Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) crews help create robust urban forests that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health and well-being.
Urban and Community Forest Program Overview:
Youth Conservation Corps crews–for individuals ages 15-18–will participate in a five-week day program format, working Monday-Friday with weekends off. Summer Youth Conservation crews will average 32 hours per week working on urban forestry projects and eight hours a week engaged in education and training. Each crew will have eight youth members and two adult crew leaders. Participants will receive a stipend, gain essential work skills and professional experience, and be eligible to receive high school credit.
Join the urban and community forestry program
Northwest Youth Corps’ Urban and Community Forestry crews integrate team-based work projects, education, and professional trainings into a program that encourages personal growth and the development of valuable work skills and experience.
- For Ages 15-18
- 5-weekduration
- Members earn up to $520/week (with potential bonuses added)
job skills focus
position overview
2026 crew details
UCF Crew members gain real world experience while enhancing their community’s natural environment. Through a focus on local projects, Crew members will become more connected and invested with the area in which they live and can take pride in the benefits they create for these areas.Â
Participants will develop technical skills working on a variety of conservation projects while developing the soft skills needed to be successful in any work setting.
A critical element of the program is the educational curriculum that accompanies the experience. The curriculum is based around preparing the next generation of stewardship leaders.
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
2026 youth ucf dates
Idaho:
Session 1: June 1-July 2
Session 2: July 7-August 7
Oregon:
Session 1: June 15-July 17
Session 2: July 21-August 21
Washington:
Session 1: June 22-July 24
Session 2: July 28-August 28
*Please note that these dates are subject to change.
Location:
All crews’ projects will take place in their respective community: Boise, ID; Eugene, OR; Tacoma, WA. Crew Members will need to commute to the central meeting location each day (local housing is not provided for this program). Project locations generally include city parks, public lands, and community gardens. 
Tuition and Benefits
Members Receive:
The base stipend is $96.00 a day (up to a possible $480.00 weekly stipend)
- 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.
Program Costs:
Youth Community programs have a tuition of $200. Tuition assistance is available to help cover most of these costs. Tuition Assistance is awarded based on need and we are determined to not make tuition a barrier for our programs, please contact us with any questions.
