On July 14th, the Woodstock, Burlington, and Montpelier Community crews converged at the West Monitor Barn and dove into the 24 Hour Experience. The day began by crews helping to prepare food in the kitchen that would fuel them for the upcoming hours. The crews then moved through a series of stations out on the land where they explored the natural features of the VYCC property and successfully completed various teambuilding exercises. They were also guided through a set of discussions where they identified needs they saw in their community and then designed service projects that will help address those gaps. The projects include: planting trees in the Champlain Valley, hosting an event in Woodstock to create connections and foster community, and various other things that may include developing a scholarship to honor the life of a Corps Member that was lost this summer.

The crews then stretched their minds by completing many environmental education and sensory activities. They benefited from further exploration of the VYCC land as well as inter-crew mingling making many connections with others sharing the VYCC Community Crew experience this summer. The retreat culminated with an epic night hike with a solo component and a glorious view of the sunrise from the ledges behind the barn. A great time was had by all and we look to make this an annual tradition!

On June 25th, the VYCC crew staffing North Hero State Park participated in a turtle release through the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Nongame and Natural Heritage Program. After spending the winter being cared for at the Lake Champlain ECHO Center in Burlington, thirty two turtles were released into Lake Champlain from various points on the North Hero waterfront. The North Hero waterfront is a critical area for nesting Spiny Soft Shell Turtles which are listed as a threatened species in Vermont. The turtles released included Spiny Soft Shell turtles as well as Map, Snapping, and Box Turtles. The crew helps Wildlife Biologist Steve Parren by monitoring the North Hero beach for turtle activity. The North Hero State Park Crew is comprised of members of the VYCC’s Conservation and Community Leadership Program.

The Montpelier Community Crew spent the first two weeks of their seven week session at Food Works at Two Rivers Center in Montpelier this summer doing a variety of work projects. They have been planting trees, bushes, and herbaceous plants along the riverbank to help control erosion and have also constructed raised bed container herb gardens, removed brush and undergrowth in the outdoor teaching kitchen, and participated in garden maintenance and upkeep on the Earth Garden and Herb Garden. In addition, the crew has gotten their hands dirty helping to plant, weed, compost, and participate in many other farm chores around the Center. They have also had the opportunity to work with an experienced team of timber framers in restoring the first floor of the historic barn there, originally built in 1836!

To learn more about the crew’s work at Food Works at Two Rivers Center, join us for the Montpelier Community Crew’s Open House Presentation on August 13th.