About
Grand Canyon Youth runs educational outdoor expeditions where participants go through whitewater, hike through ancient canyons, and play in waterfalls. On these trips, young people work as part of a team while guides and field staff lead hikes, set up camp, cook meals, clean dishes, maintain toilet systems, and provide care and repair to boats and equipment. Volunteers support the program by checking tents, packing sleep kits, and tidying the gear borrowing room.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Business hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Grand Canyon Youth offers educational outdoor expeditions that connect young people to the transformative power of the rivers and canyons of the Southwest. Most expeditions run from March through July, with most river programs on the San Juan River, the Colorado River’s Diamond Down section, and the Verde River’s TAPCO to TuziRAP section, along with five Grand Canyon trips each year. The organization states that its programs offer youth the opportunity to experience freedom, self reliance, community building, and wonder.
Field staff consists of river guides and drivers, and guides are hand-selected for their skills and interest in sharing the natural world with young people. River guides must be at least 18 years old and have Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and Epi certifications, a Food Handler’s Certificate, experience on the sections they boat through, and must pass a pre-employment background and driving record check and drug test. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, have a working mobile phone, a valid driver’s license, five years of driving experience, and must pass a pre-employment background and driving record check and drug test. Driver responsibilities include pre-drive safety checks and loading of vehicles, post-drive clean-up and fueling vehicles, and gear return and cleaning as needed.
Grand Canyon Youth states that it is located on, and visits, the ancestral homelands of the Diné (Navajo), Havasu Baaja (Havasupai), Hoputuh Shi-ni-mu (Hopi), Hwal-Pai (Hualapai), Nde (Apache Western/Yavapai), Nuciu (Ute), and Numa (Paiute) Peoples. The organization states a commitment to social justice, including being anti-racist, anti-ableist, and gender inclusive. A JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Council advises the board and staff on policy and practice related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and a Health Advisory Task Force advises on policy and practice surrounding medical, dietary, and mental health related topics.
The leadership team includes Emma Wharton (Executive Director), Chantal Mosman (Assistant Director), Margeaux Bestard (Field Staff Director), Justin Gallen (Logistics Manager), Clare Magneson (Development Director), Cassandra Roberts (Expedition Director), and Erin Widman (Expedition Manager). Volunteers also help out at local community events in Flagstaff and at the annual fundraiser. One quote shared by the program is from Everett Ruess: “I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always I want to live more intensely and richly. Why muck and conceal one’s true longings and loves, when by speaking of them one might discover one’s self?”
Last updated January 16, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: Business hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Grand Canyon Youth offers educational outdoor expeditions that connect young people to the transformative power of the rivers and canyons of the Southwest. Most expeditions run from March through July, with most river programs on the San Juan River, the Colorado River’s Diamond Down section, and the Verde River’s TAPCO to TuziRAP section, along with five Grand Canyon trips each year. The organization states that its programs offer youth the opportunity to experience freedom, self reliance, community building, and wonder.
Field staff consists of river guides and drivers, and guides are hand-selected for their skills and interest in sharing the natural world with young people. River guides must be at least 18 years old and have Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and Epi certifications, a Food Handler’s Certificate, experience on the sections they boat through, and must pass a pre-employment background and driving record check and drug test. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, have a working mobile phone, a valid driver’s license, five years of driving experience, and must pass a pre-employment background and driving record check and drug test. Driver responsibilities include pre-drive safety checks and loading of vehicles, post-drive clean-up and fueling vehicles, and gear return and cleaning as needed.
Grand Canyon Youth states that it is located on, and visits, the ancestral homelands of the Diné (Navajo), Havasu Baaja (Havasupai), Hoputuh Shi-ni-mu (Hopi), Hwal-Pai (Hualapai), Nde (Apache Western/Yavapai), Nuciu (Ute), and Numa (Paiute) Peoples. The organization states a commitment to social justice, including being anti-racist, anti-ableist, and gender inclusive. A JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Council advises the board and staff on policy and practice related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and a Health Advisory Task Force advises on policy and practice surrounding medical, dietary, and mental health related topics.
The leadership team includes Emma Wharton (Executive Director), Chantal Mosman (Assistant Director), Margeaux Bestard (Field Staff Director), Justin Gallen (Logistics Manager), Clare Magneson (Development Director), Cassandra Roberts (Expedition Director), and Erin Widman (Expedition Manager). Volunteers also help out at local community events in Flagstaff and at the annual fundraiser. One quote shared by the program is from Everett Ruess: “I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always I want to live more intensely and richly. Why muck and conceal one’s true longings and loves, when by speaking of them one might discover one’s self?”
Last updated January 16, 2026.
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