After an interesting night and a yummy breakfast, we got to begin our service project. The Family Campout Program is sponsored in part by Americorps, so service is part of their game. I asked about Americorps - what it is, what they do...basically it's a bit like the Peace Corps, but 'at home'. The people involved get some sort of tuition reimbursement and they provide service in different areas. These guys just happened to choose the parks. I decided that when I retire I'd like to volunteer at a state or national park...you know, be the 'camp host' that stays at the spot at the front of the campground and sort of keeps and eye on things. Oh wait - I'd have to camp.....all the time. Hmmm.
So our project....we were told to 'bring work gloves if you've got them'. And away we went to - wait for it....... pick weeds. I have never enjoyed picking weeds. Never ever ever ever ever ever. But, away we went to pick the Russian Napweed. We learned that it is an invasive plant to Arizona: it is not native and it takes over the native plants (probably more weeds?) and is, in general, not a good thing. It is poisonous to horses, so with an 'it's helping the horses' attitude, away we went. There were about 20 - 30 of us picking weeds and we worked for about two hours. We managed to clear the area - I have no idea how big it was - of the weed and all was well.
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| Local businesses donated gloves and trowels. These weeds were not going to come out easily! |
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| See all those weeds around Elyse? That's what we picked. |
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