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Youth Conservation Program
The Youth Conservation Program (YCP) employs 16 to 19-year-olds on Grand Teton’s trail crew, accomplishing much-needed work while participants learn about park resources and develop conservation ethics.
Stewardship Starts Here
YCP is more than a summer job; it’s an action-packed educational opportunity that accomplishes much needed work in one of America’s most popular landscapes while helping participants develop a personal conservation ethic.
Young adults work and learn in this ten week program each June to August in Grand Teton National Park. Participants complete trail work to improve access and protect fragile habitat, preserve historic sites, and learn about park history, employment opportunities, search and rescue, and more—hiking miles of park trails in the process.
Are you or someone you know interested in applying to YCP? Click the button below to apply today!
YCP participants complete hands-on trail work that improves visitor access while protecting sensitive ecosystems in Grand Teton National Park. Through construction, maintenance, and restoration projects, youth help preserve heavily used trails and historic structures while gaining practical skills, teamwork experience, and a deeper understanding of land stewardship.
YCP combines place-based education with collaborative, hands-on experiences that connect youth to Grand Teton National Park and each other. Participants learn alongside park staff, educators, and peers through experiential lessons, mentorship, and shared work—building knowledge in conservation, teamwork, and leadership while strengthening their connection to public lands.
343 participants
- 495 tons of material moved
- 69,602 hours of service contributed
- Over 1 million feet of trail constructed and maintained
- 33 historic preservation projects completed
- 46587 miles hiked
7
of the park’s 31 professional trails staff in 2025 were YCP alumni
495
tons of material mov
69,602
hours of service contributed
Over 1 million
feet of trail constructed and maintained
33
historic preservation projects completed
46587
miles hiked
