Northwest Youth Corps

Northwest Youth Corps offers youth programs with hands-on conservation projects, daily educational lessons, and a stipend for hard work. Its youth offerings include urban and community forestry crews, Sound to Summit Crews, Portland Community Conservation Crews, and Youth Conservation Crews; the Backcountry Leadership Program is also available.

Programs

• Youth Programs — teenagers; ages 15-18 for specific youth crew programs; ages 16-19 for Backcountry Leadership Program · Hands-on conservation projects, daily educational lessons, a stipend for hard work, and may even earn school credit.
• Urban and Community Forestry Crews — 15-18 · Community crews focused on enhancing the health of trees, parks, and the environment in your community.
• Sound to Summit Crews — 15-18 · Conservation projects in the South Puget Sound before a week-long National Park experience.
• Portland Community Conservation Crews — 15-18 · Paid conservation service-work improving community parks, gardens, and green spaces across Portland.
• Youth Conservation Crews — 16-18 · Residential crews that travel throughout the Northwest, camping each night.
• Backcountry Leadership Program — 16-19 · Advanced leadership training for those who excelled in a previous Youth Camping session.
• Young Adult Programs — 19-26 · Advanced life and work skills training; participants engage in labor-intensive conservation projects and enriching educational lessons.
• Community Wildfire Protection Crews — 19-26 · Create fire-resilient communities through fuels reduction projects in fire-prone areas.
• Young Adult Conservation Crews — 19-26 · Residential crews that travel throughout the Northwest, camping each night.
• Leadership Development Program — 19-26 · Advanced training for aspiring outdoor enthusiasts interested in pursuing leadership roles with conservation and outdoor organizations.
• Internship Program — 18+ · Training and hands-on experience with land and water resource management agencies, state organizations and non-profits in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
• Field Staff — 20+ · Field staff lead young people in the outdoors to complete conservation projects in remote settings.

At a glance

• Ages: 15–18 years old

About the provider

Northwest Youth Corps launched in 1984. The organization says it works across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and that it partners with land management agencies and non-profits to complete high priority conservation projects that improve lands and communities. It describes itself as the largest and oldest youth conservation corps in the region and a foundational, award-winning member of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps movement.

Programs focus on education, challenge, community, leadership and empowerment; emphasis on teamwork, accountability, work ethic, and individual achievement; provides a confidence-building environment where participants can thrive.

What families say

“My time with the Northwest Youth Corps was more than a life-changing adventure; it was a haven where I truly belonged...It wasn’t just about the hard work outdoors; it was where I learned to lead with heart, connect deeply with others, and care passionately for our planet.” — Nico, Youth Member, 2009-10

“I am so glad that I went because it really helped me break out of my comfort zone and helped me find a passion for the outdoors and hard work! I built confidence in myself and realized I was strong and could help others. I really feel like NYC shaped my life for the better!” — Kayla, Youth Member, 2004

“NYC taught me that I can do hard stuff. Plain and simple. I could push through. I still to this day, view my days in the program as some of my greatest accomplishments.” — Kaylynn, Youth Member, 2005-2006

Last updated September 8, 2026.