Volunteering: Navajo Nation Schools

Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. This is a Road Scholar Service Learning program. These short-term experiences engage participants in volunteer projects to benefit the common good. Projects utilize the skills and energy of participants to meet demonstrated needs of the local and/or broader community. In addition to a significant amount of time in the specified Service Learning project and activities, participants will learn about relevant aspects of local history, culture, nature, etc., within the available time and as appropriate to the themes and settings.

At the hotel restaurant, we’ll have plated meals with salad, a choice of entrées from a variety of American, Mexican, and local favorites, plus dessert and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase; no alcohol sales on the reservation. The restaurant is decorated with beautiful Navajo rugs, baskets, Tiffany glass cabinets, and pottery and has an antique pressed-tin ceiling.

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Minimal walking during program. Depending on your volunteer assignment, you may need to bend down to speak with children, sit in smaller chairs, or even get up and down from the floor. You will be moving around during the day and may be asked to move boxes or books, climb a step-stool to create or work on a bulletin board, and the like. Dress comfortably in clothes you can move in easily. Slacks, khakis, and nice jeans are recommended for all. Daily transfers to our assigned school – about 5 - 30 miles one way, approximately 1 hour roundtrip depending on location – will be by university passenger van. You may need to step up and into the smaller van using a provided step-stool. Please be sure to speak with the Group Leader if you have questions about your school assignment. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

In the hotel restaurant, we’ll order plated meals from a select menu with choices such as eggs, breakfast meats, oatmeal, waffles, and toast, plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

We’ll board the van shuttle and ride to the school through the beautiful Painted Desert portion of the Navajo Nation. First, we’ll meet with the principal for an orientation to the school, its history and its students while we also learn about the unique activities and challenges for each individual classroom. Then, after receiving classroom assignments, we’ll work with teachers and students until lunch. Group assignments vary and may include work in the library, putting up a bulletin board, or other school needs.

Along with the students at school, we will eat school provided lunches.

We’ll work for the remainder of the school day on our assignments. Afterwards, we’ll meet with staff in the school library to discuss the week ahead and have an opportunity to field any questions. After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon will be free.

Hotel plated meal.

In a meeting room at our accommodations, we’ll be joined by an expert staff member who will give a presentation on the many Native American art and craft traditions represented in this area.

Hotel plated meal.

We’ll travel to the school for a second day of service learning, volunteering our time and talent to assist staff and students at the Navajo school. The history of the Navajo people is ancient, rich, complex, and a story of overcoming great odds since European colonization and American migration. Anthropologists believe the Navajo (Diné) followed archaic hunter gatherers who themselves followed Ice-Age Paleo-Indian hunters from thousands of years earlier. The Navajo Nation is larger than the state of West Virginia and comprises more than 27,000 miles in the Four Corners states of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.

Along with the students at school, we will eat school provided lunches.

We’ll continue our volunteer assignments until the close of school for the day.

Hotel plated meal.

In a meeting room at the Trading Post, hear from Navajo community members about some of the social issues and challenges facing those living on the reservation.

Hotel plated meal.

We’ll transfer to the school for another morning of volunteer assignments.

Along with the students at school, we will eat school provided lunches.

We’ll continue our volunteer assignments until the close of school for the day, then return to the hotel where the remainder of the afternoon will be free to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Hotel plated meal.

At leisure.

Hotel plated meal.

We’ll transfer to the school for a morning of volunteer assignments. Education can make a critical difference for kids growing up on the reservation. Road Scholar and Northern Arizona University have been providing volunteers in classrooms on the Navajo Nation since the 1990s.

Along with the students at school, we will eat school provided lunches.

We’ll continue our volunteer work in the classroom until the close of school for the day, then return to the hotel.

Hotel plated meal.

In the hotel meeting room we’ll attend a presentation on Navajo culture given by a long-time presenter and well-known Navajo entertainer.

Hotel plated meal.

We’ll transfer to the school for our last morning of volunteer assignments. The Navajo Nation has its own Department of Diné Education that promotes and fosters lifelong learning for the Navajo People, with nearly a dozen active programs including those to promote resilient, healthy generations of youth to find balance and live in a diverse society. These programs as well as our volunteer service contribute to helping students develop positive attitudes, enhancing their self-image, confidence, and maturity.

Along with the students at school, we will eat school provided lunches.

We’ll continue our volunteer assignments then say our farewells to the students, teachers, and staff we’ve assisted. Once the school day is over following lunch, our Group Leader will transport us several blocks by van to where she will orient us to Tuba City’s weekly 'Swap Meet' for an opportunity to try local food, peruse indigenous crafts, and mingle with community members. We’ll have time to wander around independently before returning to the hotel. We’ll return to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Hotel plated meal. Share some of your favorite experiences of the program with new Road Scholar friends and fellow volunteers.

We’ll have a final session with our Group Leader with an opportunity to discuss the week’s activities and accomplishments in service to the school and its students. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Hotel plated meal. Ahéhee'! Thank you! Yá'át'ééh! See you later! This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!