Here is some of the thinking we went through when we were
considering this volunteer gig in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Nevada
desert:
·
We like new adventures.
·
We look for volunteer opportunities with
housing.
·
We want to go to places we have not been to.
·
We look for places that have lots of things
around them.
·
We hope to do interesting work that will bring
new understandings.
When we first considered the Nevada opportunity, it met most
of our ‘check-boxes’. New adventures, new places, lots of things around us, new
understandings, and housing. But, and this is a big but, the ‘housing’ that the
ad we replied to came with a catch, it was shared housing. The more we learned
about the housing, the more cautious we became. It would not only be shared
housing, but a small house shared with 5-6 young people (18-24 year old camp
counselors). We spent a lot of time last winter thinking about the pluses and
minuses and obviously chose to come here nonetheless. Basically, the area and
access to other places in this vicinity overcame our concern about the housing.
Well, as we wrap us our last week, we can do some assessing.
Was it great to come to this area – yes! We have been to Yosemite twice, Lassen
Volcanic National Park three times (we had never even heard of this park
before), Mammoth Lakes, Virginia City (historic mining town), Lake Tahoe
(numerous times) Reno (numerous times), Point Reyes National Park, Great Basin
National Park, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Russian River Brewing, etc! Did we learn
new thing about this place and part of the world – yes! Did we have new
adventures – yes!
But, back to the but. How did the housing go? To be blunt, and I apologize for the word
choice, it sucked! The 5-6 counselors turned out to be 8. The promised internet
never materialized. Nor did the big TV with cable, the queen-sized bed, etc. We
learned to forgo internet. We slept on a full-sized bed. We were glad we
brought a small TV with us in the van. And we learned to go to war.
By war I mean that we were at constant alert to keep the children
(as we call them – Laura prefers the term ‘monsters’ but I think that is a
disservice to monsters) and their messes in place. We set rules immediately. We
reinforced them immediately. We scowled. Reminded. Were jerks (more so me than
Laura), and when necessary threw their dirty dishes outside if they left them
in the sink. We avoided being at the house as much as possible when they were
there. (5 of the 8 weeks the children were away all day and overnight Monday
through Friday for an overnight camp.) Additionally, we work Thursday through
Saturday and would leave every Sunday morning and not return until Wednesday
afternoon. Each Wednesday we came back we would ‘de-louse’ the house including
vacuuming, bleaching the floors, getting rid of the trash, and all the
children’s junk that was left around and throwing it, rather rudely I might
add, by their doors.
We built a cocoon-like suite in our bedroom (which we
installed a key-lock on immediately on arrival). We used our camp chairs as our
‘couch,’ our cooler as our end table, and the previously mentioned TV as our
‘entertainment’ center. We ate our meals in the room, hang out in the room, and
keep the door closed at all times! On the rare occasion when we have cleaned
the house and the children aren’t home, we may eat in the kitchen, but I
emphasize the rareness of this.
We’ve made the best out of the situation, as you may expect,
but I wouldn’t recommend this to others! But, we also are not sure we would not
make the same decision again. We have really enjoyed all the things here we
have done and what we have learned about the area. We enjoyed having our boys
come and visit as well as catching up with our brother in law Rob and his
daughter Claire. Just now that we have ‘experienced’ shared housing, I don’t
think we will be doing this again anytime soon!
By the way, if you haven’t been able to tell, we use the
word ‘children’ disparagingly – these people should know and act better!
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