The Field And Support Team: FAST Program

The FAST Program is an exciting new program offered by Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) which is based in Eugene, Oregon. In 2011, a team of eight AmeriCorps members will form the Field And Support Team whose efforts will focus on conservation projects throughout the northwest. During the term of service, FAST members will serve alongside Youth Corps Field Staff providing leadership and logistical support to NYC’s summer programs.

The FAST Program's schedule will include training in both Field and Logistical Operations of Northwest Youth Corps, as well as completing conservation projects and technical onsite trainings throughout Oregon and Washington. By the end of the 12 week period, FAST participants will have a skill-set which will allow them to pursue further leadership and/or conservation jobs or careers. The initial training will introduce members to conservation and technical project skills, what life is like for the youth who participate in NYC programs, as well as focus on group management, project management and judgment skills. This program will focus on honing and polishing the skill-set of trail and conservation work as well as demonstrating the changes in the work format of future projects. The FAST training curriculum is being finalized and should be considered tentative and subject to change.

The rest of the term will be divided between trainings and service, with field work being the main focus. Members will spend individual weeks in town helping with logistical support of the summer programs. These weeks will enable them to observe and participate in the behind-the-scenes operations of the non-profit sector. As skill development progresses, members will begin to engage with NYC Contacts which range from Forest Service, Parks Service, The Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife, and local Watershed councils. Time off during the field season will mimic that of traditional Field Staff, which usually alternates weekends. In addition, during the middle of the term of service and coinciding with the mid-season break, members will have several days off.

Conservation projects include, but are not limited to, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, noxious weed removal, fuels management/silviculture, campground maintenance and other projects. Frequently, projects are located in extremely remote settings, often with little contact with the "outside" world. All told this program spends at least 70% of their time out and away from town or city areas. A simplified breakdown of the “out-of-town” time spent in the FAST Program would show that 90% is spent doing Field Projects while the remaining 10% is strictly traveling to and from these projects.