GRIT Volunteers: Our Biggest Crew Yet!
By Hannah Moses
Programs & Volunteer Coordinator
This year was our biggest student summer volunteer crew yet. Eighteen students completed the summer program — including some first-timers and some in their third summer with us! The acronym GRIT (George Ranch Interpretive Teen) really captures the essence of volunteering at the Ranch — a strong character and a willingness to get dirty!
The GRITs did a little bit of everything this summer. Their primary responsibility was to help tell the story of the families of the George Ranch. Several of the GRITs delved into researching historic figures so they could tell the story from the perspective of someone who lived during that time. They also helped run our Hands-On History summer program and taught guests of all ages about crafts and activities of the past.
But these GRITs did so much more than what was assigned to them: They learned to cook over an open fire, tend the horses, knit, embroider, play 19th-century baseball, explore Victorian parlor games, bake in a cast-iron stove and much more. They even celebrated two birthdays with homemade ice cream in the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home. There was also one task they did this year that they had never done before – construction.
Andrew Alexander, a returning GRIT, took on the task of building a façade for a well at the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home site. He brought many of his own tools and his family donated many of the supplies. When you go to the 1860s site and see their new “well,” know that the staff only provided assistance—the labor and expertise was provided by the GRITs! You also will want to check out the newly-chinked 1860s bathrooms. Under the supervision of lead cowboy Justin Berry, the GRITs spent several days in the August heat mixing and pasting new clay in between the logs on the 1860s restrooms. Their work is fantastic!
At the end of the summer, we held an appreciation event for the GRITs and their families. We opened the Park after hours for the GRIT families to tour the houses and see their students give the house tours and show off their projects. We are so thankful these teenagers chose to make the Ranch part of their summer plans. Their enthusiasm kept us on our toes during the hottest and slowest time of the year. They worked hard at every task set before them and continually pushed for new information and new skills. Regardless of the weather or how many layers of clothing they were wearing, they never gave up. When I think of the word grit, I now think of that group of exceptional young people.
Want to learn more about our summer teen volunteer program? Click here or call Hannah at 281-343-0218 x222.
