift shop, theater, museum, laundromat, carwash and convenience store. 62 rooms.
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Additional nights prior:	Seasonal. Call Goulding's for rates.
	Check in time:	3:00 PM
	Additional nights after:	Seasonal. Call Goulding's for rates.
	Check out time:	10:00 AM

Travel Details
	Start of Program: Lodge lobby, 4:30 - 5:15 PM You will be staying at Goulding's Lodge that night.
	End of Program: Ends after breakfast. Hotel checkout by 10:00 AM. You will be staying at Goulding's Lodge the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Questionnaire for Navajo Youth Education Service Program
	Parking availability: Free parking for the length of the program at Goulding's Lodge.

Transportation

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Monument Valley, UT
	Nearest city or town:	Flagstaff, AZ 170 mi SW.
	Nearest highway:	US 163, US 160 26 mi S.
	Nearest airport:	Flagstaff - commuter; Phoenix, Intl.

	From End of Program
	Location:	Departures
Travel Details
	Monument Valley, UT from Phoenix, AZ or Albuquerque, NM
	Service:	None - Car Required
	Travel Time:	About 6 hours driving from Phoenix or Albuquerque; about 7 hours from Salt Lake City, UT.
		No public transportation is available to Monument Valley - a private or rental car is required. It isn't easy to get to Monument Valley, but your efforts will be well worth it!

Driving Directions
	Albuquerque, NM	Go west on I-40 for 139 miles to Gallup, NM. In Gallup, take US 666 N for 93 miles to Shiprock, NM. In Shiprock, take US 64 W for 96 miles to Kayenta, AZ. (US 64 merges into US 160 just inside the AZ border.) In Kayenta, turn N on US 163 for 24 miles to Goulding's Lodge, just N of the AZ-UT border.
	Denver, CO	Go S on I-25 for 166 miles to to US 160 in Walsenberg, CO. Go W on US 160 for 255 miles to Cortez, CO, where 160 bends south. Stay on 160 for another 39 miles to Teec Nos Pos, AZ, where the highway turns W again. Continue on US 160 W for 73 miles to Kayenta, AZ. In Kayenta, turn N on US 163 for 24 milesto the Utah border and Goulding's Lodge.
	Los Angeles, CA	Go east on I-40 to exit 201 (US 89 - Page) in Flagstaff, AZ. Head N on US 89 for 68 miles to the junction with US 160. Take US 160 E for 90 more miles to Kayenta, AZ. At Kayenta, turn N on US 163 for 24 miles to Goulding's Lodge.
	Phoenix, AZ	From Phoenix, go north on I-17 for 140 miles to junction with 1-40 in Flagstaff, AZ. Go east on I-40 for 6 miles to exit 201 (US 89 - Page).. Head N on US 89 for 68 miles to the junction with US 160. Take US 160 E for 90 more miles to Kayenta AZ. At Kayenta, turn N on US 163 for 24 miles to Goulding's Lodge.
	Salt Lake City, UT	Take I-15 S for 56 miles to Spanish Fork. Turn E on to US 6 for 124 miles through Price UT to I-70 at Green River. Head E on I-70 for 25 miles to Crescent Jct. Turn S onto US 191 at Crescent Jct. Stay on US 191 for 124 mi to Bluff, UT. Take US 163 SW for 41 miles to Goulding's Lodge just N of the UT - AZ border

Elevation Note: 5700 ft elevation. Those with heart or lung concerns should check with 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/Meet the MVHS Principal
(Sunday, March 3)

Afternoon:	On site registration in the lodge lobby from 4:30- 5:15 PM.
Dinner:	Dinner at the Stagecoach restaurant with views of Monument Valley. Choose from an extensive menu with a variety of entrees selections. Soup, salad, beverage and dessert included.
Evening:	Following dinner, meet with the principal. You will be introduced to the school, its history and lay out the plan for volunteering with students during the upcoming school week.

Accommodations:	Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 2:

Meet School Staff and Students/Classroom Assignments
(Monday, March 4)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the Stagecoach Restaurant. Choose from a variety of hot and cold entrees including eggs, omelettes, pancakes, oatmeal, etc. Coffee or tea and juice are included.
Morning:	Depart for school. Meet the teachers and get acquainted with your classroom assignment or work area. Begin working with staff and students.
Lunch:	Lunch with class in cafeteria.
Afternoon:	Continue working with students at school. Shuttle back to Goulding's Lodge. If time permits after school assignments (or some other day this week), drive yourself on the locally dubbed "Forrest Gump Highway" to Mexican Hat to see where Forrest was running with Monument Valley as his spectacular backdrop.
Dinner:	Dinner at the Stagecoach restaurant with views of Monument Valley. Choose from an extensive menu with a variety of entrees selections. Soup, salad, beverage and dessert included.
Evening:	Following dinner, gather with your fellow volunteers to recap the day and your experiences at Monument Valley High School.

Accommodations:	Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Classroom Assignments/Working in the School
(Tuesday, March 5)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the Stagecoach Restaurant. Choose from a variety of hot and cold entrees including eggs, omelettes, pancakes, oatmeal, etc. Coffee or tea and juice are included.
Morning:	Depart for school and continue working on classroom, library or other assignments.
Lunch:	Lunch with students.
Afternoon:	Work with students and staff at school, then shuttle back to Goulding's.
Dinner:	Dinner at the Stagecoach restaurant with views of Monument Valley. Choose from an extensive menu with a variety of entrees selections. Soup, salad, beverage and dessert included.
Evening:	Presentation on Navajo Culture with information on clanship, the Navajo language and the matrilineal system.

Accommodations:	Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Working in the School
(Wednesday, March 6)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the Stagecoach Restaurant. Choose from a variety of hot and cold entrees including eggs, omelettes, pancakes, oatmeal, etc. Coffee or tea and juice are included.
Morning:	Shuttle to school. Work with students and staff as you become more comfortable in your surroundings and with the students and staff.
Lunch:	Lunch with students in the cafeteria.
Afternoon:	Work with students and staff. Shuttle to Goulding's Lodge at end of school day.
Dinner:	Dinner at the Stagecoach restaurant with views of Monument Valley. Choose from an extensive menu with a variety of entrees selections. Soup, salad, beverage and dessert included.
Evening:	Following dinner, enjoy a presentation on some aspect of Navajo culture or art. Or, enjoy a classic John Ford movie filmed in beautiful Monument Valley.

Accommodations:	Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Working in the School
(Thursday, March 7)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the Stagecoach Restaurant. Choose from a variety of hot and cold entrees including eggs, omelettes, pancakes, oatmeal, etc. Coffee or tea and juice are included.
Morning:	Depart for school. Continue your volunteer work with staff and students.
Lunch:	Cafeteria lunch.
Afternoon:	After working with students, shuttle back to Goulding's Lodge.
Dinner:	Dinner at the Stagecoach restaurant with views of Monument Valley. Choose from an extensive menu with a variety of entrees selections. Soup, salad, beverage and dessert included.
Evening:	Enjoy a free evening with new friends.

Accommodations:	Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

Working in the School/Farewells to Students and Staff
(Friday, March 8)

Breakfast:	Breakfast at the Stagecoach Restaurant. Choose from a variety of hot and cold entrees including eggs, omelettes, pancakes, oatmeal, etc. Coffee or tea and juice are included.
Morning:	Depart for school. Work with students and staff.
Lunch:	Lunch in the school cafeteria.
Afternoon:	Work with students and say your good-byes to the school and students. Shuttle to Goulding's. The rest of the afternoon is free for personal exploration or to reflect upon your experiences at Monument Valley High School.
Dinner:	Dinner at the Stagecoach restaurant with views of Monument Valley. Choose from an extensive menu with a variety of entrees selections. Soup, salad, beverage and dessert included.
Evening:	Join with your fellow volunteers and coordinator to talk about the week, exchange emails, and talk about coming back to reunite with students, staff and new friends next year :-) !

Accommodations:	Goulding's Lodge
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Program Farewells
(Saturday, March 9)

Breakfast:

Program ends after breakfast at the lodge. Hotel checkout by 10:00 AM

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
Monument Valley, UT	general Within 2 hours driving time from Monument Valley: The Anasazi Heritage Museum, Dolores, CO; Extensive Sinagua Ruins and spectacular views at Mesa Verde NP, CO; Hovenweep and Canyon of the Ancients National Monuments; Beautifully niched and well preserved pueblo ruins at Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

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.

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 Southwest

Author: Lavender, David

Description: A historical and cultural overview, including discussions of present-day racial, conservation, and economic problems. Easy reading, fascinating history. 364pp

Traveling Indian Arizona

Author: O'Brien, Anne

Description: This empowering guide introduces readers to the Native American communities of Arizona. Traveling Indian Arizona covers the etiquette, present-day culture, traditions, cuisine, and arts of contemporary Arizona Native Americans. With this attractive illustrated book in hand, tourists will be prepared to explore the state's 21 tribal communities. 320pp

Warriors: Navajo Code Talkers

Author: Kawano, Kenji

Description: The American offensive in the Pacific during World War II [was] hampered by the Japanese ability to crack the most secret U.S. Codes. Navajo was virtually unknown outside the reservations, ... and [their] code proved uncrackable. Kenji Kawano's striking photographs capture the quiet dignity of the surviving veterans as they recall their actions --Los Angeles Times 128 pp

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

6 nights accommodations
17 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 3
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Hands-on experiences: 5
Hands-on experiences

Learn by doing in these "hands-on" activities directed by an expert.

Plus these special experiences...

Opportunity to interact one-on-one with students, faculty and staff of Monument Valley High School.
Volunteer with Navajo children in a classroom setting on the country's largest reservation.
Insight into challenges faced by a reservation school including historical perspectives.
Lodging with unobstructed views of iconic Monument Valley and its celebrated monuments from all rooms.

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes