Welcome to the Summer Youth Program
"MCC allowed me to build stronger character and become more out going. I hope to continue growing in many aspects to build that stronger personality and great work habit. I will always carry what I learned at MCC with me." - Erin Randall, 2005 and 2006 corpsmember
About MCC and the Summer Program
The Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC) is a non-profit organization involved in high priority conservation and public service projects that incorporate service-learning and youth development. The Summer Youth Program's philosophy is to develop youth through 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 youth who are hearing, deaf and hard of hearing. This is an 8 week residential program where youth will work on various outdoor, conservation projects. These projects are physically demanding, where youth learn basic work skills and help maintain Minnesota's habitats. Corpsmembers also 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!
The Challenge
At the residential site, corpsmembers live with other youth from across Minnesota and neighboring states, whose backgrounds, interests, and abilities may be different than their own. MCC can be challenging in that corpsmembers work, live, and spend time with each other for the whole summer. The challenge comes from stepping outside the comfort zone, meeting new people, learning to live and work with different people, which results in having the experience of a lifetime.
The Work Component
Corpsmembers 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/exotic species removal, building retention walls for erosion control, and wildlife projects. MCC provides a service to other resource agencies and the community by completing high priority conservation projects. We expect our corpsmembers (staff and youth) to work hard and uphold the mission of MCC. Much of the work is exhausting but the rewards are great. Whatever the job, MCC staff and youth will learn new job skills and learn to work as a team. Youth 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 stoves, and exploring Minnesota. Past spike trips have taken place at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, several state parks, and other conservation organizations throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Educational and Recreational Activities
Corpsmembers have many opportunities to increase their awareness and understanding of the environment, develop a commitment to the stewardship of the natural world, learn about conservation careers, and develop leadership, teamwork and positive decision making skills. Corpsmembers participate in educational activities each day and recreational activities each weekend. MCC promotes learning and personal development through active participation in outdoor, hands-on learning experiences. On the weekends corpsmembers can try their hand at a variety of recreational activities, such as canoeing, hiking, fishing, visiting interpretive centers and museums, and learning about local history and native cultures.
Residential Living
At the residential conservation site, you'll sleep in rustic cabins and have family-style meals with other corpsmembers and crew leaders. MCC provides free room and board for all corpsmembers. As a MCC summer corpsmember, you'll spend several weeks on "spike." Spike trips are work projects that are completed outside the daily travel distance of the residential site, and can last anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks long. You will work in crews usually made up of six corpsmembers and two crew leaders. Crews will work at state parks or wilderness areas, sleep in tents, and cook meals over an open fire, all under the guidance of an experienced crew leader.
Summer Program Rules
Corpsmember will have to live by some basic ground rules. These rules are put in place for the safety of each corpsmember and the growth of healthy young adults. Breaking these basic camp rules are grounds for being sent home. Here are the Summer Youth Programs dos and don’ts: DO Be on time for work and activities. Work hard and follow the directions of your crew leader. Be a helpful and contributing member of your crew and the camp community. Push yourself to develop new skills, try new challenges, and meet new friends. Respect yourself, others, MCC equipment, and the environment. DON'T Abuse drugs Drink alcohol Smoke cigarettes Fight Gamble Vandalize or steal property Harass anyone
"The MCC summer program is the best! We worked hard and accomplished huge projects, we learned a lot about Minnesota's environment, we were challenged like never before, and we learned that we can make it through anything! I have grown from all of the personal and group challenges."  - 2000 Corpsmember
"Last summer was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I learned more about the environment, myself and others then I would have at any regular job. I renewed my interest in sign language, and have been working towards better proficiency since then." - Carolyn Leedham, 2005 corpsmember "MCC last year was a life changing experience, it changed my view of life. I grew and expanded my mind in drastic ways. This is an opportunity that would be foolish to pass up. Eight weeks in relatively untouched environments and working to protect them would be an honor." - Thomas Wilfert, 2005 and 2006 corpsmember on returning for a second summer "This was a hard job, but I loved the outdoor work and meeting people from all over the state."   -2000 Summer Youth Corpsmember
Daily Schedule - a typical week at MCC 2008 Summer Calendar Summer Youth Job Opportunities Summer Staff Job Opportunities Frequently Asked Questions - Youth Participants (15-18 years old) Frequently Asked Questions - Summer Staff (19+ years old) Summer Program Tour and Photo Gallery All files are in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader (downloadable for free) is required in order to view them.