American History Restoration Gap Program – Arizona Fire circuit

American History Restoration Gap Program – Arizona Fire circuit

Why choose this American History Restoration Gap Program – Arizona Fire circuit?

• Open your horizons by learning new skills around restoration and preserving historical sites.
• Experience the great American outdoors while contributing to doing something good and feel empowered!
• Make new friends, all while being part of an American conservation project!

Travel during COVID times

Given the special global circumstances and to ensure the safety of participants and local community members, this program has been developed with great consideration.
This Arizona American History Restoration Gap Program offers 4-weeks within the United States as part of a small group. Note that you might be required to take a PCR-test before joining the program. Our advisors are here to assist you with any pre-departure requirements.

The Program for American History Restoration Gap Program – Arizona Fire Circuit

The goal of the program is to familiarize yourself with the historical significance of the area while working on preservation initiatives led by a local historical preservation organization. Through the experience, you will learn preservation and manual labor skills while working on saving historic places that have fallen into despair. This important work is vital to preserving America’s historical and cultural resources for the generations to come.

The first two weeks of the Arizona American History Restoration Gap Program will be spent at the Mormon Lake Guard Station in the Coconino National Forest. Known as one of the most diverse National Forests in the country, it is also home to fire managers and wildland firefighters. As a group, we are sure to be in for a treat as we spend time in nature at Mormon Lake with the famous red rocks of Sedona and Ponderosa pine forests, alpine tundra and southwestern desert. Our group will be involved in the renovation work of 2 historic cabins that have been used by local forest rangers and fire crews when needed. Work may range from roofing, flooring, painting and insulation amongst other construction-related activities. 

The second two weeks of the Arizona American History Restoration Gap Program will be spent at the Buck Mountain Fire Lookout Tower in the Coconino National Forest. The location is an iconic structure in the history of fire management and the views are spectacular! Our work will consist mainly of repairing and replacing stair treads and landings, minor foundation work, rehabilitating and repainting.

Each weekend, our group will take part in exploring the areas. Activities include:

• A weekend in Flagstaff including a haunted walking tour, visiting Lowell observatory, a hike up the Walnut Canyon, exploring the Lava River Cave and a fun, extreme-adventure rope course.
• An off-road trail jeep tour of the Mogollon Rim at the edge of the Colorado Plateau
• A cultural  activity learning about one of the oldest indigenous cultures in North America 
• Touring the spectacular Grand Canyon including the Sunset Crater, Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, Cameron Trading Post to learn about Arizona’s Native American tribes and natural history and the Grand Canyon lookout points on South Rim. 
• 1-day Rafting the horseshoe bend from Grand Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry.

The Schedule for American History Restoration Gap Program – Arizona Fire Circuit

May 23: fly into Flagstaff and meet your crew leader and other participants to drive to project site (30-40 minutes south) where you will set up camp.
May 24-28: Project work.
May 28 (half day) – May 30: weekend of fun activities in and around Flagstaff.
May 31 – June 4: Project work.
June 4 (half day) – June 6: time off spent in and around Sedona and travel to next project.
June 6: Arrive at camp and settle down.
June 7-11: Project Work.
June 11 (half day) – June 13: time off spent doing Grand Canyon activities.
June 13: return to camp to spend the night and be ready to get to work in the morning.
June 14-18: Project Work.
June 18: Drive to Flagstaff and fly home the next day.

What skills do I need to be a Volunteer on this American History Restoration Gap Program – Arizona Fire circuit?

No specific skills are required for this project. All manual work involved in the program will be taught to you on-site by the project directors. A reasonable level of fitness is required to partake in manual labor, hikes and other activities. Also note that depending on your network provider, cell phone reception at the project camps might a challenge, especially the last couple of week of the project, so be ready for some time connecting with nature instead of social media!

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