Far Flung offers a wide variety of tours and services. River trips range in duration from half day floats to multi day floats. Multi day trips typically last two or three days. Oar rafts, inflatable kayaks, and canoes are used at the discretion of the trip leader based on water level. ATV and jeep tours are also provided and cover a wide area including the national park and Terlingua ranch. Guided hikes are also an option but aren’t as popular as the river or jeep trips. Another guide service is the step on guide. This consists of a Far Flung guide “stepping on” to a guest’s vehicle and going wherever they want, interpreting the whole way. We also rent a wide variety of outdoor river and camping gear. Far Flung also works with the road scholar institute and provides tours for their programs. Far Flung also provides WFA (wilderness first aid) and WAFA (wilderness advanced first aid) certification and training. Lodging is also available in the form of 12 “casitas”.
Far Flung Outdoor Center has no distinct published mission statement, philosophy or objectives, these things can be defined by this quote from the Far Flung website. “All outfitters are not created equal. So, every day our goal is to perform at the top end of our industry, whether it's in the way we welcome you or the quality of the equipment we use or the way our guides are handpicked for skill, outdoor knowledge and friendliness. We want to be your best friend in Big Bend---someone you can trust to help you make the most of your Big Bend adventures”. Far Flung prides itself on providing the best services possible whether it’s on tours, in lodging, or providing the best experience possible”.
Far Flung Outdoor Center has no distinct published mission statement, philosophy or objectives, these things can be defined by this quote from the Far Flung website. “All outfitters are not created equal. So, every day our goal is to perform at the top end of our industry, whether it's in the way we welcome you or the quality of the equipment we use or the way our guides are handpicked for skill, outdoor knowledge and friendliness. We want to be your best friend in Big Bend---someone you can trust to help you make the most of your Big Bend adventures”. Far Flung prides itself on providing the best services possible whether it’s on tours, in lodging, or providing the best experience possible”.
As an intern my primary responsibilities include guiding river trips and working in the front office. I have also had the opportunity to work with and learn from the maintenance and house keeping staff. Below is a list of things i've done within these areas as well as projects I have worked on.
River guiding
-Transport guests and equipment to and from the river.
-Row and paddle oar rafts and canoes.
-Interpret the area and its history to guests.
-Handle the preparation and use of equipment as well as cook meals.
-Ensure guests have a good time from when they exit their vehicle until they depart.
-Wilderness Advanced First Aid Certification
Office
-Interact with and provide information to guests in person, over the phone, and through email.
-Book guided trips and lodging.
-Sell merchandise.
-Prepare monthly sales reports.
-Prepare trip rosters and reports.
-Relay food orders to our distributer (Ben E. Keith).
Maintenance
-Repair/maintain rental casitas.
-Lay down a concrete slab at the fire station.
House Keeping
-Clean rental casitas as well as other buildings within the campus.
Interpretive Project
-Create an interpretive booklet that covers the native and ornemental plants in the casita gardens.
Internship Requirements
- A minimum current 40 hour Wilderness first Aid course with Current CPR certification (This will be included in your first 2 week orientation)
- Proficient on all Microsoft Office programs
- Willing to live in a remote area, with little access to resources
- Willing to camp on multi-day trips
- Be able to work long hours and weeks with a continuous positive outlook.
- Work well with others and follow instructions thoroughly
- Have proper social skills to be able to interact with guests appropriately
- Be able to lift up to 50 lbs
- Previous research of the area and company
-Free housing.
-Competitive pay.
-Location Location Location!!! The Big Bend of Texas is home to not only one of the most natural wild areas of America, but also a National Park, a State Park, and the community of Terlingua.
Achievements
-Learned the basics of river guiding.
-Learned how to oar raft.
-Became familiar with the day to day operations of a successful river company.
-Learned the ins and outs of commercial lodging.
-Professional and personal growth.
Contacting Far Flung
-800-839-7238 or (432) 371-2633
-http://www.bigbendfarflung.com/
-https://www.facebook.com/farflungoutdoorcenter/
