Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program

2023 Application Period Is Closed

Thanks for your interest in the Summer 2023 YCC program. We had over 600 applications this year and the application period is now closed. Applicants will be e-mailed of their status by April 3, 2023

 

 

Yellowstone YCC Bravo Crew 2021

 

YCC Alpha Crew 2021 Grizzly Lake Trailhead sign install

Yellowstone is offering its Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program for the 35th consecutive summer in 2023—a month-long residential program for young people between the ages of 15 and 18 years of age. Participants must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States, its territories, or its possessions. They also must provide a valid US Social Security number.

The YCC experience allows teen enrollees and staff the opportunity to learn, work, and recreate in Yellowstone National Park. The program is challenging, educational, fun, and offers participants opportunities to expand their horizons while building skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. No previous wilderness experience is required, but a willingness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program, get along well with others, and maintain a positive attitude are essential for success.

In 2022, a very successful and safe YCC program hosted two sessions with 3 crews each and included 31 teens from across the United States. In 2023, two sessions will again be offered for 44 youth. Crews will camp in various frontcountry and backcountry locations in the park 4 nights per week near their work site. On weekends, the crew returns to the YCC facility to shower, do laundry, participate in recreational activities, and resupply. Mitigations will be in place to reduce the risk of virus transmission including use of HEPA air filters in sleeping and common rooms, possible testing, and other steps to limit the spread of virus.

Teen enrollees will be randomly selected from across the country to participate in this summer program. Enrollees will work 40 hours a week and receive $9.50/hour with a small charge for food (~$3/day). Healthy food options will be prepared by staff and youth while camping or provided by the YCC Cook. While this diet might be different than what youth are used to, the goal is to provide highly nutritious, healthy meals to sustain them during a work-based learning program. YCC participants will work in a variety of weather and terrain conditions while completing projects which may include: fence and bench building; trail construction and/or maintenance; installing "bear boxes" and trailhead signs (see film clips below); general maintenance work; painting/staining; non-native plant control; and collecting data for community science projects and for visitor use management.

 

Cutting concrete form tubes for bear box installation.

Each week, enrollees will spend time participating in resource education, recreation, and NPS and other agency career orientation activities. Many of these activities are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends. Activities may include: hiking, rafting, fishing, ranger-led programs, guest speakers, enrollee and staff presentations, and trips throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Yellowstone's YCC Program is supported by generous donations to Yellowstone Forever and through park entrance fees.

 

2023 Applications

The Summer 2023 YCC program will operate two sessions: June 11 - July 12 & July 16 - August 15.

The 2023 application period is now closed.

Thanks for your interest. We had over 600 applications this year! Enrollee selections will be made using a random method. The National Park Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be e-mailed of their status by April 3, 2023.

Yellowstone YCC Curriculum

The Yellowstone YCC Curriculum can be viewed online. In 2013, a University of Wyoming graduate student assisted the YCC program by developing a full YCC Curriculum. Five themes are examined including Ecological Relationships, Cultural Heritage, Stewardship, Sustainability, and Leadership.

 

Watch the Yellowstone YCC video and the new Learn Your Park video featuring images of Yellowstone's Youth Conservation Corps and Expedition Yellowstone students.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 8 seconds

In the park’s earlier years, bears fed on garbage behind hotels and on visitor snacks along roadways—averaging 48 bear-inflicted human injuries each year from 1931 to 1969. In 1970, the park implemented a new bear management program to restore bears to a diet of natural foods. Human injuries dropped dramatically, as did the need to kill bears. Today, “bear boxes” are a primary tool of Yellowstone’s Grizzly Bear Conservation Program. In 2021, we are at 61% of our goal of 1,907—one for each roadside campsite.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 13 seconds

To improve visitor experience and safety, Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps crews are replacing outdated trailhead exhibits with new, matching ones. Designed in-house and fabricated with funding from Yellowstone Forever, all 96 trailheads should have new signs by the end of 2022.