Youth Community Program

Community crews meet at a designated site every morning. Members work an average of 6.5-7 hours a day depending on travel time. Crews work on local conservation service-projects under the supervision of trained team leaders. Crews then return to the same meeting place at the end of the work day. Participants gain real world experience while enhancing their community’s natural environment.

Through a focus on local projects, members will become more connected and invested with the area in which they live and can take pride in the benefits they create for their neighborhood.

Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) crews complete urban forest health projects for five weeks in OR, WA, and ID. Experienced field staff provide training and education on urban forestry projects such as tree planting and maintenance, wildfire protection, and invasive plant management. Participants join a close-knit team of 8 crew members and two crew leaders, committed to playing a vital role in improving our urban forests and the environment (additional details here.)

Sound to Summit crews are comprised of youth (15-18) and two adult leaders. crews work for five weeks in total. The first four weeks follow our traditional Youth Community crew format, where crews work with the local city and county parks departments completing a variety of local community conservation projects. The crews’ fifth week will take them to a nearby National Park to complete conservation projects, recreate, and learn about natural resources and the outdoors (additional details here.)

Portland Community crews complete outdoor conservation projects for five weeks in the Portland area. Experienced field staff provide training and education on conservation projects such as tree planting, fuels reduction, invasive plant removal, trail construction, and fencing. You join a close-knit team of 8-9 crew members and two crew leaders, committed to play a vital role in improving our public lands and the environment (additional details here.) 

Community Programs are provided each year only in certain communities in the northwest and youth must reside in these locations.

This is tough work. We work in all weather and our projects are hands-on. We value community, connection with others, and mutual support. All training is provided, and you do not need prior experience to apply. If you haven’t had access to the outdoors but are interested in learning, come join us; this land is your land.

School Credit requests can only be processed after completion of a program. 

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