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Youth Expeditions

Overview

[Image Description: Two MCC members are wading into a bright blue lake. They are both wearing their MCC shirts and waders, holding nets for specimen collection.]

Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.

Summer opportunities  for Montana Teenagers (ages 14-18):

  • Youth Expeditions in Bozeman, Helena and Kalispell
  • Helena Youth Corps in Helena and surrounding communities.
  • Montana residency is required to participate in these programs.

Expeditions/Helena Youth Corps closed for 2025; click below to get notified for Summer 2026!

Youth Program Photos
  • [Image Description: Four members standing on a freshly built trail, all holding tools and sporting hard hats.]
  • [Image Description: MCC Member smiling, sitting near a wooden gate that they are restoring.]
  • [Image Description: Seven MCC members sitting on a fallen tree, on the shore of a lake on a beautiful sunny day.]
  • [Image Description: An MCC member is seen walking away from the camera with their back facing the viewer, walking a suspension bridge that connects between two deep forests.]
  • [Image Description: Seven MCC members, most of whom are Youth Crew, are standing in a line smiling for the camera, all wearing MCC tshirts.]
  • [Image Description: An MCC member looking through a spotting scope, standing in a field with one other crew member.]
  • [Image Description: A group of MCC youth members, all grouped together for a selfie on the shore of a large blue lake, sporting hard hats and gloves.]
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Youth Expeditions

Ignite your summer with the Montana Conservation Corps Youth Expedition Program. We have options across the state for you to choose from! All projects are centered around conservation service in Montana’s great outdoors. Projects could include trails, invasive species management, habitat restoration, and more!

Combining this work with our CORE curriculum, we strive to cultivate communities of young people inspired to build a brighter future and to help develop leadership skills. 

Where: Our youth programs operate out of our North Branch office in Kalispell, Montana, and our South Branch office in Bozeman, Montana. The Helena option will launch and return from a central meeting location in town.

Technology-Free Environment: Our programs are intentionally technology-free to enhance crew connection. Please note, we do not allow phones to be used for cameras. You’re welcome to bring a digital or disposable camera. For safety, our leaders have GPS devices and their personal cell phones for emergencies.

Program Benefits: Here is what you can expect to gain!

  • Leadership and communication skills
  • Technical skills
  • Connections to each of the 4Ps (People, Power, Place, Pathways; see our curriculum page)
  • New relationships 

Expeditions are for Montana high schoolers ages 14 to 18 and run during the summer months of June - August. There are 3-day, 6-day, and 11-day expedition sessions to choose from.

  • 11-day expedition - The 11-day expedition members will spend most of their time outdoors, camping, serving on projects, and exploring all while going through our CORE curriculum. The crew will have one day off together partway through the trip to embark on outdoor adventures and to explore the area they’re serving in. Upon completion of your expedition, all participants receive a $100 service award and 72 service hours.
  • 6-day expedition - Similar to our 11-day option, participants will spend the majority of their expedition camping, serving on projects, and engaging in conservation service across the state. Upon completion of your expedition, you’ll receive a $50 service award and approximately 35 service hours. 
  • 3-day expedition - Short on time or not quite ready to commit to the longer expedition options? The 3-day expedition could be the right fit! Expedition members will engage in a shorter, local overnight expedition. While the group will be camping, more emphasis will be put on the conservation project at hand with an abbreviated version of the CORE curriculum. Participants may receive up to 10 hours of service hours.

Helena Youth Corps

In collaboration with the Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest, we're thrilled to introduce a new addition to the MCC Youth Program designed for residents of Helena and nearby communities. This AmeriCorps opportunity welcomes individuals aged 17-18 who are interested in engaging in four conservation-oriented projects throughout the Lewis & Clark National Forest. Each project entails camping for the duration of an 11-day hitch. Projects are physically demanding, and could include trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, mesic restoration, planting, and more. Not all CMs will serve on all types of projects. We have five openings available, and commitment for the entire summer is necessary to receive the full living allowance and education award provided through an AmeriCorps term of service. Participants will report in and out of Helena, MT.

Location: Helena, MT

Ages: 17-18

Program dates: TBD for summer 2026

Living Allowance: $1,200 biweekly before taxes are taken out

AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,565.08 upon completion of the program

[Image Description: Four MCC members standing on a hillside filled with wildflowers, pose for a picture with hard hats and trail tools.]

"I think one thing I’ve learned about all the places collectively is that in order to conserve the things that are important to you, you must be willing to do the work yourself. I also learned about the history and significance of each place. I’ve always had an appreciation of these places, but now that I’ve lived and worked at them I feel as if they have become a part of who I am." - MCC EXPEDITION MEMBER

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