ANASAZI Foundation is looking for people with a love for people, wilderness and helping others. Come ready to learn, teach, and grow as a TrailWalker!As a nonprofit wilderness therapy program headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, ANASAZI Foundation gives young people an opportunity, through a primitive living experience and a philosophy that invites healing at the hands of nature, to effect a change of heart—a change in one's whole way of walking in the world. Many of the unique and life-changing teachings at ANASAZI were inspired by two of its co-founders: Ezekiel C. Sanchez (a Totonac Indian whose given name is Good Buffalo Eagle) and his wife, Pauline Martin Sanchez (a Navajo native whose given name is Gentle White Dove). These teachings have helped families turn their hearts to one another, begin anew, and walk in harmony in the wilderness of the world. ANASAZI's programs serve adolescents (12-17) and young adults (18+) struggling with lack of motivation, defiance, mild mood disorders, drug and alcohol experimentation, Internet addiction, entitlement issues, and other self-defeating behaviors. The 49- or 56-day (minimum stays) wilderness-based, residential treatment programs are rooted in the belief that all young people—regardless of their struggles or at-risk choices—possess an inherent seed of greatness.
|
Founded in 1988, Anasazi Foundation is—and remains—one of the foundational wilderness therapy programs in the United States. It is also the ONLY wilderness therapy program that operates as a non-profit.| What You'll Be Doing | I have learned that the point of life's walk is not where or how far I move my feet, but how I am moved in my heart... —The Seven Paths, by Anasazi Foundation TrailWalkers (direct care field staff) walk the trail with the same food and gear as our YoungWalkers (students) and in so doing they share in the same experience as those they are guiding forward. Your primary responsibility is to live an exemplary life, teach healthy life skills, and maintain a safe and caring environment. The wilderness program in the backcountry of Tonto National Forest gives YoungWalkers an opportunity to be in an environment free from clutter and distraction—to ponder their lives, take responsibility for past choices and prepare to begin anew.
ANASAZI places a great deal of emphasis on TrailWalkers developing healthy relationships with the YoungWalkers and utilizing those relationships, the wilderness, and primitive skills as a medium to teach and help the YoungWalker learn the skills and technologies of the ancient ones and walk forward. You'll teach YoungWalkers how to build fires, cook their own meals (food packs are replenished weekly) and build shelters to protect themselves from the elements. Your group may hike up to 10 miles in a day and seldom camp in the same place more than two nights.
|
||
| Work Schedule |
TrailWalkers are expected to work 8-day shifts in the field (remote backcountry areas) with 6 days off in between. A MINIMUM of 6-12 consecutive months of employment is necessary. Seasonal employees may be hired as needed during the summer months (May–August).
|
||
| Perks & Rewards |
If invited to training, ANASAZI will provide all the gear a TrailWalker will need to work on the trail (except for personal clothing and boots). Compensation starts at $13.85/hour, which works out to about $240/day. Full-time TrailWalkers that commit to 6 months or longer will receive a benefits package 60 days after date of employment.
|
||
| The Essentials |
TrailWalkers must be at least 21 years of age and willing to live by high personal standard of conduct on and off the trail: being honest; abstaining from illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, criminal activity, pornography; and living in a way when not on trail that would be an example to the young people ANASAZI serves. This position is well suited for those who have an interest in the fields of youth leadership development, recreation management, psychology, social work, corrections, juvenile justice, family sciences, or education.
|
||
| Your First Move & Connections |
If you have a love for people, wilderness and helping others, fill out an application. After review of your completed application (that will be reviewed by a team of 3 or more individuals), you will be contacted (by email or phone) to schedule a virtual interview within two weeks. After the interview, you will be informed if you have been invited to an upcoming 8-day TrailWalker training within a week. A final hiring decision will be made after completion of the training week.
ANASAZI Foundation
|
||
| Navigation | 
|
