Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

Yellowstone Recruits for 2022 YCC Program

Yellowstone is offering its Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program for summer in 2022—a month-long residential program for young people between the ages of 15 and 18 years of age. They must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States, its territories, or its possessions. They also must provide a valid US Social Security number. Completed application materials must be received by March 1st, 2022.

How would you like to work, learn, play, and serve in the world’s first national park? Yellowstone is currently recruiting for the 2022 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a residential work-based education program for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 18. Visit the YCC program to apply. Completed application materials must be postmarked by March 1st, 2022.

Two month-long YCC sessions will be offered from June 12th - July 13th and July 17th - August 16th. Thirty-six youth will be randomly selected from across the country to participate in the program. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and 15 years of age by June 12, but not over 18 years of age by August 17. Yellowstone recruits youth from all social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds for the program. COVID-19 mitigation measures will be implemented to offer as safe a program as possible this summer.

No previous wilderness experience is necessary, but enjoying camping is a plus since it will be required during work assignments. Applicants should possess a positive attitude, a willingness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program, and get along well with others. Participants will be required to live in the park. A minimal fee will be charged for room and board. Wages will be set at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

YCC is designed to develop an appreciation for the nation’s natural resources and heritage through unique educational, recreational, and work experiences. Corps members work together with National Park Service (NPS) staff to complete conservation projects such as trail rehabilitation, campground restoration, and a wide variety of resource management, visitor support services, and maintenance projects.

Participants develop their job and leadership skills while exploring personal values, gaining self-esteem, expanding their awareness of work ethics, and learning firsthand about environmental and conservation issues. Corps members also participate in evening and weekend recreational activities and discover the many options for careers in the NPS and other land management agencies.

Some projects will take place in remote backcountry locations within Yellowstone, requiring work crews to camp out for up to five days. When crews are based in the front country, they will either camp or stay at the YCC facility near Mammoth Hot Springs which provides dormitory facilities and a large dining hall for meals and meetings.

Enrollees will also spend time participating in resource education, recreation, and NPS and other agency career orientation activities. Many of these activities are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends. Activities may include: hiking, rafting, fishing, ranger-led programs, guest speakers, enrollee and staff presentations, assisting field rangers and/or scientists, and trips throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

For further information and application materials visit www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/yccjobs.htm.

Questions may be directed to the park's YCC Program Manager by calling: 307-344-2991. Completed application materials must be received no later than March 1st, 2022.

The Yellowstone YCC Program is supported by the Yellowstone Park Foundation and park entrance fees.

For further information and/or an application, please contact the YCC Program Manager by calling:

307-344-2449 or writing to:

YCC Program Office
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190-0168

YCC Program Manager's Email Address yell_ycc_office.nps.gov.

Or visiting this Application Link (Adobe pdf form). Completed applications must be sent to the address noted above by March 1st, 2022.

To apply for the 2022 Summer YCC Program, download the Yellowstone 2022 YCC Application and fill it out electronically, save it as your name, and return it by email.

Completed Applications may be emailed to: yell_ycc_office@nps.gov or faxed to: 307-344-2323. Attn: YCC.

Yellowstone YCC Curriculum: Link.

Click on this link for more information: Yellowstone YCC Program.

Enrollee selections will be made using a random method, and applicants notified of their status by:   April 1st, 2022.

Information provided by Yellowstone National Park.