A fun place to volunteer
Tuesday we went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona on a trip to see wildflowers. This is Arizona's oldest and largest botantical garden, encompassing 323 acres in scenic Queen Creek Canyon. It was founded in the 1920s by mining magnate Col. William Boyce Thompson to improve the use of plant resources.
I had last been there once before, in 1995, so it has been a long time. I love to see all the unusual species of cacti from all over the world, as well as walks through several habitats found in Arizona. It was early for cacti to be blooming but we did see a number of flowers, including Mexican poppies an
d desert marigolds. Giant yuccas were in full bloom. Their most unusual plant, the Boojum, native to Mexico, had green leafy growth and towered over other plants.
d desert marigolds. Giant yuccas were in full bloom. Their most unusual plant, the Boojum, native to Mexico, had green leafy growth and towered over other plants. On the way out, I met Laura Carroll, a volunteer in the visitor center. As she rang up my purchases, I asked if she was an RVer. She was. She and husband Danny had seen an advertisement in Workamper News and have been here since January. They will leave next month for a job at Parry Lodge in Kanab, UT, also found through WN. Laura will work at the front desk, Danny will dress in cowboy regalia and greet customers, plus count money. Danny collected our money in the kiosk as we entered the arboretum parking lot. With his handlebar mustache, we can easily imagine him a perfect cowboy!
What Laura and Danny like best about volunteering at the arboretum is the fun staff they work with. Though they have vowed never to work in the same location twice - they want to see more of the country - they may make an exception for the arboretum and return.
Laura and Danny make their own fun wherever they go. So far their travels have taken them to Workamping assignments in two Florida state parks, one near Indpendence, KS where they are originally from and Admiralty RV Resort in San Antonio, TX. After talking with them, George and I can see why they are successful Workampers. They are upbeat and positive, two traits highly prized in this lifestyle. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak (photos by George Bruzenak)
For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com
Labels: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, volunteering
posted by Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak at
11:15 AM
4 Comments:
Interesting note. Had Jaimie been a bit more inquisitive, there are seven couples who work-camp here and at least three of us were on duty when she was here. Two of us are Escapees and four found the position via "Workamper News."
Four of us here at present have full-time experience ranging from eight years to ten months. The three part-time folks also have a lot of RV experience. They come from as far away as Alaska.
Three are first time volunteer work-campers but one of those has done paid positions before. We arrived here between early December through February first. The first is due to leave next week and the last will be gone by late May.
By
Kirk, at April 6, 2008 7:00 AM
My husband Le Roy & I have been resident volunteers at BTA for 2006 & 2007. We now are staying down the road in a RV park and volunteer about 3 days a month when needed. We have been on the road this last stretch since 1999 and have worked all over the country and a summer in Alaska. it is a great life and looking forward to spending 2 + months at the Petrified Forest this summer. Leda
By
Leda, at April 6, 2008 4:51 PM
I failed to mention, but Laura and Danny are great representatives of the the arboretum and great folks to share an experience with. And they have some great permanent staff here as well.
By
Kirk, at April 7, 2008 10:09 PM
Kirk, I'm sorry I missed the rest of you. It would have been fun to meet. I e-mailed Paul the day before and tried to see him while I was visiting but couldn't connect. I'm sure he would have introduced me to the rest of you and given me the full numbers. I've written about volunteers at Boyce Thompson two other years in the article section of Workamper.com. It is a beautiful place. I can see why you enjoy volunteering there. Maybe next time! Jaimie
By
Jaimie Hall-Bruzenak, at April 9, 2008 3:21 PM
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