ICC expanding youth program

SANDPOINT — Since 2015, the Idaho Conservation Corps has employed Idaho youth and young adults in the Boise area to complete high priority natural resource projects throughout the state, and this year, the program is expanding to add additional crews based in Sandpoint.

During the 21-week Idaho Service Corps program, young adults embark on projects such as fuels reductions, creating defensible space, noxious weed removal and native tree planting.

"We have quite a few native tree planting projects," said Kait Lemon, Panhandle Coordinator for ICC, adding those projects can include anything from planting whitebark pine in the mountains to erosion control on the islands in the Clark Fork Delta. "So there is a lot of variety with that."

Crew also do traditional trail work, such as brushing out alder, which tends to be "pretty common," she said. This year's projects will include mountain bike trail work throughout the state as well. In 2017, ICC served 216 youth and young adults with the support of 46 project partners throughout the state. Lemon said crews will work with partners such as the U.S. Forest Service and Albeni Falls Dam.

There is no experience required, though applicants should not have any physical limitations that would keep them from performing the required work.

"Mostly they just need to have the willingness to learn," Lemon said.

There are some requirements, she said, such as bringing their own tents and other gear. A packing list will be provided to applicants. Because it is an AmeriCorps position, there is an age requirement as well — applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 24. The crews typically work nine days on and five days off, Lemon said.

The 21-week term begins May 13 and ends Oct. 5. Participants receive a monthly living allowance totalling $6,050 by the end of the 21 weeks. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive an educational award of $2,907.50. There is also a three-month Seasonal Stewardship Program for the same age group, during which participants can earn a living allowance of $3,400, in addition to a $1,538.30 education award.

"What’s nice about the AmeriCorps educational award, is it doesn’t have to go toward what you consider traditional education," Lemon said.

The award can be used for things like swift water rescue training, or many people put it toward their wilderness first responder or wilderness EMT training, she said. Participants will receive their wilderness first aid certification during the course of the ISC training. Lemon said

Another benefit is they will graduate the program with a professional reference, and Lemon said it helps with getting hired on in federal positions, such as the U.S. Forest Service.

In addition to the young adult programs ICC offers a Youth Corps Camping program for teens 16-18, though Lemon emphasized it is not a "camp." It is a job with certain requirements and restrictions, she said.

Under staff supervision, the youth crews camp out for five weeks, working an average of 37 hours a week on conservation, reforestation, and recreation projects. The youth earn $1,500 for the five weeks, and up to $300 in bonuses for safety and dependability. The income they earn is technically considered an education stipend and therefore is tax free, Lemon said.

There are two five-week summer sessions offered. The first session is from June 9 through July 14, and the second is July 21 through Aug. 25. There is an initial tuition fee of $225, and assistance is available to help cover this cost.

Information and applications for youth and young adult programs can be found on the ICC website at idahocc.org/ourprograms.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.