YCC Reference Manual - Chapter 1: Program Structure

Program Structure

Authority

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) will be administered in accordance with Director’s Order #26: Youth and Young Adult Programs, Public Law 93-408, and the interagency Letter of Cooperation found in the 1999 YCC Interagency Reference Manual. Note that the YCC is hosted by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The organization and management of individual YCC projects will be guided by program objectives, available budget, and guidelines established by the National Park Service (NPS). Within these objectives, individual program operations, public information, and community relations concerning YCC will be the responsibility of the host site.

Program Eligibility

The law states the program “shall be open to youth from all parts of the country, of both sexes, and youth of all social, economic, and racial classifications, with all Corps members receiving compensation consistent with work accomplished, and with no person being employed as a member of the Corps for a term in excess of ninety days” during any calendar year. The minimum eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. Must be at least 15 years of age before or on the first day of work and must not have reached 19 years of age during the duration of the program at the host site where they are employed.
2. Must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, its territories, its trust territories, or possessions.
3. Must possess a Social Security number and have a work permit (if required) before the first working day as a YCC member.

Youth selected for future YCC seasons after a successful first year may be employed as YCC Youth Peer Leaders and paid a 15% higher hourly wage than regular YCC members.

YCC Objectives

The stated purpose of the YCC is to further the development and maintenance of the natural resources of the United States by America’s youth. In doing so, the program prepares youth for the ultimate responsibility of maintaining and managing these resources for the American people. There are three equally important objectives as reflected in the law:

1. Accomplish needed conservation work on public lands.
2. Provide gainful employment for our nation’s youth.
3. Develop in the participating youth an understanding and appreciation of the nation’s natural environment and heritage.

These objectives are accomplished in ways that offer YCC members an opportunity to increase their knowledge and leadership skills. Participants establish a work ethic, learn how to relate to peers and supervisors, and work with others. The specific design of each YCC program may vary depending on the location. The following are requirements for every YCC program:

1. All YCC members, including YCC Youth Peer Leaders, must be hired through the NPS Federal Personnel Payroll System (FPPS).
2. YCC Crew Leaders and YCC staff responsible for program implementation may be hired in various ways, including as NPS employees, from a friend’s group, or using a task agreement under one of the vetted 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Program – Youth Engagement and Development cooperative agreement holders (see Building YCC Partnerships). View a current list of active 21CSC Master Cooperative Agreements. At least one YCC staff needs to be an NPS employee to supervise the youth.
3. The program’s organization follows the model below.
4. YCC may be structured as day programs or overnight programs.
5. For further guidance on setting up a YCC program at your site, you can contact e-mail us.

Types of Programs

Day Programs

Day programs provide paid daytime work activities. YCC members live in their own offsite lodging and commute to the site each day.

1. Daytime paid work projects are conducted by the YCC program on NPS lands, or in partnership with another YCC program that may or may not be part of the National Park System
2. YCC members report to the NPS site to begin the workday and onsite supervision must be provided during non-work hours by the implementing site for any youth under age 18.
3. Projects may include periodic overnight work assignments to other locations, such as in wilderness areas, where there may be a need to set up a temporary camp site. Overnight stays must include onsite supervision and provision of meals to YCC members.

Overnight Programs

Overnight programs provide lodging and meals to YCC members four to seven nights per week. YCC members typically live in group housing and are paid for daytime work activities.

1. Federally owned facilities may be used to house YCC members for overnight programs.
2. Food, lodging, and laundry expenses may be included in program costs and incurred by the YCC program, not by the YCC members.
3. Onsite supervision must be provided during non-work hours by the implementing site for any YCC members under age 18.
4. YCC members may bring—and be responsible for maintaining—their own bedding, towels, toiletries, and other personal items for use during the program.

View Chapter 2 or go back to the YCC RM landing page.