Inspire youth to respect Rock Art

Event: Volunteer to help at a 8th grade Heritage Day.
More volunteers are still needed! Please consider signing up!!!!

We've all seen the horrors of graffiti across beautiful rock art. Unfortunately it is often young people who do this vandalizing. Here's a chance to contribute to an event that aims to make rock art protectors out of a large group of 8th graders.

Mt Garfield Middle School is hosting a Heritage Day on May 8th. Ute Tribe members, BLM archaeologist and other groups will be on hand to interact with the kids on topics that include Ute interpretation of rock art and landscape, artifact interpretation and the problems posed by artifact theft and leave no trace ethics.

CAS-GJ can host a station on rock art interpretation. After a discussion on the meaning of symbols and how symbols are often tied to experience, the kids will be given paper to make their own symbolic art, spend time guessing the meaning of each others art before revealing what the symbols mean to them. They'll be asked how they would feel if someone painted over their art. Alissa, BLM archaeologist, will be providing training to the volunteers ahead of the event.

The day will last from 7:30am to 2:40pm with a free lunch. Volunteers can work in teams and thus only need to cover part of that time.

We are so lucky to live in the west with its multitude of cultural sites. This is a great opportunity to give back and also contribute to the education of a large group of 8th graders on respecting rock art