Project Planning
YCC staff should develop a YCC project statement and justification for their site that explains how the funding will be used for the YCC program, how it contributes to the NPS mission, and what the benefits are to the public. When planning a YCC program, check that you have a work project plan, which is an internal planning document that assists in the development of work projects, environmental awareness planning, risk assessments, and job hazard analysis. Work project plans are the foundation for all planned activities, and include project costs, supplies, and youth hours.A site’s YCC program can have one or more projects. work project plans may also be reviewed at the regional level to ensure they are appropriate and planned with safety in mind. The YCC staff must complete Work project plans for all YCC members. Some regions may require that a work plan be completed for each project and reviewed or entered into the Project Management Information System (PMIS); however, it is also possible to complete one work plan for the entire YCC program at that specific site. YCC is typically an 8- to 18-week program (if full-time). It cannot exceed more than 90 workdays (which can be non-consecutive) in a calendar year. Use estimates from the previous year’s Work Accomplishments Report as a reference, if one is available.
Regular performance monitoring is essential, and consistent communication is especially important when using cooperative agreements with partner organizations to hire the YCC Crew Leaders. Over time, a site can develop a standard list of YCC projects that can be accomplished year after year (e.g., grounds maintenance for public use facilities, vehicle washing, basic trail maintenance, invasive species removal, visitor services, interpretation programs, historic preservation, fence building, etc.). In addition to these standard projects, the YCC Site Program Manager and other management staff, including (but not limited to) Facility Maintenance Managers, Resource Biologists, and Recreation Planners, should discuss new projects that can be accomplished by YCC members that are appropriate for the season they are working in (e.g., summer, fall, winter, spring). Final approval of YCC projects is determined by each site.A daily or weekly log can be used for day-to-day recording of YCC activities. This log can aid in the preparation of the Work Accomplishments Report and the Annual Report (see Annual Reporting and Evaluation) at the end of the season.Because work projects should clearly reflect the NPS’ mission, they are a crucial way to educate youth not only on the value of the work to their immediate environment but also on the reason for that site’s existence and its relationship to its surrounding communities and other land management agencies. Whether a YCC program is run solely by the site or in cooperation with a partner organization, there needs to be the same quality of understanding of the NPS’ mission area, as well as a range of opportunities provided within the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other public lands.Note, if a YCC member wants to participate in an activity outside the scope of the site’s approved workplan and is not part of the YCC supervisor’s planned activities for the entire YCC group, this needs to be done outside the YCC program work hours. If volunteering, it needs to be separate from the person’s role as a YCC member. Contact the WASO Youth and Young Adult Programs Office or the Volunteers-In-Parks Office for further guidance.
YCC Project Assignments
Acceptable YCC Services
YCC members can be used in almost any capacity (with the exceptions noted below) to complement or supplement existing work, or to complete projects that otherwise would not be completed. Projects that expose YCC members to a variety of conservation, heritage, natural, cultural, research, and resource-related areas will provide broader opportunities for service learning and career path consideration.
Prohibited YCC Services
YCC members are subject to state and local laws and regulations. The NPS provides no legal assistance for misconduct or other violations of the law. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to arrange for legal services on behalf of individuals under 18 years of age. Individuals 18 years of age or older will need to arrange these services themselves.
- YCC members shall not be used in or assigned to regulatory or active law enforcement activities. They are not permitted to issue citations or carry firearms associated with law enforcement activities; however, they may observe and report problems to host site staff.
- YCC members shall not be assigned to hazardous jobs, such as firefighting and operating heavy equipment. The use of mechanized tools or hazardous chemicals that require specialized training, such as chainsaws and lead-based paints, is strictly prohibited.
- Any use of YCC members for tasks that involve safety risks must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the YCC member’s training to perform such work. Special care must be exercised when using YCC members younger than 18 years of age. In these cases, provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as it addresses child labor, apply, as do state and federal labor laws. Adolescent workers are protected by two laws enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): The Fair Labor Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Each state has child labor laws that must be taken into consideration (see Risk Management Policies and Regulations). The Occupational Safety and Health Field Manual provides more in-depth guidance on safe work practices and procedures, and how to identify and report unsafe conditions. This guide is available in electronic format. To obtain a copy, please contact the Risk Management Office.
- YCC members will not collect fees or handle money on behalf of the U.S. government.
- YCC members will not represent themselves as official spokespersons of the U.S. government or the NPS.
Managing Inside Work
YCC members may be hired to work for a period of time in an office or indoor environment as long as all criteria for the program are being met. They may also work indoors for health and safety reasons at any time, even if they usually work outdoors. If YCC members are primarily working indoors, every effort must be made to enable the youth to connect with their surrounding environment. This helps the YCC members develop a better understanding of the communities they are part of and their roles within those communities. When youth are physically immersed in the outdoors, mental well-being and service-learning that is place-based education naturally occurs.
Building YCC Partnerships
Working with a partner organization can enhance and expand a YCC program. Sites hosting YCC programs can use non-profit organizations to provide program supervision and supplement site staff members. As a reminder, partner organizations cannot be used to hire YCC members through the use of cooperative agreements. Working with a partner organization allows participants to gain a broader understanding of how the work connects to other conservation efforts outside the NPS, and it demonstrates the value of working with other conservation groups and how they help wildlife, the environment, public lands, and the American people. Some partnership programs assist state and local governments and non-profit organizations in protecting conservation areas and providing recreational opportunities. Consult with your regional office to determine what partnerships already exist. If there are questions about the financial assistance process, please contact the Financial Assistance office at e-mail us for more detailed information on how to enter into and maintain these partnerships.
View Chapter 4 or go back to the YCC RM landing page.
Last updated: August 20, 2025