Orientation to ARCC and the Southwest Semester

Flying into Denver, we are welcomed by our instructors and say our first hellos to our traveling family for the next few months. Once gathered we make our way to our nearby campsite tucked amidst breathtaking mountainous surroundings. After setting up our tents for the first time, we kick off our semester with a BBQ welcome to the ARCC family and begin settling into our group, getting to know one another and our instructors. After a good night’s rest, we spend our second day as a group mapping out our itinerary, setting individual and group goals for the duration of the semester, familiarizing ourselves with our group equipment, and venturing off with a menu plan and mission on our first food shop. We also introduce our curriculum and brainstorm ideas for our individual Passion Projects, all the while coming together as a traveling community.

Wilderness First Responder Course and Moab Exploration

Piling into our 15-passenger van for the first leg of our Southwest road trip we set off for Moab, Utah. As we wind our way to the charming town and gateway to the brilliant “red rock country,” we learn about the rich history and culture of this region of the United States. Upon arriving at our group campsite, we set up our home for the next week and prepare for our eight-day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course. 

Immersing into the medical world, we dive into a world-class certification course that will lay the foundation for years of outdoor adventure, exploration, and even work (for those interested). Through our WFR training, we learn to conduct a thorough physical examination, obtain a patient history, assess vital signs, provide emergency care in the wilderness, and make crucial evacuation decisions, skills that not only prepare us well for the semester ahead, but provide us with skills that will serve us for years to come. In the evenings, we continue to get to know one another as we hone in on our group culture and expectations, and take time to explore our beautiful surroundings. 

No trip to Moab would be complete without exploring Arches National Park. Known for its spectacular red rock cliffs, Arches is made for the adventurer. We spend our weekend hiking and exploring the impressive park, visiting formations like Wall Street, The Windows, and watching the sun set over the world‐famous Delicate Arch.

Cataract Canyon Multi-Day River Rafting

When John Wesley Powell first explored the Colorado River and its canyons in 1868, his impression of Cataract Canyon was geologic: “lines of cliffs and ledges of rock… ledges from which the gods might quarry mountains… where the soaring eagle is lost to view ere he reaches the summit.” Powell, the first non-native to travel the Colorado River by boat, named the canyon “Cataract” to honor the many dramatic falls. 

For the next four days we retrace Powell’s explorations as we raft this beautiful stretch of the Colorado River before it drops into Lake Powell. Hiking side canyons where ancient Pueblo peoples first domesticated crops, splashing through 35 class III-V rapids and setting up camp on vast sandy beaches under a designated “gold-tier” dark sky in Canyonlands National Park, these days in the canyon are sure to be a highlight of our Southwest adventures.

Glen Canyon Institute Water Study

From the headwaters high in the Rocky Mountains, to the desert of northern Mexico where the Colorado River runs dry before reaching the Sea of Cortez, every drop of the Colorado River and its tributaries is spoken for. The waters held back by the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams are among the most contested in the world. Though it was built as a reservoir to house water reserves for the cities and farms of the lower Colorado watershed, we learn that Lake Powell (which was once Glen Canyon) has dropped by at least 50% over the past 15 years. During our days here we learn about the dropping reservoir through three experiences: exploring newly-accessible slot canyons and ancient ruins that have been buried by lake water for decades, taking in the grandeur and remoteness of Glen Canyon as we recreate and sleep beneath her smooth, red walls under a million stars, and joining the debate over the most hotly contested project of the Era of Big Dams in the West.

Colorado Bison Ranch

We say our goodbyes to Utah and enter Cowboy country on the mountain ranches of western Colorado. A lot has changed since homesteaders moved west in wagons, but ranchers are still a vital part of the United States food industry, and they are especially important on small family farms where 40% of the country’s cattle is raised. We spend a couple of days on a local bison ranch where we learn what it’s like to raise livestock or crops and work a ranch or farm. Helping with chores, moving bison, or pressing our own cider, we relish the opportunity to step into a different lifestyle. These days on the ranch help us to understand where our food comes from and what it takes to get it from farm to table, from water rights and irrigation limits, to land management and animal husbandry. When we’re done with a hard day’s work, we soak up the beauty of the Colorado mountains in fall from our own slice of rural America.

Wolf Conservation Project

Our travels in the Southwest continue on to a remote Wolf Sanctuary where for the next several days we learn about this educational sanctuary that houses dozens of rescued wolves from previous captivity. During our time here we learn about reintroduction efforts of the wolves and about the harms of keeping wolves as pets. Our partner organization is committed to connecting people with nature using hands-on experiential education, and while we are here we join on-going projects such as maintaining paths, gardening, repairing fences, processing meat for the wolves, and much more.

Mountain Town Exploration and Rock Climbing

The eastern border of the Southwest region lies in the Rockies. North America’s largest mountain range separates the great plains of middle America from the high desert plateaus. In southern Colorado and New Mexico, the Rockies lured Spanish conquistadors and American prospectors alike with their promise of gold, and in the heyday of the Rocky Mountain gold rush, shootouts and paydays mixed with myths of Spanish curses and ghosts. Those mountain towns still hold a shimmering allure, but now they are more of an escape from the mundane – a chance to catch a breath of fresh mountain air amidst a gorgeous, remote landscape. Escaping to one of Colorado’s spectacular mountain towns, we get awe-inspiring views of the jagged peaks of the San Juan mountains and spend a day learning to rock climb. Enjoying the crisp evening air at the day’s end, we sip on hot cocoa and relax in natural hot springs to soothe sore muscles and complete our mountain town experience.

Sustainable Building Project and White Sands National Park

Continuing our journey through the Rockies, we make our way to Taos, New Mexico where we set up camp for the next week amidst spectacular surroundings. Brisk mornings lead to beautiful autumn days as we join forces with a local organization that builds homes capable of living entirely off the grid using only recycled products and resources. As we learn about the ethos of this industrious and inspiring organization, and lend a hand to the hard-work being done, we not only have the opportunity to dig deeper into topics such as sustainability, solar power, and other renewable energy sources, but also to engage with and interview people who have dedicated their lives to this environmental cause.

Leaving Taos behind, we continue our road trip south to White Sands National Park, the newest U.S. National Park. This is the world’s largest gypsum dune field, and the sparkling white sand stretches as far as the eye can see, surrounded on nearly all sides by dramatic mountain views. We explore the dunes, soak up a beautiful New Mexican sunset, and sleep under the stars in a region known for UFO sightings (likely courtesy of the nearby Holloman Air Force Base).

Tucson Immigration Study

We continue our journey west to Tucson, Arizona, where we dive into ARCC’s themes of the Movement of Peoples and Public Health by learning about how migration defines and impacts communities in the Borderlands. Through a partnership with a local organization that is committed to connecting divided communities, raising awareness around immigration policies, improving public health outcomes, and inspiring action for social transformation, we explore the causes and challenges of migration, as well as the impact that U.S. immigration policies have on individuals and families. As we learn about this poignant issue, we have the opportunity to hear both the voices of migrants and those committed to creating social change.

Student Planned Module

Our final region of the semester takes us south of the U.S. border into Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. After a short flight, we dive into our Student Planned Module. This section is completely planned, organized, budgeted, and implemented by the students. We can’t wait to see what the group will do!

Baja California, SCUBA Certification and Semester Conclusion

Our Student Planned Module behind us, we settle into our charming guesthouse and breathe in the salty air and soak up the warmth of our beautiful beachfront surroundings. Our final week of the semester has us developing a new aquatic skill as we participate in a multi-day SCUBA certification course in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. Those new to diving will have the chance to earn their Open Water Diver certifications, while experienced divers can earn their Advanced Diver certifications. When not diving, we enjoy time to explore the coast and seek out the delicious local cuisine. 

During the evenings, we take in our final sunsets as a group, present our Capstone Passion Projects, and debrief all that we have learned over our past semester traversing the American Southwest. There is no doubt that our starry nights around campfires, skills learned through project immersion, boundaries pushed while adventuring, and personal development gained through mentorship have prepared us for the rest of our lives. 

Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their Gap Year with ARCC: