Project Title: Shenandoah Youth Corps
Project Purpose: to prepare the next generation of park stewards and accomplish much-needed work, and to provide critical support to the Youth Corps members, youth groups visiting the park, and enable further youth and volunteer engagement.
Project Goals:
- to create opportunities for young people to work, serve, and learn in the park
- to inspire a greater sense of stewardship in the next generation
- to accomplish critical park maintenance projects
- to coordinate and lead projects, emphasizing meaningful engagement and safety
Project Impact: By creating opportunities for youths to serve within Shenandoah National Park and deepen their understanding of public lands, we are shaping the next generation of park stewards through work that protects Shenandoah today.
The Shenandoah Youth Corps is an impactful mechanism to engage youth as stewards and change agents for all public lands, especially Shenandoah National Park. Youth Corps members and leaders learn hands-on conservation skills and are exposed to many career fields. They will contribute meaningfully to trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and facilities upkeep projects. Education and career programs will be hosted exclusively for the Corps to ensure all participants have a strong foundation to pursue future positions in the National Park Service.
A Volunteer and Youth Programs Assistant will provide critical support to the Youth Corps members, youth groups visiting the park, and enable further youth and volunteer engagement. They will coordinate and lead projects, emphasizing meaningful engagement and safety. The Assistant will earn the Public Land Corps hiring authority which will enhance their ability to get a position with the NPS.
Project Funding: $72,000 in FY25 and $75,600 in FY26
In partnership with the ACC, we offer meaningful conservation work opportunities for youth to create and inspire a deeper connection with Shenandoah National Park and the future stewardship of our public lands.
We fund the Shenandoah Youth Corps, a modern-day version of the CCC that built the original infrastructure for the park. Two youth crews spend four weeks living and working in Shenandoah, completing over 2,000 hours of service.
In 2023, crews…
- removed vegetation and restored water structures on several trails,
- cleared campfire rings at Big Meadows Campground and Mathews Arm Campground,
- cleaned up amphitheaters,
- maintained Rapidan Camp,
- assisted NPS invasive species removal crews,
- worked with NPS biologists,
- removed vegetation to help with fire mitigation around the Headquarters area,
- assisted the NPS water quality monitor with dragonfly larvae sampling,
- revitalized Elkwallow picnic area,
- and picked up trash around overlooks, trails, and parking areas.
In 2022, crews…
- picked up trash and cleaned out campfire rings at various campgrounds throughout the Park
- stained the decks and completed grounds maintenance at Rapidan Camp
- Stained benches at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center
- worked on various trails throughout the Park in partnership with PATC and NPS trail crews by clearing overgrown vegetation and cleaning out/rebuilding waterbars
- covered up illegal backcountry campsites with the PATC ridgerunner
- worked with NPS invasive plant crews to remove various invasive plant species
- cleaned up trash on popular trails such as Old Rag and Whiteoak Canyon