About Outdoor Leaders

As of 2026, all youth participants join our Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). All youth members participating in YCC similarly engage in conservation projects and building community-oriented skills, but at varying degrees of age-appropriate challenge. Formerly under the terms: Regional Youth Crew (RYC) and Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), this crew is now referred to as the YCC Outdoor Leaders. The goal for the YCC Outdoor Leaders program, as the name suggests, is to support members in developing a greater sense of empowerment in their individualized skills and abilities. The new backpacking expedition component in conjunction with significant time spent on conservation efforts strive to enhance leadership opportunities by connecting with the outdoors in a variety of profound ways.

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Being part of a YCC Outdoor Leaders crew means joining a 4-week team of 8-12 peers entering 10th through 12th grade in the following school year, along with two adult crew leaders. For the first three weeks of the session, 8 hours per day are spent getting paid for completing service-based conservation projects. On the weekends, the focus areas are on outdoor recreation, group team-building activities, and self-care. Leaders are trained to facilitate a variety of experiences relevant to the crew’s needs, always striving to build individual resilience and a strong sense of community. 

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The YCC experience as a whole seeks to align environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation while building resilience and community amongst participants. YCC invites participants to engage in stewardship projects that range from trail building and environmental restoration to managing invasive species and improving wildlife habitats. These efforts leave a lasting legacy, enhancing both the natural environment and local communities.

While our members face demanding conditions, they leave with new skills, enduring friendships, or an authentic sense of pride in their accomplishments. YCC offers an experience that can shape both the individual and the environment, creating a positive ripple effect that resonates far beyond the season's end.