How to Use a Summer Crew
Does your organization have a labor-intensive project coming up this summer that you just do not know how you are going to accomplish without help? Do you have a unique resource management project that would provide the youth of Minnesota with an opportunity to develop new skills and gain knowledge about Minnesota's environment. MCC Summer Program Crews can take care of your needs. Apply for a crew today!
The Minnesota Conservation Corps provides a unique opportunity for the development of today's youth and at the same time provides a valuable service to the natural resources of the state of Minnesota. The projects that you put forth for the program to tackle play an integral role in achieving our program mission. We strive to provide quality and commitment to the public lands in a cost-effective manner. We strive to provide our participants with projects that will challenge them to work as a team, which will provide them with quality learning experiences on the state natural resources and the careers within the field that one can pursue. We look for a wide array of variant project types to allow for a diverse view of job opportunities as well as a chance for the members to acquire the many skills needed to complete these projects.
Our crews are professional, hard-working and ready and willing to do what it takes to complete your projects in the face of adversity. In most cases our crews will complete all proposed work well in advance of the deadlines set forth so it is encouraged to make a long wish list of projects that can be tackled once the initial project is complete. It is a terrible thing to let the energy and enthusiasm of the young go to waste.
The cost effectiveness of our program is an aspect that we are continually striving to improve. The success we achieve in this arena allows us the possibilities of serving larger quantities of youth and sponsors with even better quality. Any manner in which your organization can help offset the costs of our crews working for you, be it waived camping fees, providing lodging and/or meals, or contributing the full or partial costs of a crew is greatly encouraged. Priority will be given to those project sponsors who are able to work with us to achieve these goals. To foster a relationship that is amazingly beneficial to both parties, we do request that your organization provide quality projects and an interest in our programs goals, for it is this that facilitates the best learning experiences for all involved.
The type of work generally accomplished includes: construction of trails and foot bridges, planting native species, timber stand improvement projects, historical building restoration, erosion control, various surveys, landscaping, campground construction and maintenance, wildlife habitat maintenance, nest box construction, etc. The types of projects that are of the least value to our program are busy work such as leaf raking, wood chopping, brushing roads, weeding and housekeeping.
There are some guidelines and restrictions to consider when applying for an MCC Summer Program Crew. Our crews consist of members between the ages of 15-18 lead by a fully trained Crew Leader. Only the Crew Leader and professional resource staff that may assist in the project are permitted to use power tools. The use of chemical compounds and chemically treated substances are restricted or prohibited. MCC provides individual safety equipment and most tools but if specialized equipment or tools were required on a project, this would be the responsibility of the project sponsor.
If you have any questions about what a MCC Summer Crew can do for you please feel free to contact me.
Eric Antonson , MCC Youth Programs Manager
Eric.Antonson@conservationcorps.org
Phone: (651) 209-9900 x 11
Fax: (651) 209-9901
