The YCC Program Since 1974, Youth Conservation Corps has a rich history of providing National Service. Eligible Summer Corps members will be enrolled as AmeriCorps National Service Members and join the ranks of conservation corps that serve Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier National Park through our partnership with the Corps Network. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a program that offers Lake County youth gainful summer employment in the outdoor atmosphere of our county’s Forest Preserves. The program includes an environmental education and outdoor recreation component. Work projects in past summers have included such tasks as developing nature trails, planting and maintaining native flora, stream bank restoration, basic outdoor maintenance tasks, construction of trail bridges, soil retaining walls and canoe launches. Additionally, workers will receive training in first aid, basic work and life skills, environmental construction skills and environmental awareness. YCC workers are paid $8.25 per hour and work an eight-hour day, weather permitting, Monday through Friday. The program is eight weeks long, beginning Monday, June 12, 2017, and concluding on Friday, August 4, 2017. Working hours begin at 6:30 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m., with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Workers are expected to remain in the program throughout its duration and are asked to schedule summer vacations either prior to or following the eight-week session. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the program, applicants must be residents of Lake County, at least 16 years of age by June 12, 2017, and no older than 18 on August 4, 2017. Selection Participants in the program will be selected by a lottery drawing to be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, North Bay Pavilion. Independence Grove Forest Preserve is located on Buckley Road (Route 137) just east of Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21) and west of River Road. While you need not be present for your name to be selected for a position, there will be one crew (3 men and 3 women) selected from those in attendance. In addition, all those that attend and are not selected will have their names placed on an alternate list which is used if those selected decline the job offer, or leave early in the program. How to Apply Complete the application, sign and return it by 4:30 p.m. on or before Friday April 28, 2017, either in person or by mail to: Lake County Forest Preserve District, 1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048. Applications can also be handed in at the lottery drawing. Worker Responsibilities All participants in the Youth Conservation Corps will be responsible for the following: 1. Workers are responsible for their own transportation to and from their assigned work site, which in all likelihood will be outside of their immediate town, or as close as possible. 2. Workers are responsible for arranging with their private physician to complete a medical physical, at their own cost, in accordance with the form that will be sent to them. The physical is to be performed before the program begins on June 12, 2017. 3. Workers are responsible for purchasing a pair of safety-toed work boots for safety purposes. 4. Workers must provide their own rain gear and cool weather clothing.