Teens can help in state parks this summer
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications from high school students for the Virginia State Parks' Youth Conservation Corps program this summer.
About 125 YCC participants will work on improving wildlife and fisheries habitats, building and restoring trails and campgrounds, improving forests and shorelines, and beautifying landscapes.
Participants will be 14to 17-year-old high school students who demonstrate an interest in protecting Virginia's environment. They must be 14 by June 1.
No experience is necessary, the department said, but it noted that participants will do physically demanding outdoor work. It added that a positive attitude, an interest in learning, curiosity about nature, and the physical ability and desire to work on outdoor projects are important factors in the selection process.
The three-week sessions will run from June 21 to July 11 and from July 19 to Aug. 8 in about a dozen state parks across Virginia.
YCC members receive room, board, T-shirts and work-related equipment, plus a $500 stipend at the end of the three weeks.
The application deadline is April 11. For information and applications, interested youths can call (703) 583-5497, e-mail or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov. --
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Reader Reactions
The YCC summer program is an excellent experience for teens! My daughter volunteered for the program and received a life experience that compares to no other. She lived in a state park with 10 other girls for 3 weeks where they worked as a team led by not only their supervisors but also by park rangers and at times, the park manager himself. She received an education about the parks and conservation, room & board, had use of the park pool, went on weekend outings, acquired a sense of accomplishment and independence, and as a bonus for completing the program she got $500! Not a bad deal for being a VOLUNTEER.
As a person who participated for a year in an Americorp program myself as a youth, I can tell you I (and every other person in the program) went into it knowing that it was a VOLUNTEER position and did not expect much. Heck, I made a little over $800/month living in Santa Clara, CA during the .com boom and didn’t even get housing or food assistance. Why did I choose to live in poverty for a year? There are lots of reasons, but it came down to desire to serve my country (I was never cut out for the military). Sometimes, Jer, people do service not because they have an expectation of financial compensation, but because it contributes to the greater good.
Participants in the Youth Conservation Corps receive lodging and meals for the three weeks, along with free participation in programs and visits to local attractions. We believe their total renumeration exceeds minimum wage.
Why are they being paid below minimum wage for these jobs? Shouldn’t they at least get paid the minuimum what ever that is these days? I know it is higher than the $4.25 or so they will recieve.
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