Hopi and Navajo Exploration: A Volunteer Experience

Have you ever wondered what life is like on a reservation? Are you open to working with communities to accomplish tasks? Now is your chance! Join us for an unforgettable service trip. We will be traveling to Arizona and visiting the culturally rich Diné (Navajo) and Hopi reservations. We will fly into Phoenix and make our way up through the diverse landscape of Northern Arizona to the town of Polacca. We will participate in a wide variety of hands-on service projects around the reservations, including house painting, construction, hauling wood, and food and/or clothing sorting. 

This immersive experience will allow students to learn about the history of these tribes, interact with local people, and deepen their understanding of past and ongoing injustices faced by Native Americans, such as the residential school movement, racism, substance abuse, and entrenched poverty. Systemic problems linked to extreme poverty are wide and varied; for example, Arizona Public Radio estimates that “40% of Navajo households lack running water.” In addition to confronting these challenging injustices, we will also have opportunities to embrace the beauty of this area and understand its importance to those who live there. Experiences may include a visit to the Canyon de Chelly, hiking/exploring, traditional ceremonies, and visiting local sites such as Walpi, a Hopi village founded in 900 AD. 

This trip is for those drawn to volunteer experience, learning more about communities in need, gaining hours to fulfill Dawson’s sophomore year community service expectations, and those excited to explore Arizona and the history of indigenous people. This trip is more than just a service trip; it is an opportunity to connect with one another, expand your understanding of diverse cultures, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Students who choose this adventure must be prepared to participate in physical activities, embrace the challenges and discomforts that come with cultural immersion, and to be respectful of the communities we work with. 

Educational Goals:

  • Participate in volunteer activities benefitting the Hopi and Diné peoples

  • Understand and reflect on the history of Arizona and its Native tribes

  • Learn about the ongoing injustices that affect Native American communities

  • Explore the beauty of Arizona

Instructors: Sarah Boyer and Lisa Chase 

Open to: Grades 9-12 

Limit: 12 students 

Cost: $950

Local Day: March 6

Travel Dates: Monday, March 9 - Friday, March 13