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Youth Employment in Parks

What is Youth Employment in Parks all about?

yep-recruitment-posterIn 2007, Anchorage Parks and Recreation established the Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program. Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) worked in partnership with the Municipality of Anchorage to create a program that would positively engage a new generation of diverse youth leaders with the environment and the Anchorage community through meaningful training, employment, and outdoor recreation.

Since that orginal vision, the YEP program has grown and grown and grown!!

  • How many teens does the YEP program employ each summer? CHANGES YEARLY
  • Do they learn about environmental issues throughout the summer? YES
  • Do they make long lasting friendships with their coworkers? YES
  • Should you check it out? YES (see below)(DONE HIRING FOR 2010)

For more information about YEP 2010 go to the Anchorage Park Foundation Website.

Tell me more!!

The YEP program consists of two sides: CONSERVATION and RECREATION.

Conservation side’s goal: improve Anchorage’s outdoor areas

How they do it:

  • Urban forestry, watersheds and trails
  • Manage trees: Learn how to properly cut down trees, and how to plant them
  • Watersheds: Work on reinforcing creek beds and improving waterways
  • Trail maintenance: Building, fixing and cleaning trails
  • BOTTOM LINE: Hardhats and work boots.
Recreation side’s goal: Get kids to play in parks; environmental education

How they do it:

  • Art in the Parks, Park and Play
  • Daily: Play with children in Anchorage parks; teach them about the environment
  • Artists: Each park has an artist that infuses the playing in the park with art!
  • BOTTOM LINE: Get kids in the parks.

How is AYEA involved?

  • We recruit teens to participate!
  • We help plan in the off-season!
  • And, we run civic engagement workshops!!

What kind of themes does AYEA cover?

  • Activism
  • Community and city councils
  • Letters to the editor
  • Media and messaging
  • Protests
  • Public speaking
  • Social capital
  • Voting
  • BOTTOM LINE: Teens have a voice, and they CAN act on issues!

What is Career Week?

Ever heard of green jobs? At the end of the summer, AYEA has a whole week that explains what green jobs are, and how teenagers can get them in the future!

  • What goes on during career week?
  • Professional workshops: Writing cover letters, drating a resume, interviewing well
  • Career fair: Includes careers like LEED certified architects, electronics recycling experts, arborists, and more
  • Job shadowing: Teens get to spend a full day with someone who has a green job
  • BOTTOM LINE: Up to their ears in Alaskan green jobs.

Okay, it sounds totally awesome! How can I be a part of YEP?

  • TEENS: Check back around December for the 2011 applications for next summer. You’ll be able to find applications here on our website, or the Anchorage Park Foundation website
  • Tip: It always helps to have a resume, so you could work on that in the mean time!
  • ADULTS, part I: We have many opportunities for you, as well. Over the course of the summer, we ask several people to be guest speakers during the civic engagement workshops (i.e. poets, community council members, media representatives).
  • If you’re interested in being a guest presenter throughout the summer, let us know. We’d love to have you!

ADULTS, part II: Career week

  • We need help from community members to make it a success!
  • You could host a teen at your work for a day of job shadowing.
  • You could be on a panel that discusses green jobs and encourages teens to work in a green field.
  • You could host a table at a green jobs fair, and tell the participants about any opportunities your organization may have to offer.
  • You could help teach about resumes, interviewing, cover letters and more.
  • If you’re interested in getting involved in any capacity during Career Week, let us know! It’s never too early to get involved.

More information: