overview | program elements | YCC details | crewmembers | supervisors | sessions | stipends | a typical day | contact | crewmember application form | supervisor application form
OVERVIEW: The mission of DCR’s Virginia State Parks Youth Corps (VSPYC) is to engage Virginia’s youth in a structured program of important conservation and park projects on public lands while providing learning that fosters teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment.
The program includes three elements united by the types of project, environmental education and adventure programming, and the age of the participants. These are outdoor programs; the young person will work hard, sometimes difficult conditions including deep mud, hot sun, and mosquitoes and flies.
PROJECTS INCLUDE:
Youth Corps projects are visible, tangible, and meaningful, and they have achievable goals. They have educational aspects, are environmentally sound and fulfill an unmet yet valuable need in the park.
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) - Crews live in the park for three weeks. Work projects generally takes place in the daytime, and environmental education and adventure opportunities fill evenings and weekends. Crewmembers work and live as a team. Additionally, crewmembers complete an individual project. Recruitment is targeted to attract youth from diverse backgrounds. Youths who have a strong background in environmental education are encouraged to apply, but young people who have never experienced a park setting are welcome as well. An executive director and YCC coordinator handle recruitment and selection of crewmembers and supervisors. Site selection and project planning are handled by park staff.
Youth Service Corps (YSC) - This non-residential program runs Mondays through Fridays. It is meant for at-risk youth. Young people generally arrive in the park - the corps site - at 8 a.m. and leave at 5 p.m. The state parks partner with local youth service providers or organizations that generally work with at-risk youth. The partner provides meals and transportation and selects participants. Generally the partner also provides staff experienced in supervising the youth involved. Environmental education and adventure programs are offered in lieu of work during the day or added on the weekends or evenings, depending on the agreement with the partnering organization.
Youth Development Corps (YDC) - This is a weekend program held during spring and fall. Crewmembers arrive on Friday nights, prepare a meal and set up camp. On Saturday, they work on a conservation project, much as in the YCC, but of course the scope of the work is limited by the short duration of the event. This program is particularly helpful to parks that lack adequate facilities to support longer summer programs. On Sunday the young people take part outdoor activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and interpretive hikes. This program is still in the planning stages.
Of the three programs, only the YCC requires potential participants to fill in an application form. The other two are by invitation of the executive director.
Crewmembers
Crews generally have 10 members, ages 14-17, from diverse backgrounds, as well as three college-age or older crew supervisors. The crew lives in the park in a structured work program. The crew is closely supervised by professional park staff and committed adult volunteers. By day, crews work on important development and maintenance projects, and after hours crewmembers enjoy recreational activities and learn about the environment, team-building, work life and job readiness.
The corps program aims to promote youth development, including disadvantaged young people, and provide a cost-effective way to raise environmental awareness and strengthen the stewardship of Virginia’s valuable natural resources. The program combines work experience, education and life skills within the framework of environmental and community service. Youth participants receive a $500 stipend; adult supervisors, who directly oversee the young people and coordinate day-to-day direction, receive $1,500.
The program targets a broad cross-section of youth, including “at-risk,” economically disadvantaged, college-bound, high school, dropouts and disabled youth. This diversity breaks down traditional social and economic barriers and provides a rich and challenging experience for each participant. A recent study shows that youth corps programs have are a particularly positive impact on participants. This program accomplishes what policy-makers of all political stripes want: A program that provides young people the opportunity to serve their state and the community while learning the values and skills necessary for the workplace and personal financial stability.
It is equally essential to help communities help themselves gain a larger stake in caring for our natural heritage. State parks are the natural setting for engaging citizens in such an environmental and developmental partnership. 
For youth service, the program offers practical conservation projects, which can be completed in little time, allowing young people to witness and appreciate the immediate benefits of their work. For example, surveys indicate that visitors use trails more than any other feature park offerings, yet funding shortfalls make upkeep difficult. Trail maintenance, safety and accessibility are chief objects of the corps’ work. Wildlife and native plant conservation and support for interpretive facilities are also high priorities.
In-kind support from local groups, such as parks’ friends groups, is important and essential to the program. The groups want to help the young people, while corps participants help the parks. Various citizen organizations with few financial resources are able to contribute provide environmental education, logistical support, outreach, publicity and even help with recruitment. These groups also help promote the benefits of the program.
Click here to download the crewmember job description and application form. Virginia State Parks begins accepting applications for the 2008 program Jan. 1, 2008.
Three crew supervisors are assigned to each crew of 10 to 14 crewmembers. Supervisors are directly responsible for overseeing activities of the young people from the time they report to the time they depart. The supervisors create a supportive atmosphere conducive to learning; they motivate, develop and discipline team members, ensure their well-being and help plan events. They also transport crewmembers to field sites (in a vehicle provided by the program), work with students in field projects, and ensure that students are prepared for upcoming activities. The crew supervisor is the authority who on occasion must be a friend, parent, counselor and mentor. The role is demanding, but the reward comes in seeing his or her young charges develop positive work habits essential to production employment.
Crew supervisors also must be able to work in and direct a team. The work can also be physically demanding, requiring the use of field tools and to hiking to remote areas carrying heavy backpacks. Water and safety awareness are also. Supervisors must be comfortable working in rural, outdoor, marine and freshwater environments. As well, applicants should have some conservation education, experience or both, as well as experience in managing high school students. Supervisors may apply for up to two non-overlapping sessions.
The lead supervisor coordinates camp activities and serves as liaison with park staff. He or she coordinates meals and works with other supervisors and crews to make sure safety guidelines are followed and that logistics run smoothly.
Position offers are contingent on a criminal history record search. The principal purpose for requiring such personal information is to process your application for acceptance into the VSPYCC program; the information will not otherwise be disclosed to entities outside Virginia State Parks without your prior written permission. Also, VSPYCC policy prohibits the use of illicit drugs, alcohol or tobacco products while working with youth. VSPYCC members must be substance- and tobacco-free throughout the session.
Supervisors must attend a training session June 12-15, 2008, at a location to be determined. Lodging and meals for the session are covered. Supervisors also must report to their respective camp a day before their session starts. The three weeks of working with their young charges are intense; supervisors must be on-hand the entire time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Click here to download the Crew Supervisor Job Description and Application Form. Virginia State Parks begins accepting applications for the 2008 program Jan. 1, 2008.
Applicants may choose the session but not the park. To learn more about the commonwealth’s diverse natural resources, participants are placed in a setting distinct from their home. VSPYCC coordinators choose applicant placement and reserve the right to reject applicants who refuse a specific park assignment. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the park. To facilitate carpooling, program administrators will provide contact information on other participants, but the YCC will not make the arrangements.
New corps members are preferred each year, but a participant may be selected to take part more than once if exceptional prior performance merits it.
VSP Director of Volunteer and Alternative Resources
Leesylvania State Park
2002 Daniel Ludwig Drive
Woodbridge VA 22191
Phone: (703) 583-5497
Fax: (703) 583-2514
email vspycc.
