The center is a very comfortable place to stay thanks mostly to Jim's wife, Carol Cunkle. "I like to say I'm everything but the archaeologist, but of course wouldn't want to put anyone off with my hubris. My one responsibility is to bring in people who in turn, through their participation fund this project. This entails PR, marketing, promotion, and administration. My second job is overseeing operations of the kitchen and bunkhouse, and sharing the cooking duties."

The research at Raven Site is supported by guided tours of the site, participation in excavation programs with the on site archaeologists, guided hikes, and the gift shop revenues. All proceeds go directly into the research. Participants ranging in age from 7 years to 90 years old have excavated and worked in the labs. School groups, senior citizen groups, elder hostles, graduate students, foreign students, anyone with an interest and passion for archaeology is welcome. After a day of participation you will know if you are cut out to be an archaeologist. Many a graduate student has changed his/her major after working in the field a day or two.

Hikes out into the canyon to visit the petroglyph and shrine sites usually begin from the White Mountain Archaeological Center at 1:00 PM daily. Morning hikes and all day excursions are also available by reservation. The rock art of the Southwest reveals a wealth of information for researchers to investigate. Most of the petroglyphs that you will see were created by the prehistoric shaman to draw the sympathetic magic from the stone to heal, protect, insure successful hunts and crops and to bring the rain. Your guide will discuss the nature of these depiction's, why they were created and what several researchers have interpreted and translated the symbols to mean. Be sure to bring your camera. The canyon and river present a majestic back drop for the wildlife that you will encounter. The daily afternoon petroglyph hike is a moderate two mile excursion. The pace is slow and there are many stops along the way at different petroglyph panels. Mid way through the hike there is a stop at the river to relax and enjoy the scenery. Shrine sites that are rarely seen will be respectfully visited during this trek.

The White Center haas flexible accomodations: you can stay in the bunkhouse, pitch a tent, or stay in your own RV (as long as it's self-contained). Three square meals are provided, and the kitchen will try to accomodate any dietary request. In season, most of the vegetables come from White Mountain's own garden. If you play a non-electrical instrument you'll want to bring it along. The evening campfires seem to draw the music out of everyone.