Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps - YCC Program

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Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps - YCC Program

Yellowstone's YCC experience allows enrollees and staff the opportunity to learn and work in the world's first national park.

Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is an incredible, residential work and education program that helps foster community involvement and stewardship of our public lands. The program is challenging, educational, fun, and offers participants opportunities to expand their horizons while building skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. No previous wilderness experience is required, but a

willingness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program, get along well with others, and maintain a positive attitude are essential for success. Approximately 60 teen enrollees will be selected from across the country to participate in the park's YCC summer program. Enrollees will work 40 hours a week and receive the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour) with bi-weekly deductions for room, board, and laundry facilities (~$140). Healthy food options will be provided by the YCC Cook or prepared by staff and youth while camping. While this diet might be different than what you are used to, the goal is to provide highly nutritious, healthy meals to sustain youth during a work program. YCC participants will work in a variety of weather and terrain conditions while completing projects which may include:painting/staining; exotic plant control; fence and bench building; general maintenance work; trail construction and/or maintenance; and working with the visiting public. Some projects will take place in remote backcountry locations within Yellowstone, requiring work crews to camp out for up to five days. When crews are based in the front country, they will either camp or stay at the YCC Facility near Mammoth Hot Springs which provides dormitory housing and a large dining hall for meals and meetings. Enrollees will also spend time participating in environmental education, recreation, and outdoor leadership and career orientation activities. Many of these activities are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends. Activities may include: hiking, rafting, fishing, ranger-led programs, guest speakers, enrollee and staff presentations, assisting field rangers and scientists, and trips throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yellowstone's YCC Program is supported by the Yellowstone Park Foundation.

03/04/2026

Thanks for everyone that applied for our Yellowstone YCC (over 800 applications!) We will email everyone of the results in early April.

02/17/2026

YELL YCC Staff position through Yellowstone forever. Position: YCC Youth Conservation Corps – Logistics and Media Associate
Location: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Status: Seasonal / Full-time / Non-Exempt
Compensation: $15.50 hourly, housing is provided
Dates: May 2026 – August 2026 (14-weeks term)

Yellowstone Forever - YCC Logistics and Media Associate

Yellowstone Forever (YF) is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. See

Position: Youth Conservation Corps – Logistics and Media AssociateLocation: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WyomingReports To: Chief People OfficerStatus: Seasonal / Full-time / Non-ExemptCompensation: $15.50 hourly, housing is providedDates: May 2026 – August 2026 (14-weeks term...

02/10/2026

YELL YCC 2026 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1466053511544074&set=pcb.1466053588210733

How would you like to work, learn, play, and grow in Yellowstone's wonderland? We are now accepting applications for this summer's Youth Conservation Corps Program!

The YCC Program is a month-long, work-based education program for students between the ages of 15 and 18. Teens will be selected from across the country to live and work in the park on a variety of important conservation projects such as trail rehabilitation, campground restoration, and data collection for science projects.

It's not all work though! Corps members will also have opportunities to learn about Yellowstone's natural and cultural resources, learn about National Park Service careers, and participate in outdoor activities like hiking, rafting, fishing, and ranger programs.

No previous wilderness experience is required, but a willingness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program, get along well with others, and maintain a positive attitude are essential for success.

👉Applications are due March 1! Learn more about the YCC Program and download an application at: go.nps.gov/YellowstoneYCC

12/18/2025

Work, Play, Learn, & Grow 😎https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=60AF1547-7ABE-457E-8403-441B7B9C7D40 YCC short video about working on boardwalks in Yellowstone from June 2025 as we are beginning to work towards YCC 2026 but grateful for the great summer of 2025!

Follow along as Yellowstone's Youth Conservation Corps crews replace a section of old boardwalk near Morning Glory Pool in Upper Geyser Basin.

11/21/2025

We are thankful 😌 of the Work, Play,Learn, & Grow we accomplished together this summer ✌️

09/24/2025

National Public Lands Day is September 27! Put your YCC skills to work! or visit a near by NPS site.

A signature event of the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), National Public Lands Day (NPL

09/13/2025

YCC 2025 exceeded all expectations and we are now have our 2026 summer staff positions posted on USAjobs ! Seasonal Social Service Aid (YCC)
AKA “Rec Ranger” Major Duties Summary:
Provides education and recreation opportunities, as well as, mentoring, guidance, and oversight to teen enrollees.
Plans and leads weekend and night recreational activitites (day hiking, backpacking, swimming, rafting, park exploration, wildlife watching, fishing, journaling, etc.) including driving.
Assists in leading a crew on work projects (such as land-resource projects, trail rehabilitation, fence construction and installation, food-storage box installation, native species conservation, etc).
Provides safe environment (physical and emotional) for self, coworkers, and teen enrollees including identifying and mitigating safety hazards.
Mentors and counsels enrollees on personal and shared community living.
Serves as a group leader at a residential Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. The Yellowstone YCC base camp/facility is located in Mammoth Hot Springs, headquarters of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, elevation 6,200 feet. The YCC facility consists of a dormitory for enrollees and YCC Staff, who are required to live there, and a dining hall facility that is used for meals and meetings during the weekends. From Monday through Friday, work crews mainly camp in front country and backcountry campsites throughout Yellowstone National Park. Apply https://www.usajobs.gov/job/845015200 please share with your network the “funnest job in the NPS!”

The Social Service Aid serves the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. These positions may be filled for up to a six-month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2026 For more park(s) informat...

09/05/2025

2025 exceeded all expectations mostly due to our incredible staff. On that note YCC 2026 Staff positions are all up and posted on USA jobs https://www.usajobs.gov/job/844628200 Seasonal Park Ranger (YCC Crew Leader)

Serves as a Crew Leader at a residential Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. These positions may be filled for a six-month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 10, 2026 For more park(s) inf...

08/28/2025

We want to celebrate 🤩YELL YCC 2nd session. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Puxz2KSRQA thanks for all those who helped us work, play, learn, & grow!

Thank you to all the enrollees of Session 2 for sharing all the hard work and good times with us this summer. YCC couldn't exist without you all. We hope thi...

07/31/2025

2nd session of YCC checking in a few weeks behind :- ) 24 youth working in Yellowstone and are doing great! https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1301698394646254&set=a.883222766493821

Everyone, help us give a big welcome to our second crew of Yellowstone’s Youth Conservation Corps! 🤗

Over the next four weeks, these 15-to-18-year-old students will work on a variety of projects throughout the park, including repairing/building boardwalks and trails, building fences, installing bear-proof food storage boxes in campsites, collecting data for park research, and more.

If you see this group while you’re out in the park, give ‘em a big hello – “Hey, YCC!!”

👉 Learn more about the Yellowstone YCC program: go.nps.gov/YellowstoneYCC

06/20/2025

YCC Session 1 2025 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1277918027024291&set=a.883222766493821

Work, play, learn, and grow—that’s the motto of Yellowstone’s Youth Conservation Corps. The first YCC crew of the summer is off to a great start as students, aged 15–18, and their leaders work hard at a variety of much-needed projects throughout the park!

If you see them while touring the park, give 'em a big hello! "Hey, YCC!!"

Learn more about the YCC program on our website: go.nps.gov/YellowstoneYCC

Address

Yellowstone National Park, WY
82190

Telephone

+13073442991

Website

http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/yccjobs.htm

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