The Backcountry Leadership Program (BLP) provides additional leadership skills and training for those who excelled in a previous Youth Camping session.
Backcountry Leadership Program crews hike deep into secluded wilderness areas and work on intense, challenging, and technical projects, while practicing skills like goal setting, time management, positive motivation, and group leadership.
The Backcountry Leadership Program projects have historically been located in the most remote and pristine areas of the Pacific Northwest and Idaho. Crews often get packed into remote locations with pack-mules, or have even been flown in using small aircraft. Past locations include Idaho’s Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and Washington’s Glacier Peak Wilderness.
Join the Backcountry Leadership Program
Embark on an unparalleled journey of growth and adventure with our Backcountry Leadership Program—where remote wilderness meets transformative leadership experiences.
- For Ages 16-18
- 5 week Duration
- Earn up to $450 per week (with bonuses/food costs added)
job skills focus
Position Overview
NYC’s Backcountry Leadership Program (BLP) is an advanced offering of our Youth Conservation Camping program, with an additional emphasis on leadership and backcountry skills development.
This summer’s Backcountry Leadership Program crews will spend their entire session in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, an incredible area in Northern Idaho known for its wildlife, rugged landscapes, and remote backcountry trails. Participants may encounter wildlife such as elk, deer, mountain goats, and more while working in one of the most scenic regions in the Northwest.
BLP crews will focus much of their session on maintaining the St. Joe River Trail, which runs alongside a protected National Wild and Scenic River. Crews will travel deep into the backcountry with horses and mules to help carry in tools, food, and supplies. This allows participants to experience true backcountry work while building leadership, teamwork, and technical trail skills in a remote and meaningful setting.
On days off from work, recreation opportunities are endless, with access to the region’s mountains, wilderness areas, and rivers known for world-class fishing.
Travel Details
Participants are required to provide their own transportation to and from their orientation and graduation for their specific program. In the event that a participant chooses to leave prior to completion, is asked to leave or is unable to complete the program for any reason, they are still required to provide and fund their transportation home. In the event circumstances require NYC to provide and/or pay for a participant’s transportation home for any reason, the participant and his/her family agree to reimburse NYC, upon demand, for all expenses it incurs.
Requesting School Credit
School Credit requests can only be processed after completion of a program.Â
NYC programs help you learn by doing. Each program follows a carefully developed curriculum with segments on ecology, resource management, work experience, job skills, leadership and life skills. You will learn a lot. However, you will need to talk to the counselor at your school about earning credit for this experience; only your school can make this decision.
To request school credit information be sent to your counselor please email info@nwyouthcorps.org with the following information:
1.) Name of participant
2.) Name of school counselor
3.) Name of school
4.) A way we can send information to your counselor :
     -mailing address
     – email address
   or – fax number
Applying for 2026
To apply for the Backcountry Leadership Program, simply apply below for our Youth Conservation Crew Member position and make a note in your application that you are interested in BLP. Returning NYC Alumni are strongly preferred for this program, however exceptions can be made for applications with strong backcountry experience from another Corps.
Dates-Session 1: June 13-July 18, 2026
Dates-Session 2: July 25-August 19, 2026
Location: Start and end in Boise, ID. Housing is not needed as crews camp together onsite for their entire session. Project locations will take place in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
Please note that dates and locations are subject to change.
Tuition and Benefits
Program Costs:
Tuition Cost: There is a tuition cost for this educational program of $300, with scholarships available based on need. Tuition Assistance is awarded based on need and we are determined to not make tuition a barrier for our programs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us with any questions.
Food Cost: $70 is deducted from pay each week to cover participants’ food expenses, leaving a possible $450-per-week allowance after potential bonuses.
Benefits:
The base stipend is $480 per week
- Plus $20.00 weekly Dependability Bonus
- Plus $20.00 weekly Safety Bonus
Participants leaving the program before graduation will receive a prorated portion of this stipend, calculated to the nearest full day of work, but will forfeit all bonuses.