Overview

Youth Program Overview

Montana Conservation Corps Youth Program is committed to providing meaningful learning experiences for AmeriCorps members and youth participants ages 14–18. We create safe, hands-on, work-based learning opportunities that foster personal growth, build professional skills, and prepare participants for success now and in the future.

The Youth Program offers two main crew types. Each of the following crews will be led by two co-leaders. These leaders will be the main sources of supervision while the crews are out in the field.

During the day, leaders guide crews through conservation service projects, facilitate team-building, and lead lessons from our curriculum. For overnight programs, leaders will also supervise youth during camp chores, meals, and morning/evening routines.

National Park Service Expeditions:

Montana youth ages 14-18 can sign up to join a volunteer conservation crew based out of Glacier or Yellowstone National Park. Each crew meets near its regional office, departs for a 9 day overnight hitch, and returns for a group celebration. Leaders will guide four separate service expedition crews throughout the season. Between hitches, leaders will enjoy a 4 day weekend.

Youth Corps:

In collaboration with land agencies, two MCC leaders will guide a crew of 4-6 youth, who are enrolled as AmeriCorps members (ages 17-18), from surrounding communities on four conservation-focused hitches. Most projects will be based in a new location each hitch, offering an opportunity to work with different project partners and explore new areas! Youth participants are committed for the entire summer season which allows the group to bond, build relationships, and learn on a deeper level about career opportunities, gain employability skills, and develop as leaders.

Youth Program Leader Positions

Field Support Technicians (FSTs) collaborate closely with the youth staff to deliver a high-quality experience for both leaders and youth participants. They assist this team by mentoring and supporting Youth Crew Leaders throughout their training and field season, ensuring the successful completion of MCC youth projects and programming, and the adherence of all MCC policies and procedures. While supporting crews in the field, this person will need to maintain strong relationships with project partners, parents/guardians, and community organizations. If the need arises, the FST may be called upon to lead or join an existing crew for the duration of the hitch. This could be anywhere from one night to eleven days.

The FST will participate in the Adult Program Leadership Development Program (LDP), where they will have the opportunity to attend leadership workshops, technical training, and field skills development, as well as engage in early-season projects to further enhance their skill set. Additional Youth Program-specific training will be provided leading up to the start of the youth season. Through the Adult Program LDP, the FST will be eligible to earn Chainsaw and Crosscut certification, as well as Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification. 

National Park Service (NPS) Expedition Leaders will serve with a co-leader to oversee 4-6 youth participants on overnight service projects. These projects are 9 day overnight hitches in either Yellowstone or Glacier National Park. Youth participants are Montana residents ages 14-18 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds. Each expedition will be with a different roster of youth participants. NPS Expedition Leaders and their crews will camp for the full duration of each hitch, oftentimes in remote locations on varied terrain and in all weather conditions. Camping accommodations are typically tent camping in sites that you’re able to drive up to. Projects may include building or maintaining trails, building fences, and habitat restoration, among many other types of conservation projects.

Youth Corps Leaders support and supervise a crew of 4-6 high school youth in the successful completion of natural resource and community service projects, provide on-site management of a youth crew, implement curriculum and actively facilitate crew dynamics to ensure a high level of crew community and safety. Youth participants are Montana residents ages 17-18 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds who will be serving as AmeriCorps members throughout the summer season. Projects may include building or maintaining trails, building fences, and habitat restoration, among many other types of conservation projects.

We offer two Youth Corps Crews:

• A day program based out of the Northern Regional office: 
  • Crews work four, 10-hour days per week. At the end of each day, leaders and members return home. Following the work week, leaders and members will enjoy a 3-day weekend.
• Overnight program based out of the Southern and Northern regional offices: 
  • Crews work four 9-day hitches throughout the season. Leaders pick up members at a designated location, grocery shop, travel to the hitch site, and spend 9 days in the field before dropping youth off and debriefing at the office. After each hitch, leaders and members will enjoy a 4 day weekend.

Benefits for Youth Leader Positions:

• Living Stipend: $1,360 biweekly before taxes (Youth Leaders); $1,440 biweekly before taxes (Youth Field Support Technicians)
• AmeriCorps Education Award: Amount depends on position and term length
• FREE Health Insurance (not available for Northern Youth Corps Leaders)
• Member Assistance Program: FREE access to confidential behavioral health counseling, financial assistance, medical/legal advocacy, and more 
• Supportive coaching staff invested in your success
• Food per diem while on projects
• Pro Deals
• Housing/Camping options may be available in specific regions

Check out the Greater Yellowstone Regional Office page for more information on our Southern Branch location

Check out the Northern Rockies Regional Office page for more information on our Northern Branch location

Youth Crew Leader Positions are full for 2025, Get notified for 2026!

Here is what you can expect during a season of leading Montana youth:

Day in the Life - Youth Crews

Gear List - Youth Leaders

What is AmeriCorps?

Benefits of Service

How your service makes an impact

Support we provide