From Daniel Herrera, Crew 11:
Yesterday we did a "complement circle" where I learned how to give and receive complements. I also learned more about my role in the group through this exercise. We have been working on the Big Arsenic River Trail at Wild Rivers Recreation Area. We are making the trail better and safer for hikers. Some challenges we've faced in the last week included having the Taos crew come work with us. We had to learn how to work with people we didn't know while showing them the basics of trail maintenance. We also had to deal with very unpredictable weather. I am really excited to finish our work and graduate from the 10-week program next week!
From Michael Mundy-Passmore, Crew 12:
The skills I have developed during my time as a crew member for YCC are how to communicate my ideas without begin confrontational, and how to depend on other for help- I don't have to work alone even if the job is simple. The crew has been doing a great job working together. We all know what needs to be done, and if we disagree on how it should be done then we discuss it. We reason until we can find common ground.
Recently we finished a sand volleyball court. We did a great job on it. Even though the work was hard and the weather hot, we kept a good attitude through the whole process. The crew has worked really quickly and very hard, plus the good attitudes help every hour of work go by faster. It also helps us finish projects a lot sooner than expected. The biggest issue the crew has had to deal with is difference ideas of how to do a specific thing. Although we discuss it, it takes time and sometimes puts everyone at each others throats, but we always make it work. I can't wait to see how all of our projects look after we have completed them!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Crew 12-Taos Crew by Mia Anglada
Before I joined Rocky Mountain Youth Corps I noticed that I wasn't doing much to feel proud of myself. Oh, I knew I had to make a change. My life is improving and I can feel a change. Last year was a tought year for me and I;d like to make up for how everything then had an impact now. I was so uncomfortable with my body and I was so deressed and confused.
As I reflect on the days I've been here I've seen such a huge improvement in my behavior, work ehtic, communication and my body. I actually am comfortable with the way I look now and that's something I would not have been able to say if it weren't for RMYC.
My crew is a very hard working crew and we are making a difference. To be honest I feel lik I'm not very smart. But when I'm with the crew all of the intelligence rubs off on me and there is so much that I've learned from the crew and I;m so grateful.
Starting during our second interview I saw all the great opportunities to give back and start making progress in life. They actually take time to help each and every individual. In the mornings we all gather together and try our best as one to push ourselves at PT. We have cleaned so many tons of trash so our Mother Earth could become the beautiful creation she once was.
As I reflect on the days I've been here I've seen such a huge improvement in my behavior, work ehtic, communication and my body. I actually am comfortable with the way I look now and that's something I would not have been able to say if it weren't for RMYC.
My crew is a very hard working crew and we are making a difference. To be honest I feel lik I'm not very smart. But when I'm with the crew all of the intelligence rubs off on me and there is so much that I've learned from the crew and I;m so grateful.
Starting during our second interview I saw all the great opportunities to give back and start making progress in life. They actually take time to help each and every individual. In the mornings we all gather together and try our best as one to push ourselves at PT. We have cleaned so many tons of trash so our Mother Earth could become the beautiful creation she once was.
Questa YCC Crew 7/1/2010
In the last 2 weeks I have seen myself improve in my communication skills. I have saved three hundred dollars from my past two checks, many other skills I learned are being able to use tools properly.
So far this summer we have been working on the hiking trails , bettering it for the community as well as ourselves. We cleaned out an area for the BLM, this area will be used for a concert benefit. The trails we work on benefit the beautiful scenerty we have and attracts fore people.
My crew has faced gnats, rocks falling, and the heat. We finally found a bug spray that repels that gnats. The rocks are gonna fall, so we have done our best of keeping an eye on them. In order to not be too affected by the heat we drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen. We are a pretty tough crew, we help each other through everything.
The next two weeks should be really exciting being that we should be down lower on the trail, hopefully we will be at the springs. I plan on getting more leadership skills in showing people who and what RMYC does.
So far this summer we have been working on the hiking trails , bettering it for the community as well as ourselves. We cleaned out an area for the BLM, this area will be used for a concert benefit. The trails we work on benefit the beautiful scenerty we have and attracts fore people.
My crew has faced gnats, rocks falling, and the heat. We finally found a bug spray that repels that gnats. The rocks are gonna fall, so we have done our best of keeping an eye on them. In order to not be too affected by the heat we drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen. We are a pretty tough crew, we help each other through everything.
The next two weeks should be really exciting being that we should be down lower on the trail, hopefully we will be at the springs. I plan on getting more leadership skills in showing people who and what RMYC does.
Taos Youth Conservation Crew Blog
For the most part my goals have been accomplished. Communication with the crew has definitely improved. Also my strength has been growing. Most of our projects involve picking up other people's trash and cleaning up river sites. Cleaning up illegal dump-sites had a major impact not only on people but also on the crew. Some of the challenges are beginning an area of trash. I've noticed that it's hard for us to get started picking up trash. But once we do the day moves faster than Speedy Gonzales. Really looking forward to Gusdorf Park because when we went to check it out it was completely dead. Hopefully we can bring it back to life when we're done.
As the day starts it's hard to start the work. But as people stroll by and say "thank you," or "it looks nice," the inspiration comes along without being asked to. Our arms and legs get too tired to continue the clean up. We ask for a break as Lisa goes on like if there was no tomorrow. 22 legs and arms are being burned to make a difference in the community. As for us, we just keep going, going, although some may yell at us, others will make food for us and thank us. Personally, I think we are not just making a difference, we are showing those who complain about illegal trash that it just takes a few hours and a few days to make the site look like nature again. As our journey continues with planting trees and rebuilding a park we have learned responsibility and taking charge of some of the issues of dump sites. Who are we? We are Crew 12, Taos Crew from Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. And yes, we do make a difference all around the county. -Irma Bernal
As the day starts it's hard to start the work. But as people stroll by and say "thank you," or "it looks nice," the inspiration comes along without being asked to. Our arms and legs get too tired to continue the clean up. We ask for a break as Lisa goes on like if there was no tomorrow. 22 legs and arms are being burned to make a difference in the community. As for us, we just keep going, going, although some may yell at us, others will make food for us and thank us. Personally, I think we are not just making a difference, we are showing those who complain about illegal trash that it just takes a few hours and a few days to make the site look like nature again. As our journey continues with planting trees and rebuilding a park we have learned responsibility and taking charge of some of the issues of dump sites. Who are we? We are Crew 12, Taos Crew from Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. And yes, we do make a difference all around the county. -Irma Bernal
Monday, July 19, 2010
Questa Crew 7/19/2010
We have started working together better as a team and we use our tools in the right way. We work on trails moving rock, digging water bars, and cleaning trash. The challenges we have faced include learning how to build a rock wall. We're excited for the river!! Hoping for rain and clouds, it was too hot!
El Rito Crew Blog
7/12/2010
Today we started by exercising. Then we left the job site with the other crew to review the hazard analysis of the saws and the wilderness. Then we started scattering brush.
7/8/2010
The morning began with exercise. Preparing for the day assuring that we had all refreshments and tools needed for the task at hand. We proceeded to Juarita Mesa alongside another YCC crew and two engines. Before beginning we had a brief tailgate meeting with the engine foreman. We moved brush and slash one chain in from Forest Rd 44. We worked throughout the day. Everyone was very tired heading back down at the end of the day.
6/29/2010
Today we are putting up the new picnic tables. We started by exercising and covering the hazard analysis on staining safety. We replaced the 2 x 6's and 2 x 8's that had graffiti. Then we stained the tables, posts, and picked up trash.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Penasco YCC - Crew # 13
6-25-2010
This week's task was for us to make a trail down in the Pilar Camping area. The trail was approximately 1000 feet. The trail work was more intense than last week. Our most challenging task was constructing a a rock bridge across an arroyo. Last week's morale ranged from low to high. This week our morale stayed high all week. The only occasion I can recall of our morale being low is when our supervisor got sick. On another note we had a new recruit to our crew. Overall, our week was very productive and we accomplished all our goals.
This week's task was for us to make a trail down in the Pilar Camping area. The trail was approximately 1000 feet. The trail work was more intense than last week. Our most challenging task was constructing a a rock bridge across an arroyo. Last week's morale ranged from low to high. This week our morale stayed high all week. The only occasion I can recall of our morale being low is when our supervisor got sick. On another note we had a new recruit to our crew. Overall, our week was very productive and we accomplished all our goals.
Questa YCC Crew, Crew #11
6/18/2010
I learned to work together as a team and how each person plays a special role I learned people can get dehydrated fast and it's my duty to make them drink more H2O and take breaks when necessary.
We have been working on Big Arsenic trail providing cleaner safer and effective space for hikers.
Bugs and heat became a challenge to our crew. We used more bug spray and wore long sleves to cover up bugs and heat.
In the next two weeks I am excited to keep working on Big Arsenic Trail and make it to the bottom safely.
6/24/2010
Swinging picks has helped me get back in shape and PT helps a lot as well.
We have been working on trails at Wild Rivers and have really made a big impact on the trail and the safety of the visitors.
The heat has bee a big challenge since the first day on site. Also, we have gone through many bottles of bug spray trying to fend off the millions of bugs!
I'm excited to go down the river!
I learned to work together as a team and how each person plays a special role I learned people can get dehydrated fast and it's my duty to make them drink more H2O and take breaks when necessary.
We have been working on Big Arsenic trail providing cleaner safer and effective space for hikers.
Bugs and heat became a challenge to our crew. We used more bug spray and wore long sleves to cover up bugs and heat.
In the next two weeks I am excited to keep working on Big Arsenic Trail and make it to the bottom safely.
6/24/2010
Swinging picks has helped me get back in shape and PT helps a lot as well.
We have been working on trails at Wild Rivers and have really made a big impact on the trail and the safety of the visitors.
The heat has bee a big challenge since the first day on site. Also, we have gone through many bottles of bug spray trying to fend off the millions of bugs!
I'm excited to go down the river!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Abiquiu Youth Conservation Corps Crew
6/21/2010 Today we exercised and then went to the campgrounds and had a tailgate meeting. Then we went over the hazard analysis. Then we put on our Personal Protective Equipment needed and started staining the fence.
All the crew worked as a team to accomplish our goal of staining the fence.
We helped pick up trash from the road to improve the look and air in our community.
Our crew has gave it our best to accomplish everything that was needed to be done as a team even if it was a big a challenge.
6/22/2010
Today we exercised, sanded tables, painted tables and fences. We also went over the hazard analysis and used all our PPE.
6/23/2010
Today we sanded off all the graffiti from the picnic tables. Once that was done we began to paint the tops and bottoms of the tables. We also played a few team-building games after we finished our work.
6/24/2010
Today we began our work by staining 2 by 4's and 2 by 6's to replace the terribly graffitied tables at the El Rito Campgrounds. We then laid down forms for the barbecue grills. Then we stained some more tables and picked up trash at the campgrounds.
All the crew worked as a team to accomplish our goal of staining the fence.
We helped pick up trash from the road to improve the look and air in our community.
Our crew has gave it our best to accomplish everything that was needed to be done as a team even if it was a big a challenge.
6/22/2010
Today we exercised, sanded tables, painted tables and fences. We also went over the hazard analysis and used all our PPE.
6/23/2010
Today we sanded off all the graffiti from the picnic tables. Once that was done we began to paint the tops and bottoms of the tables. We also played a few team-building games after we finished our work.
6/24/2010
Today we began our work by staining 2 by 4's and 2 by 6's to replace the terribly graffitied tables at the El Rito Campgrounds. We then laid down forms for the barbecue grills. Then we stained some more tables and picked up trash at the campgrounds.
Penasco Youth Conservation Corps: Week 1
The week was very productive. As a team we accomplished our goals and more. Our week consisted or making a bike trail. We accomplished that goal halfway through the week and ahead of schedule. We finished the week off by hiking trails and maintaining them; such as cactus removal and applying drainage systems to the trails.
During the week our emotions ranged in a variety of ways. In the morning we were all energized and ready to work. But as soon as the heat picks up and gnats started to attack us, it took its toll on our spirits. Although we had some lows, we overcame most of it and remained happy.
During the week our emotions ranged in a variety of ways. In the morning we were all energized and ready to work. But as soon as the heat picks up and gnats started to attack us, it took its toll on our spirits. Although we had some lows, we overcame most of it and remained happy.
Taos Youth Conservation Crew
by Nikolai Bennett
Getting to know the crew better has been a great experience. It's a awesome accomplishment to clean up nice places so other people can enjoy them more. We've been cleaning out brush, trees and trash. Our work makes Taos's environment safer and more pristine by removing eyesores and scrap metal. The challenges we have faced include dust, rust, snakes, scratches, broken glass and soreness. And we overcame it all with teamwork and humor.
A Poem (illegal dumpsites)
By Nikolai Bennett
Rusty dirt settles on faces
Forgotten places
That people neglected
And never protected
Because keeping it real was just too hard
Don't ruin nature like it's your own to discard
It's where we're from
Don't forget your roots
Like a forest of trees interwoven
The youth of today have a token
We must harvest what the world has sewn
With strength and knowledge wonders well hone
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Week with Crew 19
6/14/10
Today we started out with exercising then we went over the Hazard Analysis Form and the tailgate safety. Then we overlooked the job site and went over our job assignments.
6/15/10
Today we sanded off the graffiti from the gazebo. Then we covered the cement so we didn't spill stain on the cement. We started staining the gazebo. We cleaned up trash around our area.
6/16/10
Today we stained the wood and protected our area by laying down plastic and paper. In order to paint the top we used a scaffold and a ladder. We all worked as a team to move the scaffold and paint the high parts.
6/17/10
Today we got on the scaffold and finished the other side of the gazebo and finished it. After we finished the gazebo we started staining the fence with linseed oil.
6/18/10
Today was a training day, we washed and cleaned the van. Also we put the spare on the van, exercised and sharpened tools.
Today we started out with exercising then we went over the Hazard Analysis Form and the tailgate safety. Then we overlooked the job site and went over our job assignments.
6/15/10
Today we sanded off the graffiti from the gazebo. Then we covered the cement so we didn't spill stain on the cement. We started staining the gazebo. We cleaned up trash around our area.
6/16/10
Today we stained the wood and protected our area by laying down plastic and paper. In order to paint the top we used a scaffold and a ladder. We all worked as a team to move the scaffold and paint the high parts.
6/17/10
Today we got on the scaffold and finished the other side of the gazebo and finished it. After we finished the gazebo we started staining the fence with linseed oil.
6/18/10
Today was a training day, we washed and cleaned the van. Also we put the spare on the van, exercised and sharpened tools.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thoughts on the Job
by Corey Romero, Crew 12: Taos YCC
Day 1, Monday 6/14:
The first project of crew 12 we started on was improving the environment around the Rio Lucero River and helping the river look healthy. We did things like thin trees, picked up trash and improved the scenery and environment around the area. Day one started fresh with a commitment to hard labor and I noticed how much the crew grew. They learned from each other; getting good vibes of inspiration and positively working together as a team.
Day 2, Tuesday 6/15:
Right away we finished what we had left for the next day and the area around the river already started to look like a huge improvement. More people would pass by thanking us and giving out appreciation with words to feel good and be proud. The trust grew; I would guess that is because of teamwork. We improved obstacles of staying together by not feeling scared or shy, speaking our minds with ideas and sharing ideas, sharing thoughts and collaborating a bit more.
Day 3, Wednesday 6/16:
It was more work of the same today, but the more effort equals a good job and the environment looks better and better. I can already see we are starting off as a real crew team would because of how much effort we put into it.
Day 4, Thursday 6/17:
Today is the last day of out project on the Rio Lucero River, the section on Upper Ranchitos Road. After this week I am sure I can say that it was an accomplishment after the effort the crew put into it. Learning how to understand how differently people work, having an open mind towards our differences and asking questions made communication easier. The more the crew got to know each other, commitment and labor became a common goal. I think we are learning by seeing our accomplishments and I hope to experience more of this with new projects to work on. The feel of being appreciated by Taos citizens inspires us to keep it up. Now we can pass by what we worked on and know what was done. The river looks better and there was a huge improvement on the piles and piles of trimmed and dead trees and all the trash. Now hopefully the crew will show more teamwork and keeping up with the effort we showed.
Day 1, Monday 6/14:
The first project of crew 12 we started on was improving the environment around the Rio Lucero River and helping the river look healthy. We did things like thin trees, picked up trash and improved the scenery and environment around the area. Day one started fresh with a commitment to hard labor and I noticed how much the crew grew. They learned from each other; getting good vibes of inspiration and positively working together as a team.
Day 2, Tuesday 6/15:
Right away we finished what we had left for the next day and the area around the river already started to look like a huge improvement. More people would pass by thanking us and giving out appreciation with words to feel good and be proud. The trust grew; I would guess that is because of teamwork. We improved obstacles of staying together by not feeling scared or shy, speaking our minds with ideas and sharing ideas, sharing thoughts and collaborating a bit more.
Day 3, Wednesday 6/16:
It was more work of the same today, but the more effort equals a good job and the environment looks better and better. I can already see we are starting off as a real crew team would because of how much effort we put into it.
Day 4, Thursday 6/17:
Today is the last day of out project on the Rio Lucero River, the section on Upper Ranchitos Road. After this week I am sure I can say that it was an accomplishment after the effort the crew put into it. Learning how to understand how differently people work, having an open mind towards our differences and asking questions made communication easier. The more the crew got to know each other, commitment and labor became a common goal. I think we are learning by seeing our accomplishments and I hope to experience more of this with new projects to work on. The feel of being appreciated by Taos citizens inspires us to keep it up. Now we can pass by what we worked on and know what was done. The river looks better and there was a huge improvement on the piles and piles of trimmed and dead trees and all the trash. Now hopefully the crew will show more teamwork and keeping up with the effort we showed.
Monday, April 19, 2010
April on the Forestry Crews
The last couple of weeks have been an exciting debut to an unforgettable experience that everyone in this program has encountered.
Though some days can be overwhelming, those days are also healthy. I am in the forestry crew, also known as Crew 1 with eight other members including my supervisor. We have all been introduced to trail and forestry work. We’ve gone on the “Arsenic Trail” to help out Game and Fish which included hiking down into the Rio Grande with cut throat trout on our backs to restock in the rivers. We’ve worked on a dedicated employee’s house that has a trail leading to his farm animals. There we learned how to construct tread maintenance, erosion control, and retaining the already built structures. We’ve worked on a trail called “Dos Arroyos” that the town of Taos issued last year. This trail is used for recreation and as a safe route to the hospital. On Dos Arroyos we put in posts and rails that look a lot easier to put in than they actually are. We’ve also been working on our personal development. A part of this development is our team building and knowing the ins and outs of our peers. I myself have worked on my own personal etiquette, which can be overwhelming at times. I am gaining the patience and strength for my future, and it’s not an easy job. I will say that I am grateful for this glorious opportunity and am making friends along the way.
-Caleb Cruz, Crew 1
Though some days can be overwhelming, those days are also healthy. I am in the forestry crew, also known as Crew 1 with eight other members including my supervisor. We have all been introduced to trail and forestry work. We’ve gone on the “Arsenic Trail” to help out Game and Fish which included hiking down into the Rio Grande with cut throat trout on our backs to restock in the rivers. We’ve worked on a dedicated employee’s house that has a trail leading to his farm animals. There we learned how to construct tread maintenance, erosion control, and retaining the already built structures. We’ve worked on a trail called “Dos Arroyos” that the town of Taos issued last year. This trail is used for recreation and as a safe route to the hospital. On Dos Arroyos we put in posts and rails that look a lot easier to put in than they actually are. We’ve also been working on our personal development. A part of this development is our team building and knowing the ins and outs of our peers. I myself have worked on my own personal etiquette, which can be overwhelming at times. I am gaining the patience and strength for my future, and it’s not an easy job. I will say that I am grateful for this glorious opportunity and am making friends along the way.
-Caleb Cruz, Crew 1
Friday, March 19, 2010
Reflection
How I Feel at Times:
It’s my surfboard
And I wash away
I float in the middle in an
Ocean of decay
Tides are rough, pieces of my
Board float away.
Stuck in the middle of the sea;
I have no one to talk to or
listen to me. My skin is wrinkled
From the water, no searches,
not even a bother! I see the sea
Serpents that float under me,
Reading my mind, hatred and animosity
even the goldfish judge a fall
the smallest ones are the worst of them all!
looked to them and made me small.
The ocean is too big for m
In time try not to sink in the sea
and let time tell what it’ll do for me!
-Javonne Garcia, Crew 3
Monday, March 15, 2010
Field Crew Season 2010
CREW 4 (GREEN CREW)
The Green Crew's objective is to make existing homes more energy efficient. In the last two weeks we've learned to use equipment that is necessary to run energy audits. Learning how to use a blower door may be the easiest of what we've done thus far. There are more challenging tasks that have presented themselves in the past two weeks. One includes crunching numbers to determine the most effective amount of insulation to put in the roofs of these homes. In addition to finding the point of diminishing returns (balancing the cost of insulation with the potential energy saved), we've had to take into consideration what type of insulation should be used and the most effective blower machine to use. We want to insulate as many homes in the least amount of time as possible. In our third week of work we presented our finding to our partner in this project, the Taos County Housing Authority. This week we will begin to follow up with them to ensure that the materials we need to make those homes more energy efficient. Until we can begin to tackle the insulation of these homes, we will continue to run energy audits and practice our people skills.
-Karen Mirabal, Crew 4
-Karen Mirabal, Crew 4
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Eat and Play Family Day
On January 15, 2010 Rocky Mountain Youth Corps hosted “Eat and Play Family Day” to address childhood obesity in honor of Martin Luther King Jr's vision of healthy communities. The event aimed to increase parent’s and children’s’ awareness of preventative measures they can take to decrease their risk of becoming obese and health issues associated with obesity.
260 members of the Taos Community showed up and participated in interactive activities set up to demonstrate for kids how much fun healthy food and games can be. These activities included hula hooping, Dance Dance Revolution, food art and letter writing to congress. Each attendee received a “Passport to health” which got stamped at each station they visited. Once six stamps were earned the participant was able to collect a goody bag of healthy snacks. It was great to see children making healthy choices and enjoying doing it.
We would like to thank all of our supporters in making this event a success:
Rocky Mountain Youth Corpsmember Council
Field Institute of Taos
Holy Cross Hospital
University of New Mexico-Taos Library
Taos County Economic Development Corporation
Safe Routes to School
Building Bridges to the Outdoors
Protecting You, Protecting Me
Taos Physical Therapy
Twirl
...and of course the Taos Youth & Family Center
260 members of the Taos Community showed up and participated in interactive activities set up to demonstrate for kids how much fun healthy food and games can be. These activities included hula hooping, Dance Dance Revolution, food art and letter writing to congress. Each attendee received a “Passport to health” which got stamped at each station they visited. Once six stamps were earned the participant was able to collect a goody bag of healthy snacks. It was great to see children making healthy choices and enjoying doing it.
We would like to thank all of our supporters in making this event a success:
Rocky Mountain Youth Corpsmember Council
Field Institute of Taos
Holy Cross Hospital
University of New Mexico-Taos Library
Taos County Economic Development Corporation
Safe Routes to School
Building Bridges to the Outdoors
Protecting You, Protecting Me
Taos Physical Therapy
Twirl
...and of course the Taos Youth & Family Center
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