Now in its fourth year, the VYCC’s School Program is expanding exponentially! For the 2009-10 school year, our program grew from five School Crews to nine. Our new partnership with the Barre Technical Center draws an additional 48 students into the program. Corps Members on the BTC Crews complete community-based work projects that incorporate educational lessons and teach them to take personal responsibility for all of their actions. Crews are led by two VYCC School Instructors, who are hired from all over the country and bring a wealth of experience to their roles. School Intructors’ experiential curriculum helps students who struggle with the traditional school environment overcome their pitfalls and become excited about learning.

Below is a YouTube video about the BTC Crews made by Dave Schilling, VYCC School Instructor at Cabot High School. Great work Dave!

What’s it like to be a VYCC Corps Member? We work hard, maintain trails, get muddy, build puncheon, and restore natural areas through erosion control and invasive species eradication. When not working, our residential crews camp out beneath the stars, cook meals over stoves, discuss controversial articles from the VYCC’s WoRd book, and partake in lighthearted shenanigans! Over four weeks of “roughing it” in the wilderness, we work together to strengthen communities and make friendships that last a lifetime.

Still having a hard time imagining a VYCC crew? Check out our slideshow of crew journal excerpts, WoRD articles, and pictures from the 2009 season!

*To read the WoRD articles and crew journals, we suggest you view the slideshow in full screen mode. After clicking play, click the full-screen button at the bottom right hand corner of the picture.

Spread the VYCC message, Midwest style! The Wisconsin Youth Conservation Corps is hiring a motivated, confident, and outgoing individual to serve as a Youth Development AmeriCorps Member. WisCorps was founded last year by the VYCC’s very own Matt Brantner–congrats Matt! The Youth Development role is an exciting opportunity to help one of the nation’s newest Youth Corps develop and expand throughout the state. Passionate about conservation and leadership development? Help WisCorps achieve its mission: “To develop leadership, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic in youth and young adults through the active stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources.”

Read the Youth Development AmeriCorps Member job description for full details.

To learn more about WisCorps, e-mail Matt Brantner at matt@wiscorps.org or visit www.wiscorps.org.

November 5th Update: The Youth Development AmeriCorps position has been filled!

The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council is hosting their third annual Trail Symposium on October 24 at the Kehoe Education Center in Castleton, VT. This is a great opportunity to learn about trail theory, trail grants and permitting, and different methods of trail maintenance. Rumor has it that they have excellent food as well!

Crew members of all types are encouraged to participate. For more information, visit the VT Trails and Greenways website.

To register, fill out the Trail Symposium form below. Note that 2009 crew members receive a discount!

VT Trail Symposium – Registration Form