If you want to leave the Family

aka, The Children of God, aka The Family of Love, aka a whole bunch of other names, and as so often is the case, all your family remain IN the group so that when you leave, there is no support structure for you and no one to help you get started in this life away from the shelter of the commune, here is a tip:

A lot of college kids and even high school kids do this, they work for a summer or a season at a national park or recreation area. Often, your room and board is supplied for you so you don't have to worry about where you will stay and how you will eat. All your income from your job you can save and use it for when you do leave and can get an apartment and start college. The manager of recruitment for Yosemite Concessin Services Corporation states that, "We're looking for people who have an adventurous spirit, who aren't afraid of hard work (sounds like F. kids to me) and who love the outdoors." Not a whole lot of requirements and they will train you for the positions that are open. Even now there are many positions available for this summer and early fall.

How to apply:
Xanterra manages concessions at a number of parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Petrified Forest, Mount Rushmore, Crater Lake, Death Valley and Everglades National Park. They still have openings for about 700 people. Go to www.xanterra.com or call 303-338-6000.

Delaware North Cos. runs the concessions for Yosemite, Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park, Niagara Falls State Park and some at the Grand Canyon. They still have positions available for this season. Call 209-372-1237 or go to www.yosemitepark.com.

This is a great way to earn income with no job skills and also get to know a whole group of great people. A lot of people live this way. I'm working right now for a river rafting company and all their guides are college age. A lot of them work this for the summer or inbetween classes. Some of them do it for a living, they get to work outdoors and live in a tent so they have no living expenses, then they pack up and go on to the next river or some other place of excitement. My son worked one summer at the Grand Tetons. He came back with enough money in his pocket for a nice bike and the downpayment on an apartment, plus food for awhile, it was great.

Of course, this is all for the U.S., but I bet other countries have similar situations.

Webmaster - can we put this in resources? Is that a good idea or not?