Great Adventure at The Grand Canyon

I, Natalia Vallejo Montoya, participated in the Grand Canyon Service Break this spring break. I went with the TrUE organization with the goal of giving a positive impact on the park, the park rangers, and the visitors. The issue we focused on was the interpretation in the park because the Grand Canyon is visited by a great number of people, and because they are short on staff, our group being able to talk to visitors, guide them, give them directions, and answers their questions was beneficial and necessary to alleviate the line in the visitor’s center. Being able to help others has been a humbling experience because by doing so, I learned that our words and attitudes can help change in a positive way someone’s experience. I also learned how to help without waiting for something in return. This trip to the Grand Canyon was educational, breath-taking, life-changing, joyful, and an opportunity to learn how to work in teams.

The trip was educational because I have learned about wildlife, park management, and how to serve the community well. This is important because to help others, it is necessary to learn all the information, so that when needed, one may be able to give the right facts and answer all questions the visitors have. This made me think about how I hadn’t considered learning about animals and parks before. Prior to this trip, I knew nothing about the difficulties and all the effort it takes to run a park. I wish I understood that earlier because now I value and appreciate their work more. For this reason, I think it is important to learn so that one can be aware of other’s work, acknowledge it, respect it, and take care of it more.

Going to the Grand Canyon was also breath-taking and life-changing. Breath-taking because it was the first time that I saw the Grand Canyon, and that is the word that best describes my reaction. It was incredible to have been able to experience and see one of the most beautiful and places in the world. I was able to reflect, and I was reminded that human beings are so small when compared to how big the world is or just to how big the Grand Canyon is. Furthermore, it was life-changing because I now see community service as a great way to help and put a little seed or do a little part in helping society. This is important because, the more one participates and volunteers to help others, the more positive impact on the community. Volunteering has an impact not only on society but also on the person who does it because it transforms and shapes attitude, education, character, personality, and mindset. It helps develop a better understanding of the issues and how to find the most helpful solutions for the improvement of society.

Overall, this service break was joyful because I got to see other people happy. Seeing the reactions that people had when I helped them truly touched my heart in a way I will never forget. For this reason, I am more motivated to keep participating in volunteering activities and take action to help the world little by little. In addition, I was very happy to have been able to share all the information that was shared with me. I loved helping people, and when they would ask me for my opinion or favorite places to go, it made me happier to think that they may feel and see what I felt and saw when they went to that place I suggested.

Ultimately, I learned to work together with my group. We were in pairs and stayed together for the whole day. Working with someone else helps one to learn more and helps correcting information or facts that may have been misunderstood. We did our best to help visitors have their best experience and we were able to reduce the line on the visitor’s center as well as share information. I am very thankful for this experience because it was a week full of learning, service, and wonderful memories to share with others.

- Natalia Vallejo Montoya