Conservation Youth Corps: A natural fit for students seeking volunteer hours

March 30, 2016 · 0 Comments

Registration for Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) popular Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) program is now open.
High school students can earn 35 volunteer hours in one week this summer by participating in environmental stewardship activities. Space is limited so students are encouraged to sign up now.
“The program is a great way for students to earn valuable experience and develop important skills such as communication, leadership and team work,” said Keren Bromberg, program coordinator for CYC at CVC. “For many, the program is a chance to spend more time outside and develop a new appreciation for nature.”
This is the 10th year CVC has offered the program to high school students in the Credit River watershed. Participants volunteer in groups of seven alongside CVC staff for one week of the summer. The first volunteer day consists of an orientation session at Terra Cotta Conservation Area. Remaining days are spent completing environmental conservation, restoration and ecological monitoring projects. The program runs for nine weeks during summer break.
Each year, approximately 250 students work on a range of activities that benefit nature, while earning up to 35 of the 40 volunteer hours needed to graduate high school. Activities include tree planting, managing invasive species, aquatic and terrestrial monitoring, fish and wildlife habitat construction, community gardening, trail maintenance and more. The CYC program is open to students throughout the watershed, from Orangeville to Mississauga.
Volunteers have an opportunity to learn about the environment through meaningful experiences, explore different areas of the Credit River watershed and meet new people. The CYC summer program also looks impressive on a resume, as well as on college and university applications.
All training and tools are provided. For more information and to register, visit www.creditvalleyca.ca/cyc or call CVC at 906-670-1615 or toll free at 1-800-668-5557. Applications will be accepted through CYC’s online process.
CVC’s Conservation Youth Corps program is made possible by the support of the Region of Peel, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Enersource, Telus, PPG, and personal donations through the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation.