Boulder County is giving local teens a chance to earn money and gain valuable work experience this summer through its Youth Corps program. Boulder County residents aged 14 to 17 have until April 4 to apply for various summer jobs that not only offer a paycheck but also aim to instill a strong sense of community involvement and team spirit. Since launching in 1996, the Youth Corps has been engaging teens in projects that serve the county, a relationship that shapes both the landscape and the young minds at work.
Selected teens can look forward to a summer filled with impactful projects across Boulder County. Available positions will have them working 30 hours a week, from Monday to Thursday, beginning June 9 until July 30. Pay is set at a respectable $16.00 per hour. Having completed projects in past years ranging from trail building to forest preservation, this summer's tasks will include similar challenges that tackle needs such as trail maintenance, historic preservation, and invasive species removal, according to Boulder County.
In a bid to foster diversity and inclusivity, the Youth Corps is also offering single-identity affinity crews. This initiative includes a BIPOIC Crew and an LGBTQ+ Crew, providing spaces for individuals from historically underserved communities in the outdoor realm. These affinity crews will allow members to work alongside peers and leaders who share similar identities, engaging in the same range of conservation and stewardship projects as their counterparts. This approach helps create an environment of empowerment and safety, as per Boulder County.
Moving beyond traditional practices, the program is also continuing its partnership with the PLAY Boulder Foundation Tree Trust to field the Community Forest Corps team for the second year. Launched last June, the initiative provides an opportunity for young locals to tend to the urban forest, learning about nature's role in climate change mitigation. In this innovative role, Corpsmembers will pick up a variety of skills from tree care to public speaking, while simultaneously contributing to their community and the earth. Details on how to join these teams can be found in Boulder County's announcement.
