It was supposed to end last week. Or was it the week before? Now, who knows how long the government will remain shut down?
Many folks (including RVers) are stepping up to help. We love our local, state, and national parks, and we appreciate the park workers, too.
Causes and results
It’s never easy when budgets tighten. The adjustments can be painful at first, but sometimes they lead to leaner, more efficient operations.
Regardless of the reasons behind the current government shutdown, there may be a small silver lining.
When parts of the government close, new opportunities often open for volunteers. Across the country, people step up to fill gaps and help their communities—and there’s no shortage of inspiring examples.
Saguaro National Park
If upcoming travel plans include a visit to Saguaro National Park, you should know that the cacti are still standing, trails remain accessible, and local groups are plugging gaps left by the government pause.
Nonprofit partners and cooperating associations are coordinating support for this national treasure. Some organizations have provided operational assistance at sites like the Red Hills Visitor Center and others. This means that services (like restrooms, information booths, or a staffed bookstore) remain available even while federal staffing is reduced. Private donations and the park’s nonprofit partners are filling immediate gaps to continue a pleasant visitor experience.
Other places, too!
Saguaro National Park isn’t the only example of folks stepping up and helping out. In Rocky Mountain National Park, the YMCA and local scout troops have worked to remove trash so the park remains clean and welcoming.
Church groups and park support groups have stepped in to help in their local and state parks, as well.
Help for individuals
The local response goes beyond the gates of many parks. Small businesses and community organizations have mobilized to support park staff hit by missed paychecks.
Area churches and local food pantries have stepped up with massive food drives and area-wide food collection efforts.
A Utah-area Indian restaurant, Swad Cabin, is offering to feed families affected by the shutdown. It’s a simple but powerful example of neighbors pitching in to help others.
National and municipal organizations are advising city leaders on how to prioritize services and emergency support.
The future
If you’re an RVer who loves national parks, this moment is a reminder that nonprofits and local communities provide essential, flexible backup when government funding or staffing is interrupted.
Cooperating associations and “friends of” groups have an established role supporting visitor services, education, trail work, and basic maintenance. It illustrates how public-private partnerships and volunteer networks matter in the day-to-day visitor experience.
How you can help
If you value keeping our parks welcoming and well-maintained, consider supporting the nonprofit partners that are helping on the front lines and volunteering.
You can buy supplies or souvenirs from cooperating association stores, make a donation, join a volunteer trail day, or sign up for a “friends” membership. Every small action multiplies to help many folks and also encourages and energizes even more volunteers!
Have you volunteered or contributed to assistance groups? How might you help today?
RELATED
- Help the National Park Service by volunteering your time
- Brown drinking water, closed gates, overflowing trash: How the shutdown has hit one national park
- Communities rally to keep the Smokies open amid federal shutdown
- Grand Canyon staff turn to food pantry as shutdown drags on
- National parks losing $1 million a day in fees
RVT1234b
Just tRUMP making AMERICA great again.
Agreed
It’s prudent to point out it’s the Legislative Branch that approves funding, not the Executive or Judicial Branches of government. The lack of Democrat votes are what’s keeping the shutdown going so I’m curious why you don’t credit them by name instead of the President.
Also congress who is to implement taxes and tariffs. How is that working out? Unemployment up, inflation up, Trumps wallet? Also up!
The U.S. Supreme Court disagrees with your first statement but let’s talk about how things are working out:
The U.S. Government is currently $38T in debt. You personally need to cough up $328,220 to pay for the services you’ve received to date. How would you like to pay that?
Do you want to pay it as inflation, a tax, tariff, fine or fee? It doesn’t matter what the politicians call it, you owe it and what you don’t pay, your kids will. It doesn’t matter who you elect, you owe what you owe because they spent what they spent. So what’s your plan to pay off your debt?
Start by dropping most of those idiotic tariffs. They are destroying the US. But full disclosure, I am a Canadian who no longer winters in your beautiful country. We have enough problems here, I will let you solve yours.
Have a great rest of your day!
Tariffs (even “idiotic” ones) are nothing more than an import tax that every industrialized nation in the world uses. If reducing offshore purchases through taxation actually did destroy countries, the examples of failed states would be lengthy. Especially the weaker nations.
No dear neighbor, I fear debt will be our undoing but hey, here’s some good news for you!
Although the exchange rate is terrible and worsening, your debt as a Canadian is less bad! You currently only owe $30,536 for your government debt. 10% of what I owe. Wanna trade? LOL
Have a great weekend and stay warm up there!
If you add in provincial debt it goes higher! Regardless every G7 nation has a mounting debt crisis with every government kicking that can down the road. No clue how it will end.
Snow up here in Toronto, yuck!
Sorry about those Jays Leonard, I was really bummed as a fellow lifelong Jay’s fan, assuming you are too.
On tarrifs, the US is simply using the same system of protections for our industries which Canada and Europe have used for decades to protect your industries. Where is it written that Canada, Europe and China should get unfettered access to the great American market? Our industrial base should continue to collapse in order to prop up Chinas? Europe’s? Canada’s?
Miss you already…. 😎✌️, hope to see you back in 2029.
A broken bat. A broken bat ended one of the most exciting World Series I’ve ever watched.
Sadly so. Can’t load the bases in the bottom of extra innings and not bring one in with multiple outs to go….
Cheers Vince 🍻
Yup.
Hi Cancelproof,
Thanks for mentioning the Jay’s. It was awful to be two outs away, but you have to give credit to the Dodgers who found a way to win.
I would be thrilled if the US only used the same amount of tariffs that Canada does. They are significantly higher, but it is showing up in your unemployment and inflation stats, which are not looking good for the US. We would be happy if a new USMCA was negotiated in good faith, and soon! It might allow me to come back to your amazing country next winter! Fingers crossed!
Stay well.
It’s going to be a long an arduous time without any end in sight.
It’ great that all the people are chipping in to make it better for the employees and their families.
Too bad one man’s EGO trip is the cause of all the problems.
PS: but we are getting $300 million dollar Gold Plated ballroom!
I bet the gold purchased in the 300 million is going straight to mar-a-lago. The white house is getting fake gold. Likely another scam
There is no more room for gold at Mar-A-Lago! It is already near gold plated by a “businessman” who produced a great deal and was rewarded for his efforts and abilities; and not a “politician” like the rest of them have been – as well as the Congress. Look at history!
Here we go again, for all the TDS afflicted like Bob and Tom M, so far.
212 out of 213 Democrats in the house VOTED TO CLOSE the govt.
216 out 217 Republicans in the house VOTED TO OPEN the govt.
45 out of 47 Democrats in the Senate VOTED TO CLOSE the govt. 14 times.
52 ot of 53 Republicans in the Senate VOTED TO OPEN the govt. 14 times.
Maybe some of you skipped out on civics class in school but the Senate needs 60 votes to pass the Continuing Resolution to keep funding the govt at current levels, which BTW is still the BIDEN Budget from the last term.
Very simple math folks. 99% of Rs voted to keep it open and 98% of Ds voted to close it. Very simple math.
Yep, that’s the way I see it too. And thankyou to all those who volunteer to help in any way they can.
I found it to be a nice story about volunteerism, with a message that shines light on America’s true nature of pitching in when needed. I’m not sure how the first 2 comments went down the Orange Man bad road on a nice story but alas, they did.
I’m staying off of this comment board this week now. If my brief Civics lesson above, and a quick math tutorial doesn’t help stop the gaslighting from the TDS afflicted, nothing will.
Happy trails Bill. ✌️😎
🫣👍👍
Cancel/Bill: Absolutely correct. It is a well written article with a positive slant and a demonstration of what makes this country and it’s people exceptional. Any crisis – there will be help on the way – and not paid either! That’s what makes America Great! Sad that at least these two guys, who opined on this, had to add their usual negative attack! Thank you Gail!
Come on Cancelproof I always enjoy your comments.
😮
I heard some testimony yesterday on a local radio station which was plugged into CNN broadcasting C-Span…. the discussion was all the pork the Democrats are holding out for and it has nothing or little to do with the healthcare system. Why don’t the Republicans reveal all the dem. add-on pork demands so a real start to pressuring the dems to agree and vote the budget as proposed. Even Pres. Trump could have mentioned the items in the hatchet job Sixty Minutes interview Sunday nite. That’s if he could have gotten a word in edgewise!
fake news
Fake or not – I am not sure – however, it was testimony before some US Congressional committee! Not sure if it was a bi-partisan committee or not – probably was since the R. are in charge now!
C-Span carries live congressional sessions and committee testimony. There’s nothing fake about it, except that there is very little testimony and lots of partisan political posturing.
If the most biased news channel on the planet reported this about the dem pork you almost have to believe its true.
Typical R response
Sometimes the truth hurts – doesn’t it?
Yes Ron, typical in as much as it is founded only in truth and fact. That sir is how R’s operate. We deal in fact, we deal in truth and we deal in common sense. Thank you for acknowledging that as being typical for Rs. Ds on the other hand use emotion and feelings as currency which is why they never win in the arena of ideas. It is refreshing to see your honesty. Keep up the good common sense comments.
This appeared to be an article about RVers donating their time to help with outdoor recreation. Instead the comments turned it into another forum about politics. I read RVT for RV news. I quit reading for a while when the comments turn away from the topic.
While I am all for protecting the parks, keeping them open, and particularly helping out those in need as a result of the shutdown, I am afraid that the “business” and “government is bad” mindset of many of the current policy makers may lead them to believe that the funding isn’t necessary if there are volunteers willing to shoulder the burden.
Nice article Gail.
Its refreshing to see a positive view instead of the usual doom & gloom presented by other staff writers.
Odd how people hate corporations making huge profits but are okay with Insurance company’s making huge profits! ACA was never a cost cutting program. Insurance company’s profits are skyrocketing!