Youth Conservation Corps is a summer employment program for young men and women age 15 through 18, who work, learn, and earn together by doing projects on public lands.  The purpose of the YCC program is to:

1. Accomplish needed conservation work on public lands.
   
   
2. Provide gainful employment for 15 through 18 year old males and females from all social, economic, ethnic, and racial classifications.
   
   
3. Develop an understanding and appreciation of the Nation's natural environment and heritage in the participating young adults.

Programs are typically 8 weeks long from June through August.  Participants get a variety of experiences from biological shorebird monitoring to general refuge maintenance and visitor services.

Work projects may include improving wildlife habitat, picking up litter, fixing fences, posting boundary signs, invasive plant control, and general maintenance activities. You will also be able to learn about the wildlife and environment of the refuge while participating in hands-on refuge duties. YCC enrollees will also participate in educational field trips throughout the summer and be trained in First Aid and CPR.  Participants must be in good health and have no history of serious disciplinary problems or criminal behavior.

Individuals who have participated in the YCC program at Chincoteague in the past are not eligible to apply again.

Completed applications must be received at the refuge by April 15. The participants will be randomly selected and only those selected will be notified.

Teens interested in applying should contact the Refuge at 
757-336-6122.