Resources restored.

Crew members work hard, rain or shine, on a variety of outdoor natural resource and

service projects. Projects in the past have included trail maintenance and

construction, foot-bridge construction, invasive plant removal, campsite restoration,

native tree plantings, and wildlife projects. We expect our crew members to work

hard and uphold the mission of the Conservation Corps. Much of the work is

exhausting but the rewards are great. Whatever the project, staff and youth will learn

new job skills and learn to work as a team.

You will be traveling to various site locations (called “spike” trips) accomplishing

these projects. Most of the summer will be spent in state parks working and camping

for one to two weeks at a time. Crews will be working outdoors, camping in tents,

cooking over camp stoves, and exploring Minnesota.

Conservation Corps Minnesota is an exciting organization that allows young people to

work outdoors and improve our environment. The Summer Youth Corps can be

challenging in that you will work, live, and spend time with other youth for four weeks.

The challenge comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, meeting new people,

and learning to live and work with many different people These challenges and new

experiences are what make this program the experience of a lifetime.

Conservation Corps Minnesota encourages you to look over this handbook and discuss

it with your parents/guardians while making decisions about your involvement with the

program.

The Summer Youth Corps’ philosophy is to develop youth through outdoor, natural

resource work and educational and recreational activities. The summer program

provides summer jobs for male and female teenagers, ages 15-18. It is unique in that

it involves both hearing, deaf, and hard-of-hearing youth. Our 4-week summer program

is residential and based in Chisago City, MN. During the work week, crews of six youth

and two leaders will work on various natural resource and conservation projects in

various state parks, national parks, and public lands around Minnesota. These

projects are often physically demanding, as you learn basic work skills and help

maintain Minnesota’s habitats. As crew members, you will participate in educational

and environmental learning each week. This isn't the typical classroom setting; it’s

hands-on learning that is exciting and rewarding!

Mission

Conservation Corps Minnesota provides hands-on environmental stewardship and

service-learning opportunities to youth and young adults while accomplishing

conservation, natural resource management, and emergency response work.

Goals:

Develop good work habits and work ethic: pride in work, safety, working to

maximum potential, working together to achieve a common goal, and

understanding the purpose and benefits of the work projects

Personal growth: self discovery, leadership development, positive decision-

making, career exploration, patience with self and others, adaptation to new

people and a new environment, respectful attitude, new friendships, group unity,

and self esteem through overcoming challenges

Learn, understand, and appreciate the environment: home and nature

Gain a positive public image: respect for other people's privacy, sense of pride

after leaving a camp, interaction with the public through work projects and

evening/weekend activities

Crew members have many opportunities to increase their awareness and understanding of the

environment, develop stewardship habits that benefit our natural world, learn about conservation

careers, and develop leadership, teamwork and positive decision-making skills. You will participate

in educational activities each day and recreational activities each weekend. Our program promotes

learning and personal development through active participation in outdoor, hands-on learning

experiences. On the weekends crew members can try their hand at a variety of recreational

activities, such as canoeing, hiking, fishing, visiting museums, and learning about local history and

native cultures.

— we recommend bringing no more than $30 to cover the expense of laundry

and other personal items. If you need more money, it should be sent to you in the mail.

— once a week you will have a chance to do laundry in a nearby community. We

recommend bringing enough laundry detergent for 3 or 4 loads of laundry with you at the beginning

of the program, as it can be costly at Laundromats.

A Typical Weekday A Typical Weekend

6:30 am Morning wake-up bell Sleep in!

7:00 am Morning exercises

7:30 am Breakfast 7:30 am Breakfast for early risers

8:00 am Educational Activity

8:30 am Crews depart for work 8:30 am Early morning groups depart

(church, fishing, etc.)

10:30 am Morning 15 minute break 10:30 am Brunch

12:00 pm Lunch in the field

11:30 am

Groups leave for day activities

(laundry, hiking, canoe trip, interpretive

center, etc.)

12:30 pm Educational Activity

1:00 pm Back to work

2:30 pm Afternoon break

5:00 pm Arrive at camp/spike site 4:30 pm Groups return from day activities

5:30 pm Dinner 5:30 pm Dinner

6:30 pm Evening activities 6:30 pm Evening activities (campfire, games, mov-

ies, etc.)

9:30 pm In cabins or tents 10:00 pm In cabins or tents

10:00 pm Lights out 10:30 pm Lights out

You will have to live by some basic ground rules. These rules are in place for

the safety of everyone in the program and the growth of healthy young adults.

Breaking these basic program rules are grounds for being sent home.

DO

Be on time for work and activities

Work hard and follow directions

Be a helpful and contributing member

of your crew and our Corps community

Push yourself to develop new skills, try

new challenges, and meet new friends

Respect yourself, others, the

equipment, and the environment

Have a positive attitude

DON’T

Abuse drugs

Drink alcohol

Smoke cigarettes

Fight

Gamble

Have weapons

Vandalize or steal property

Harass anyone

Engage in exclusive

relationships

Respect yourself and others by:

Making positive choices and decisions,

which contribute to the Conservation Corps

community.

Acknowledging each other as individuals.

Abiding by the policies and procedures and

maintaining open communication to resolve

any conflicts that may arise.

Working hard within your abilities.

Respect the environment in which you live and work by:

Leaving the site better than when you found it.

Making conscious efforts to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Understanding the impact and purpose of projects and the Corps as a

whole.

Apply “Leave No Trace” principles

Conservation Corps highly encourages letter writing to parents and friends.

Please note that e-mail access is not available during the program. Stamps

and envelopes should be brought with you at the beginning of summer.

Phone use is limited to one hour per weekend and will be arranged weekly

when crews are out on weekend activities.

Mailing address: Name Of Youth

St. Croix State Park

St. John’s Landing/Conservation Corps

35130 St. John’s Landing Rd.

Hinckley, MN 55037

You are expected to remain in the program for the entire 4 weeks.

Weekends are spent with the crew doing recreational activities, resting, and

laundry. Parents/guardians may not visit the base camp during the summer

(only at the start and end of the program). In the case of emergencies,

arrangements can be made for youth to go home and return to the program

when they are ready.

You will receive a weekly stipend of $190 for 37.5 hours of work each week.

After completing all check-in procedures upon arrival at camp, you will be

enrolled in our payroll. Youth will receive one check at the end of the

program and a second check 1 or 2 weeks after the completion of the

program. Checks may be delayed if you do not bring appropriate

identification cards to check-in.

IMPORTANT — You will not be paid for work days and hours missed. Also, the

second paycheck will be sent home unless site director is informed to keep

it at our St. Paul office for pick up.

I learned a lot about myself and the skills that I have. I've

made friends with people I probably wouldn't have known

otherwise. I enjoy being outside more. Theo M. -Youth Crew

Member 2011

If you are receiving a ride to the base camp from your parent/guardian you must arrive

at St. Johns Landing in St. Croix State Park between 2:00 and 4:30 pm on the start day

of the program. Lunch will not be provided on this day. Once you arrive, we will make

sure all hiring paperwork has been properly signed and all documentation has been

received.

Shuttle: If you are signed up to take the St. Paul Shuttle to St. Johns Landing in St. Croix

State Park please arrive at the Conservation Corps Central Office at 1:00pm. Lunch will

not be provided on this day. Once you arrive at the headquarters we will make sure all

hiring paperwork has been properly signed and all documentation has been received.

Parents/guardians are invited to join us during the last day for a lunch and award

ceremony. Parents and guardians should arrive at St. Johns Landing in St. Croix State

Park at 11am and can leave with their son or daughter between 3 and 4pm. Parents

who would like to join but do not have transportation to St. Croix State Park can meet for

a parent shuttle at 9am at the Conservation Corps Central Office. Please RSVP to

Jonathan Goldenberg at 612-300-0557 by July 7th (session 1) or August 10th (Session

2) to make sure there are seats available.

Parents/guardians not able to attend the lunch and award ceremony should plan to pick

up their son or daughter between 3 and 4pm at St. Johns Landing in St. Croix State Park

or 5:30 pm at the Conservation Corps Central Office in St. Paul.

**The following page includes a map and address for St. Johns Landing in St. Croix

State Park and the Conservation Corps Central Office in St. Paul.**

You and your parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to and from

St. John’s Landing in St. Croix State Park or the St. Paul shuttle.

If your parents plan to drive you to the base camp, it is required that every vehicle

driving to St. John’s Landing purchases a group daily permit ($3 per visit) or an an-

nual state park sticker ($25 one-time fee).

The Conservation Corps has a shuttle available from the Twin Cities to the base

camp at the beginning and end of our programs. For shuttle schedule, refer to

“Arrival Day and Transportation Schedule” on the previous page.

If you are planning to take the shuttle at the beginning of the program, please con-

tact Jonathan Goldenberg at (612) 300-0557 by June 10th, 2013. (Session 1) or by

July 16th, 2013 (Session 2).

Conservation Corps

Central Office:

60 Plato Blvd. E.

St. Paul, MN

55107

St. John’s Landing/Conservation Corps

35130 St. John’s Landing Rd.

Hinckley, MN 55037

St. Croix State Park is located 15 miles east of Hinckley,

Session 1: Program Starts — Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Program Ends — Saturday, July 13th, 2013

Session 2: Program Starts– Saturday, July 20th, 2013

Program Ends — Friday, August 17th, 2013

Supervision of youth participants is a top priority in our program.

We have a firm policy to ensure you have the opportunity to safely

engage in positive activities and carry out your responsibilities as a

crew member.

Our philosophy is based on our mission statement, which ensures that every youth

participant has the opportunity to engage in service-learning and environmental

stewardship opportunities while performing conservation work. We work together as a team

to ensure that youth participants gain self-confidence, enhance work skills, and develop

healthy behaviors.

However, persons who are unsupervised may not have the same potential to get the most

out of this experience. Our supervision policy has two leaders in place for each crew of six

youth. Crew Leaders will not be able to constantly supervise all youth at all times. However,

Crew Leaders must set out clear expectations for behavior. Furthermore, Crew Leaders and

youth are responsible for knowing the whereabouts of crew members at all times. Crew

Leaders must know the location of all youth at all times and be able to communicate

quickly in the event of an emergency. Youth must know the location of the crew leaders at

all times and be able to communicate quickly. The standard measure of this range is

shouting distance or within eyesight. If for some reason the youth must be away from the

Crew Leaders and are out of communication distance, they must: be with two other youth,

tell the crew leader where they are going, and establish a return time.

Every person has the right to expect to have a safe and positive experience. By working

together as a team to provide adequate supervision, we can help ensure that all youth

participants and summer staff have a great summer with Conservation Corps Minnesota.

There are deer ticks in some areas where we work throughout the summer. Deer ticks are carri-

ers of Lyme disease. Not all deer ticks carry Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection spread

by the bite of a deer tick. Early symptoms include a bull’s eye rash, fever, and muscle aches.

Lyme disease is very treatable if caught early. One of the first activities of the Summer Youth

Corps is learning about ticks and preventative techniques.

It is recommended that after you return home from the summer you keep an eye out for any of

the symptoms aforementioned. If you suspect symptoms of Lyme disease, do not hesitate to

tell your parent/guardian and see a doctor as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with Lyme

disease after the summer is over, please inform the office by calling 651.209.9900 ext 27.

I became more positive and confident. I also learn how to use the

tools and made more friends. I have become more open to others

and happier. I learn a lot about the environment and how to keep it

clean and healthy.

Mai Kou V. -Youth Crew Member 2011

Safety is the top priority of the Conservation Corps. This applies to both work and non-work

situations. However, risk is inherent in the various program activities.

Youth are expected to work to their potential during the workday. Furthermore, youth are ex-

pected to fully participate in after work activities that are part of the program. Participating in

Conservation Corps activities involves known and unanticipated risks which could result in

physical or emotional injury, paralysis or permanent disability, death, and property damage.

Risks include, but are not limited to, broken bones, torn ligaments or other injuries as a result

of falls or contact with other participants; death as a result of drowning or brain damage

caused by near drowning in pools or other bodies of water; medical conditions resulting from

physical activity; and damaged clothing or other property. Such risks simply cannot be elimi-

nated, despite the use of safety equipment, without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the

activity.

Please review and sign the release of liability form included in the hiring paperwork. By doing

so, you expressly accept and assume all of the risks inherent in the program activities or that

might have been caused by the negligence. By signing you acknowledge that your child’s par-

ticipation in these activities is purely voluntary and they elect to participate despite the risks.

If you use prescription medication or over the counter drugs during the summer, you will fill out

medication paperwork on arrival day. All medication, both prescription and non-prescription,

will be turned into our staff and distributed throughout the summer. All medications need to be

brought in the original container or package. It is very important to bring enough medication for

the entire program.

If you normally take prescription medications or over the counter medications during the school

year but will not be taking them during the summer, our staff need to be informed of this

change. It is very important to clarify all medical needs prior to the start of the program. The

best way to do this is to make sure all paperwork gets turned in on time.

It is your responsibility to purchase any prescriptions and/or non-prescription medication prior

to the beginning of the program. Any medical expenses that accrue throughout the summer

(refill prescriptions or over the counter drugs, etc.) will be taken out of your paycheck.

After being offered a position, please complete and sign all forms — personal, tax, and

medical — and return them to the Conservation Corps Central Office.

Proper ID documentation needs to be brought either to orientation or the first day of the

program (Photo ID, SS card or Birth certificate, & health insurance card). Conservation

Corps staff need to see the original and a copy will be kept for our records.

Be sure to bring your prescription and non-prescription medications with you. Remember

that you must hand over all medications to Conservation Corps staff. Make sure

medication is in the original bottle or package.

Conservation Corps Minnesota is not responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen items.

This includes electronic devices, clothes, and money. Bring only what you need and do

not bring electronic devices (digital cameras and medical technology are permitted).

During the weekend laundry trips you will need to pay for your own washing and drying

machines. We suggest that you bring $30 of spending money for the Laundromats and

personal items. You should also bring laundry detergent.

“[Our daughter] came home with a greater sense of self. She did things

she never knew she could do. We were so proud of her and her

accomplishments.” Youth Parent, 2011

NO ELECTRONICS — electronics (cell phone, iPod, CD player, etc.) are not allowed and will

be handed over to staff for the summer. Avoid this by not bringing these items.

PERSONAL ITEMS — Conservation Corps is not responsible for the damage or loss of any

personal item brought by a youth to the Summer Youth Corps. This includes electronics,

clothes and money.

□ Long pants (jeans or other old comfortable

pants, not sweat pants)

□ Socks (bring extra pairs– Wool hiking socks

recommended)

□ Work boots—leather and must cover ankle.

***Important: Wear these at home at least

7 days to break them in.

□ Rain gear— pants and jacket (no ponchos)

Work gloves and work shirts are provided by the

Corps.

□ Underwear □ Warm jacket □ Swimsuit, swim trunks □ Sweaters, sweatshirts □ Sneakers for after work □ Long pants, shorts, t-shirts for other

activities

□ Bandanas

□ Sleeping bag

□ Sleeping pad

□ Pillow

□ 2 or 3 one-quart water bottles

□ Towel and washcloth

□ Personal items (toothbrush, toothpaste,

shampoo, soap, etc.)

□ Bug lotion/repellent (don’t underestimate

the bugs!)

□ Sunscreen and lip balm

□ Flashlight with extra batteries (head lamps

are great!)

□ Laundry soap (enough for 4-5 loads only)

□ Prescription medication (enough for 4

weeks)

□ Wrist watch (to help you be on time) □ Epi-Pen or Inhaler (if needed)

□ Small backpack to carry water bottle and

snacks.

□ Brimmed hat & sunglasses

□ Head bug net

□ Books

□ Digital camera or camera and film

□ Fishing gear

□ Stationary, envelopes, stamps

□ Musical instruments (not electric)

Laundry runs are made once a

week. Be sure to bring enough

clothes to last for a week. Also,

keep in mind that there is no stor-

age at the base camp so only

bring what is needed.

The Summer Youth Corps is rough on clothes. Work clothes get ripped by brush,

stained by dirt and sweat, and generally worn out. Clothes worn for other activi-

ties can get equally worn out. Please don’t bring any clothes that should not get

dirty. Second hand stores are good for buying work and non-work clothes.

Civilian Conservation Corps

In the 1930's the country was in a financial depression and the spirit of the people was at

an all-time low. It has been estimated that more than two million youth were aimlessly

wandering the cities and the country in search of jobs and a future. On March 4, 1933,

Franklin D. Roosevelt became President of the United States. In his first 100 days in office,

he initiated several programs to get the country going again. One of the most widely

acclaimed and accepted programs at that time was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

The CCC recruited young men into a peace-time army to conserve the land, forests and

waters, to build parks and to build young people’s dignity and work skills

Life in the Corps appealed to the American frontier spirit. More than three million young

men and 8,500 women worked for $1 per day, room and board. Decades later, many said

it was the best years of their lives.

Civilian Conservation Corps members were true conservationists long before there was an

Earth Day. On millions of acres, they worked to slow down erosion and replant depleted

forests. They built more than a thousand national, state, county and city parks. They saved

our country.

Youth Conservation Corps

In August 1970, the 91st Congress enacted legislation to create the Youth Conservation

Corps (YCC) . Patterned after the CCC, the objectives were to accomplish needed

conservation work on public lands, provide gainful employment for 15 -18 year-olds from

all segments of society, and to develop youth through education and appreciation of the

nation's natural environment and heritage.

Minnesota Conservation Corps

When federal support for the YCC ended, the Minnesota Legislature created the Minnesota

Conservation Corps (MCC) with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The program carried forward the mission of engaging youth and young adults in natural

resource work. MCC remained within the Minnesota DNR until it was eliminated from the

state budget in 2003 when the nonprofit Friends of the Minnesota Conservation Corps

assumed operation of MCC.

Current Youth Programs

In 2010, MCC changed it’s name to Conservation Corps Minnesota to better reflect the

Corps’ work as it launched a smaller model of its young adult program, Conservation Corps

Iowa, in Ames. Conservation Corps Minnesota’s other youth program, Youth Outdoors, is

for Saint Paul and Minneapolis teenagers who meet 12 hours per week afterschool and

Saturdays for education and service projects. The Conservation Corps also has several

If you have any questions or need more information

please contact:

Jonathan Goldenberg

Summer Youth Corps Coordinator

617-686-1205 (Cell)

651.209.9900 ext 27(office)

612-300-0557 (Camp Number)

320-284-6000 (Back-Up Camp Number)

-or-

Eric Antonson

Program Director

651.209.9900 ext 11

Conservation Corps Minnesota

60 Plato Blvd. E, Suite 210

St. Paul, MN 55107

www.conservationcorps.org

“Conservation Corps has helped me realize being you is all you need

to be and shouldn't try to be anything less. The work projects help

promote the message of taking care of the earth and the feeling that

people can come together to make a difference. I’ve made amazing life

long friends at CCM and feel safe in the open and inclusive

environment CCM provides. “

Tyler R. Youth member 2010, 2011

… carrying on the tradition and legacy of

service learning and youth development.