Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 04, 2008
Contact:
State Parks seek Youth Conservation Corps volunteers
(RICHMOND) - The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is looking for good young women and men to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia.
DCR is accepting applications for two three-week sessions of the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), scheduled June 21 to July 12 and July 19 to Aug. 9.
"Service to others is an honorable, character-building pursuit, and the YCC fills important needs in our state parks and in the lives of young people," said DCR Director Joseph H. Maroon.
YCC participants assist with an assortment of projects in Virginia State Parks, including wildlife and fisheries habitat improvement, trail and campground construction and restoration, timber and shoreline improvement, and landscape beautification.
"Such projects not only enhance our state parks, but they help to re-connect young people with the outdoors," Maroon said.
The YCC is modeled after the federal service program AmeriCorps and the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps who built the original six Virginia State Parks.
Teams of from 10 to 12 participants will be chosen from current high school students 14 to 17 years-old (participants must be 14 by June 1) who demonstrate an interest in protecting Virginias environment. While no prior experience is necessary, participants will work outside, and the service is physically demanding. A positive attitude, an interest in learning, curiosity about interpreting nature, and the physical ability and desire to work on outdoor projects are important factors in the selection process.
The 2008 YCC sessions will be held at 18 state parks across Virginia. YCC crew members are provided room, board, T-shirts and work-related equipment, and receive a $500 stipend at the end of the three weeks.
"The work is outdoors and often physically demanding, but the memories and experiences they take away last forever," said YCC Coordinator Gaston Rouse. "YCC participants make permanent and important contributions to our parks."
The YCC application deadline is April 11. For more information or an application, contact Rouse at (703) 583-5497, e-mail vspycc@dcr.virginia.gov or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov .
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