YCC2005

Cowpens National Battlefield South Carolina, National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) 2005

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) was established by Public Law 93-408 and is a summer employment program for young men and women between the ages of 15 - 18 who work, earn, and learn together on projects that further the development and conservation of the natural resources of the United States. "In essence, the YCC hopes to capture the idealism of youth and create an environment where such idealism can be put into practice."

The YCC Objectives are:

Accomplish needed conservation work on public lands
Provide gainful employment for 15 - 18 year old youths from all social, economic, ethnic, and racial classifications
Develop an understanding and appreciation in participating youths of the nation's natural and environmental heritage

From June 6 - August 5, 2005, Cowpens National Battlefield employed 8 teenagers to work on much-needed battlefield restoration and other projects. The group accomplished a lot and benefited the park tremendously!

Safety is an important aspect of the YCC program.

The team began the day with stretches and safety talks.

The group also learned to work as a team to solve problems.

In addition, they learned the importance of protecting and preserving our natural resources.

At the time of the battle, the Cow Pens consisted of mostly hardwood trees. As part of the battlefield restoration program, hardwood seedlings and saplings that were planted in 2002 - 2003. These young trees were being choked by weeds, and YCC enrollees pulled grass and weeds to enable the trees to receive adequate light and water to grow.

Before

During

After

As another part of the battlefield restoration, they dug up and removed old homesite and other building foundations which were left over from before the park was expanded many years ago. Three dumptruck loads were hauled away.

The group worked in the picnic area scrubbing and pressure washing tables and benches. They dragged brush and fallen limbs from around the picnic area and piled them so that they could be chipped. They also worked in the Visitor Center parking lot to remove weeds from around the curbing.

The 225th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens will be in January 2006. The YCC helped the park staff prepare for the event by rolling over 2000 paper cartridges to be used in weapons firing demonstrations.

Cowpens National Battlefield is grateful for the work that these 8 young people accomplished this summer!

http://www.nps.gov/cowp/YCC2005.htm; Last Updated: 8/10/2005 1:29 PM; Virginia Fowler