Teens invited to apply for service program
The Montana Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps program, is seeking adventurous teens 15 to 17 years old for the Youth Service Expedition program.
The program is a four-week summer service experience that combines outdoor adventure, education, job skills training and fun. Each participant will receive a Service Award of $200 upon completion.
“The summer Youth Service Expeditions are a terrific opportunity for young Montanans to get outside and reconnect with values that make Montana great — values like hard work, community service, stewardship of our public lands, and working together in common purpose,” said Jono McKinney, president and chief executive officer for the Montana Conservation Corps.
Crews will be based out of Kalispell, Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and Billings. There will be two sessions: June 12 to July 9 and July 17 to Aug. 13.
Youths will be “on expedition” for the full four weeks of the program. A graduation picnic will conclude the session.
Activities will include repairing fences in Glacier National Park or the Big Hole National Battlefield, building and maintaining trails in the Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge or Makoshika State Park, or helping with natural resource conservation on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Typically, each crew will spend two or more weeks on the same project, and then travel again to a different site for the final project.
On weekends, teens will take a break from project work and participate in recreation, exploration, education and relaxation.
Interested teens are encouraged to contact Jen Rusnak at Montana Conservation Corps by calling 406-587-4475, or email jen@mtcorps.org. More information and applications are available online at www.mtcorps.org.
The deadline for applications is June 10 for the first session and July 15 for the second session. Early applications are encouraged.
Montana Conservation Corps is funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service (www.nationalservice.gov), an independent federal agency, and administered through the Governor’s Office of Community Service (serve.mt.gov).
The mission is to inspire young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land and engaged citizens who improve their communities.