Youth Corps Program
“When I did Youth Corps, I was like ‘Wow, this is exactly what I was looking for.’ I really enjoyed the experience.”
– 2022 Youth Corps intern Claire Moe
Empowering Future Stewards
Spring Break Youth Corps Program
Each year, our Spring Break Youth Corps Program offers one-week, paid internships for high school students aged 16 and up. Students work together as a team to learn about and undertake a variety of habitat enhancement and conservation activities with Jefferson Land Trust staff members and volunteers on permanently protected nature preserves across east Jefferson County.
This field-based internship is held entirely outdoors, sometimes visiting remote areas and hiking through difficult terrain. Corps members learn the importance of habitat, forest, and stream health through noxious weed removal, forest surveys, and other habitat restoration activities.
As part of the Youth Corps experience, students also learn about a variety of conservation and natural resources-related career paths from local natural resource professionals.
Information About Eligibility and Applying
Youth Corps is intended for all high school students aged 16 and up who have an interest in learning about land management. No previous experience is required or expected.
The role is physically demanding. Applicants must be able to walk over uneven terrain, across streams, through thick brush, and up and down slopes. Youth Corps interns must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions, including sun and rain and they must be able to work with hand tools (instruction and tools provided).
A stipend is provided to each student who participates in the full week internship.
Applications for the Land Trust's Spring Break Youth Corps Program open each winter.
Youth Corps Interns' Field Report
To get an idea of what's involved, view the 2022 2022 field report or the 2025 field report put together by some of our previous Youth Corps Spring Break interns.