Take an opportunity to travel to our Tribal Renewable Energy Program’s headquarters on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Although it is only a five hour drive from the Trees, Water & People office in Fort Collins, Colorado, a trip to Pine Ridge will offer volunteers an unforgettable cultural experience and an opportunity to help get the land and Solar Warrior Farm ready for another season and to make progress on completing our three straw bale houses! This is a wonderful way to give back, make new friends, and learn about the Lakota culture.
Volunteer Trip #1 – Lakota Journey of Fire and Service
Where: Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center, Pine Ridge, South Dakota
When: Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, April 27
Who: Flexible volunteers who like adventure, hard work, lots of fun, and all kinds of weather. Volunteers 14-18 are welcome with adult companions.
Why: To help clean up the land and get the Solar Warrior Farm ready for another season
This trip will be very special as it is when we bring up a team of fire dancers who will work during the day and spin fire at night in an amazing cross-cultural experience!
Volunteers are invited to arrive any time on Thursday, April 24. We will host full work days on Friday and Saturday and a half day on Sunday. Projects will end by 1:00 pm on Sunday, and volunteers are welcome to head home any time on Sunday, April 27 or stay longer and help us work on our Strawbale houses (see below). Projects will vary and will not take place in a climate-controlled environment, so be prepared for any weather!
Volunteer Trip #2 – Building Affordable and Energy Efficient Tribal Housing
Where: Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota
When: Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, May 4
Who: Flexible volunteers who like adventure, hard work, lots of fun, and all kinds of weather. Volunteers 14-18 are welcome with adult companions.
Why: To continue our work on our three Strawbale homes. A great helping and learning experience!
Projects will vary and will not take place in a climate-controlled environment!
Food:
- TWP will provide volunteers with meals and snacks during the trip.
- Food purchased by TWP will be simple and tasty, but feel free to bring any food you desire. We will send out a meal plan as the date comes near.
- TWP cooking equipment and utensils will be available for use.
- Volunteers will help in preparing all meals and with cleaning up afterwards.
Transportation:
- All volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and related costs getting to Pine Ridge.
- We will be happy to coordinate carpools where possible.
- Our facility is located down a short dirt road. Many sedans have traveled it without any problems.
Lodging:
- Campers on the Red Cloud Renewable Energy campus must bring their own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag and pad, etc.). Weather is unpredictable, so only those comfortable in the outdoors should camp.
- There will be a variety of bunks available in Quonset #1, but please bring your own bedding (sheets, blanket, pillow, etc.). The room may be co-ed and may have up to 10 people per room.
Please email the following information:
- Name of all people in your volunteer party
- Email addresses for all people in your volunteer party
- Your cell phone number
- Which days you have available to travel to and work in Pine Ridge
- Where you will be coming from and returning to (e.g. many people will be coming from Fort Collins, CO)
- Whether you will be camping or require a bunk in our loft (first come, first served!)
- Do you need a ride?
- Can you offer a ride – if so, to how many people?
- Any other questions you may have.
Once we have confirmed your spot, he will email you directions to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center and provide you with additional details.
For more information and to register as a volunteer for trip #1, please email Mariah at nonsequitur47@yahoo.com.
For more information and to register as a volunteer for trip #2, please email Jeff Hargis at jeff@treeswaterpeople.org.
Sustainable Development, Sustainable Livelihoods 