Yellowstone National Park Recruiting for 2014 Youth Conservation Corps Program

The Yellowstone National Park 2014 Youth Conservation Corps program is recruiting for this upcoming summer and YCC is asking all interested youth between the ages of 15 and 18 to apply!

Spokesman Dan Hottle said the program is designed to develop an appreciation for the nation's natural resources and heritage through unique educational, recreational, and work experiences.

"It's a chance to live and work in Yellowstone in the first national park," Hottle said. "They get a lot of experience and education in working with land management organizations. There's some adult leadership. They get to complete some pretty outstanding conservation projects. In the program they earn a minimum wage salary $7.25 an hour while they're here, but I think the experience they get outside of that is completely invaluable to them."

Hottle said YCC members work together under adult leadership to complete conservation projects such as rehabilitation of trails, campground restoration and a wide variety of resource management and maintenance projects.

Corps members will also participate in evening and weekend recreational activities, and discover the many options for careers in the National Park Service and other land management agencies.

"About 50 students will be chosen altogether from around the country," Hottle said. "It will be about 25 in each session. They'll be divided between different program groups depending on their work ethic and some of their prior experience, but really there's no necessary experience needed."

Yellowstone will offer two, month-long YCC sessions: June 8 to July 9, and July 13 to August 13.

Participants will be required to live on location, and room and board will be provided at a minimal cost.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be 15 years of age by June 8, but not over 18 years of age by August 13.

For further information and applications, visit the National Park Service website.

Completed application materials must be received no later than March 8.