AmeriCorps Kickoff in Las Cruces!

The Community Leadership Crew made the six-hour car trip to the Court Youth Center in Las Cruces for the New Mexico Americorps kickoff. Some of us had never been south of Albuquerque and marveled at the unique desert landscape and all of us certainly enjoyed the warmer temperatures.

Upon arrival we dove into an array of workshops like First Aid and CPR, True Colors- personality assessments, energy harnessing, drumming, Positive Youth Development, working with youth, and conflict resolution. That night students from the charter high school, Court Youth Center, served a delicious meal prepared by the culinary art students, while the flamenco dance team swirled around on stage.

The next morning we participated in a World Café and had the opportunity to talk with fellow AmeriCorps members about their reasons for joining their projects and future plans. We also learned what other AmeriCorps programs in the state are doing this year. After lunch our crew created a six-word vision statement “Developing Communities, Improving Landscapes, Reaching Youth” and an accompanying presentation to share with the kickoff participants. We all went on stage to present our statement and artistic interpretation.

On Make A Difference Day we helped paint a house across the street from the Court Youth Center, participated in recycled art, including making a mosaic garden table for the garden at the school and making earrings and magnets out of bottle caps. We enjoyed the chance to let our creativity flow and socialize with other AmeriCorps members around the state.

Crews 1 & 10 SPIKE!

Hi everyone his is Coy from Crew #1 at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. This past 8 days, crews 1 and 10 went work on the continental divide in Southern New Mexico. We packed up our vehicles on Monday, September 28^th and we started our long drive down to Socorro, New Mexico. The drive was a long one. Everyone was cramped in the Suburbans with our equipment and bags. It’s about a 6 hour drive to Socorro. Every one caught up on sleep on the way down. When we finally got to Socorro we met up with our BLM sponsor. Then we had another 2 hour drive to the plains of San Augustine. When we reached our final destination, we were at our rocky camp site.

The first day was all travel but the second day we went to work on the trail. We were putting in trail head posts and building cairns. We did a lot of hiking throughout the plains. The first day we hiked about 3 ½ miles. After the first day lots of Corps member’s feet were sore. As we worked we ran into lots of wild life. We found horny toads ranging from babies to adults. They just ran away from us, but us being us we chased it and caught it. We let it go after looking at it and taking pics of him or her. I was lucky enough to get a pic of a Blue Tailed Skink. We ran into some Tarantulas and Brown Recluses. Not too many snakes out there at this time. We kept running into dirt mounds of dirt that looked like prairie dog holes but ended up finding out that they are pack rat holes. The biggest animal we saw the whole time was antelope. Crew # 10 ran into a coyote. Another person and I wanted to run into a rattle snake because we wanted a pic of one.

We worked hard day in and day out. When we were done with our work day, camp needed attention from wood being split, to cooking dinner, and many other chores. Almost everyone went to sleep early. There were only a couple of us that stayed awake till midnight. The first night was not that cold, it was a really nice night actually. The next night got really cold, then after that the rest of the time it was cold. In the day the weather was really bad. We worked in strong winds and cold conditions some days. Due to all the weather and conditions we were sun and wind burned. Lots of people’s lips got chapped badly. We all made it out fine.

We enjoyed our time out there and are looking forward to returning. Were going on another 8 days out to the same area to work on another section of trail. We enjoyed meeting the ranchers that lived out there. They told us what has been going on out there with the wildlife and with their cattle. They not big on bringing the Lobo back down there to that area not because of their safety but to protect their cattle. A Lobo is a small wolf that is native to New Mexico. They told us stories and shared what they know. We all had some laughs with them. Then we called it a night. Well until next time and enjoy the photos.

Coy Gokey

Taos Crew Update

Last Monday we headed to La Sombra Trail to do corridor work. We also painted tables and cleaned up the dirty fire pits.
On Tuesday we painted more picnic tables and raked the area clean. Mike showed us how to used the weed whacker, but not all of us could use it because we are not yet eighteen.
We were lucky enough to go to the Ski Valley on Wednesday. We met a Sierra Club representative and widened some of the trails up there.
Thursday we went back up La Sombra- we hiked 3.3 miles and worked with Craig Saum, one of the rangers for the Camino Real district. It was almost unbearably hot, but we managed to work right through the heat and get the job done. Throughout the day Craig showed us how to make awesome water bars.

**YCC Crews have graduated and moved on- RMYC is grateful for each crewmember's dedication to community service!**

Lessons and Reflections from the "G-rated" CREW: YCC Questa #11

Our Crew gained skills...
-mad paper signin' skills
-choppin' down tree skills
-language control,
- & joking skills,
-logical skills
-workin' together skills!

Now our community has trails...
Nice walking trails
Biking trails
Calming trails
Trails for chevro-legs & patamobiles.

Yes, we were challenged
And we overcame!
Angry beavers
Shifting supervisors
Vengful pulaskis
Stubborn rocks
And life giving, bone chilling rain.

Still we're excited...
Being alive excited Austin
Working with the crew excites Joey
Nick is excited about a paycheck
Movin' big rocks excites Mike
Everything excites Sam
Casandra's excited about safety
Thursday's BBQ excites Damian
Chawaluna's culvert excites Jeremy
Karina is excited about Rinconada's culvert
Payday excites Juan, 'n'
Payin' bills excites Jerry.

With our G-rated skills, we're learning mad growing up skills!

Reflection of Pecos spike trip

Over the last month and a half the field crews (Crews #1 and #2) have been on Spike at a location in Pecos, New Mexico to help the forest service create a trail through an old Civil War battle site. The trail was over two and a half miles in length and was just a dirt trail. We laid down a three inch layer of base dirt and another four inches of gravel on top through the entire trail, created lookout points and did some rock work as well. After work, we camped in tree houses at a camp outside of Santa Fe. We made dinner, washed dishes and cleaned daily. We were all homesick by the end of each week and we were all usually in a foul mood but we all got through it. Another obstacle was sickness. We all got sick over the two week break we had for S-212 training and had to deal with it on the trip. What I personally liked about the trip was I got to really open up to fellow crew members and they started to respect me a lot more after they got the opportunity to know me better. I also enjoyed working with some of the forest service workers. They kept us entertained, shared stories with us about themselves and we all got along very well. some skills that I learned over that trip was that I can open up to other crew members and that we can teach each other certain skills that we all have. I have a lot to learn and they have a lot to teach me and I, them. As for the future, I hope to get closer to my crew and help them cut some trees.

Our First week with the RMYC!

Throughout this blog you will be given an insiders' look at a group of eight people embarking on an adventure of inner growth and action within the world.

ENJOY:)

1st week- Orientation & Team Building

This first week we are orientating ourselves within a new framework. We are getting to know each other on a deeper level in order for us to build a healthy positive crew for the upcoming 6 months. A tool we have been using and will continue to use is team building. It is a process orientated tool to build cohesion. We have been using communication, games, reflection, and physical activity to build a connection between us all. We use games to spark discussion, engage ourselves mentally, and to be physical together to overcome challenges which are inherent in the specific games we play. Challenges are opportunities. They push us to engage our potential. To embrace the new we let go of fear, open our doors and say yes to change. Inner growth is inevitable when we come together as a team and say yes to the journey, to the process.

This week we took a hike to the Rio Grande River near Pilar. We enjoyed nature and her beauty while getting our blood and mind flowing. We discussed the importance of the Leave No Trace Ethics and reflected upon our own personal ethics and their importance in our group and within the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps.

We also challenged our minds and came together within a circle of trust at the Ropes Course. What stood out to me was the trust fall. We stood on a platform above our crew, turned around and fell into their protective arms. Some people were at ease, for some it was a definite challenge and opportunity for trust.

Every time we come together mentally and physically we become more bonded. Team building is about cohesion and unity. A team builds a powerful force ready to influence change in the direction of the groups intentions. There is power within us and power in numbers. If change is what we desire (and it's certainly needed in our world) we'll be better able to accomplish this through groups, communities, and organizations like the RMYC.

We look forward to sharing our insights and experiences with you!

Blessings.....