Young Adult Program

• Participants work on physically demanding conservation projects in all kinds of weather and terrain.
• We focus intentionally on the concept of community within our crews, which means we focus on being present with one another and do not use cell phones during work and camp activities (we intentionally “unplug”).
• Participants engage in many group activities each day to help the crew function, including meal prep, water treatment, and tool maintenance, followed by a family-style dinner and formal educational sessions. (We also provide day programs. See Urban and Community Forestry and Community Wildfire Protection Corps.)
• Participants are actively mentored and empowered by their leader and expected to take on increasing leadership roles within the crew, including acting as a “leader of the day/week” by the end of the program.

Leadership Development Program (LDP) crews, which provide leadership training opportunities to those interested in pursuing employment with Northwest Youth Corps or other similar outdoor programs. See LDP.

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. 

Through these challenging and rewarding experiences, our programs consistently help members become resilient, disciplined, empathetic and strong. A high value is placed upon interpersonal dynamics and the development of robust workplace skillsets.