Our First Month Working For Grand Teton Association (A Non-Profit Partner GTNP)

Moose, WY (62 degrees, blue skies)

We have been working for about a month and will continue until mid October for the non-profit organization called Grand Teton Association (GTA).  It is a partner with the National Park and provides bookstores in the area where the profits benefit the park in a variety of programs and services.  

John is working in the warehouse and I'm an administrative assistant who supports the staff and bookstore managers.  Working here has been a really great opportunity for us. 

There have been a few adjustments such as getting used to the cold weather, snow, and high altitude. After spending the last year and a half in sunny Florida it was a bit of a shock.  

Our campsite which was initially assigned to us was about 10 feet too short and we had to park at an angle just to fit.  This was quickly remedied after a couple of days.  

                                     

Western Bluebird

The breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife over rode all these factors quickly.  It's a great way to start the work day driving past the spectacular mountains each day.  We see moose, elk, and even bears on the way to work each day.  We've had to add some extra commute time due to pulling over frequently to check it all out.  

Grizzly Bear and her cubs

Teton Range

Old Warehouse

We were one of the first employees to arrive. They wanted us here early because the warehouse where all the inventory is stored was moving to a new location. Plus, part of my responsibility in checking in new staff.  

John helped move some of the inventory into the new warehouse. There is a lot of "stuff".  Plus, all the new orders quickly arrived too. Part of his responsibility is receiving inventory and sending it out to all our locations.  There are six main book stores and a few forest satellites.

In their free time the staff have also been organizing the warehouse to make it run more efficiently.  He says he's so lucky to work with such a great group of employees.  Everyone pitches in and they seem to always have a good time despite the hard work.  He especially likes going out to the bookstores and delivery the merchandise.The scenery is spectacular!  At first he came home and collapsed but he's now adjusting to it and seems to like it very much.  

Setting up the new warehouse

Delivery vans & new warehouse

Grand Teton National Park Headquarters

My job is in the park headquarters across from the warehouse.  The GTA staff have a small area in the park building.  Eventually the office staff will move over to the warehouse in some new space but probably not until next year.  

I support the office and bookstore staff in all kinds of ways.  For example, I help the book keeper file and post remits from the bookstores, help the Executive Director get ready for board meetings and special functions, order supplies for all the bookstores,  order change from the bank for the bookstores and coordinate delivery to them, answer phones, open mails, get new staff members their uniforms, parking passes, and name tags, and "other duties as assigned".   The day just flies by and I like working here very much.  It's been by far my most favorite workamping job to date.  

One day I went out to one of the locations that was opening and helped them price inventory.  It's a beautiful bookstore in Colter Bay.I was really impressed with the inventory. The National Park has to approve all items which are sold in the stores and it's nice quality.

It takes a lot of staff members to run the bookstores and warehouse. It's been interesting seeing all the bookstores start to open and get ready for the busy season ahead. I think we are going to like it here very much.  If you are in the area be sure to stop by.