CAP2.JPG (5446 bytes) Joint ANA/CAP Special Projects Program CAP2.JPG (5446 bytes)

chevrondivider.gif (3205 bytes)

ANA has engaged in a unique cooperative program with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) each summer since 1995.  Started by Scott Zeller and Dan Pompei, teenage cadets from Pennsylvania are flown by the United States Air Force (at no cost to ANA) to New Mexico or Arizona to help with service projects on or near the Navajo Reservation. ANA and CAP senior volunteers act as leaders and chaperones. This program is concerned with improving the infrastructure and living conditions of Native Americans on the reservations while educating our youth on other cultures and the benefits of helping others.

2006
Twenty-nine Cadets and Seniors traveled to the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico for a week of work.  They renovated a handicapped man's home that had been damaged by fire, renovated a building that is used by ANA's volunteer Veterinarians on their work trips, helped dismantle a Kiva that will be rebuilt, cleaned the Zuni cemetery, and helped to build adobe bake ovens.  The Cadets were graciously treated to historical tours, cultural dinners, and participated in community events.

2005
The group flew into the Phoenix area and traveled to Second Mesa, Arizona for the work project.  They fixed up a community center along with completing various building projects, such as porches and handicapped ramps, on the Hopi or Navajo reservations.  In addition, they delivered 90 donated computers (20 to Second Mesa and 70 to the Gallup area), school supplies for an accounting school in Gallup, and various food items to a food pantry in the Second Mesa area.

2003
The group stayed at Red Rock State Park again and spent some time painting, setting up vendor stalls and constructing temporary lodging for the upcoming Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial.  In addition, we totally refurbished a house - painting inside and out, installing new flooring and cabinets and general repair work - as well as constructing a handicap access ramp on a local community center.

2002
The lodging this year was at Red Rock State Park in Church Rock, New Mexico, which is just outside Gallup.  Besides doing some work at the park in exchange for lodging, the group built a porch and wheelchair ramp onto an existing hogan and did finishing work (adding porches, painting, and installing cabinets and flooring) on several houses built for the Reservation by the Air Force (see Military Projects).  (Photographs of the trip)

2001
The year we were able to work on various building projects including handicap access ramps in Lupton, Arizona, housing foundations in Twin Lakes and some other repair projects around Gallup. This group included about 15 adults and 25 CAP cadets.

2000
This year found us once again at Mount Taylor, this time working with NIYLP, Builders Without Boarders and Americorp.  Our main project was a straw bail hogan to be used for lodging and ceremonies at the camp (photograph).  We also continued work on the adobe amphitheater.

1999
In 1999 we worked in conjunction with the National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP) at Sacred Mountain Camp on Mount Taylor near Grants, NM.  The project this year focused on building an adobe amphitheater in the shape of a turtle. (The turtle plays a key role in the formation of the North American continent in many Native American creation stories.)  A gentleman from NIYLP stated that he had never seen a group in 17 years who did so much work.  Our team accomplished more in 5 days than other groups altogether had done in a year.

1998
The annual summer project in New Mexico found the ANA and CAP volunteers working at the Bread Springs Chapter House in conjunction with Indian Health Services (IHS). We built accessibility ramps for high-risk elderly and physically challenged Navajo residents who live in remote sections of the "Big Reservation". Additionally, the group helped in the distribution of winter clothing to those most in need.

1995 to 1997
Projects in the early years of the trip included renovations and repairs and the Sacred Heart Retreat center, repairs and re-roofing of the only shelter for unwed Navajo mothers in New Mexico, and repairs to the facility where medical students are housed.

 

Home | History | Facts | Programs | Members | Calendar | Contact Information | Donation Form

Date this page was last edited: 10/13/2008