AmeriCorps Youth Outdoors Members (ages 18-25) engage Twin Cities’ youth in after-school service projects and environmental education. In spring and fall, corpsmembers lead crews of Twin Cities’ youth participants (ages 15-18) in environmental education and community service projects after school and on Saturdays. When not leading youth, members perform natural resource restoration projects with a crew of their adult peers. Corpsmembers inspire youth, conduct community outreach and restore habitat in partnership with resource management agencies, working alongside conservation professionals.
Service Activities
AmeriCorps crew projects may include invasive species management, herbicide application, park and recreation grounds maintenance , tree planting, prescribed burning, shoreline stabilization and erosion control and trail maintenance.
Community Need Addressed
This program focuses on youth development and job training, with environmental conservation as a learning vehicle. Youth Outdoors AmeriCorps Crews lead Saint Paul and Minneapolis youth in environmental education and community service projects after-school and on Saturdays. In addition to completing environmental restoration projects, education curriculum is taught that helps youth build practical skills, connect to the natural environment, become active citizens and prepare for meaningful careers.
Position Outcomes
Corpsmembers receive training in youth leadership, civic engagement, natural resource management and personal development skills. Corpsmembers also receive training and complete various conservation projects such as tree planting, prairie restoration, streambank stabilization, wildlife surveys, carpentry/construction, timber stand improvement, lakeshore restoration, erosion control, trail construction and maintenance, exotic species management and wildlife habitat improvement.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Technical Skills: power and hand tool safety and use (chain saw / brush saw), power tool maintenance, wildfire suppression (not all crews), Aerie Backcountry Medicine wilderness first aid and Red Cross CPR, defensive driving, trailer operation and safety, invasive species management and herbicide application.
Personal Skills: youth development, environmental education, team building, communication, conflict resolution, leadership, diversity.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Facilitate group planning
Service
Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment