Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Final Post

Last week marked the completion of the eighth season of the Youth Conservation Program in Grand Teton National Park. Throughout the ten week program, which ran from mid-June to mid-August, 24 teenagers participated in various work and educational activities with all major divisions of the park, including resource management, historical preservation, wildland fire, search and rescue, interpretation, research, vegetation management and trails.

The majority of the conservation work and training performed this summer occurred within the trails division of facility management. Major project work focused on the rehabilitation and construction of new trail tread and trail structures in three key areas: the Lupine Meadows trailhead, the Colter Bay Swim Beach, and Wister Draw Horse Trail. YCP members also contributed to the conservation of our natural resources through noxious weed removal, hazardous fuel reduction for wildfire, and restoration of historic structures within Grand Teton National Park.

After a great season of experiencing one of the nation's premier national parks, some YCP participants have returned to their homes across the country to resume high school, while others have gone on to begin their first year of undergraduate studies.

Crew stats:
-24 participants
-Members came from Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut, New York, Maine
-Collaborated with all major divisions of Grand Teton National Park
-6541 hours worked
-1000 yards of trail rehabilitated
-640 linear feet of native timber peeled and notched
-400 yards of new trail constructed
-380 volunteer hours
-109 miles hiked
-75 feet of double-tier timber causeway constructed
-29 hours of flexibility and strength training performed per participant
-26 miles of trail drainage cleared
-12 historic structures repaired/maintained
-6 tons of asphalt removed (by hand)
-4 days of backcountry work completed
-0 injuries

YCP trail crew leader Alex St. Clair summarizes the season as follows: “The success of this program depends in great part on the cooperation between Grand Teton National Park and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, a partnership that has once again allowed students from across the country to experience and engage in ongoing conservation work within the park.  Another huge component of the program’s success is the hardworking crew participants themselves. The dedication, motivation, hard work, and selfless diligence these teenagers bring to the program is incredible and inspiring to all who are fortunate to work with them."

We at GTNPF are so proud of this summer's crew!  Special thanks to all who contributed to the success of this Foundation-funded youth program, including many individuals and the following corporate supporters:

Alltrips
Skinny Skis
Four Seasons Resort
Lee's Tees
Maverik
Mountain Khakis
Patagonia
Signal Mountain Lodge
The Jackson Hole Report
The Wort Hotel
The Coca-Cola Company
U.S. Bank
Vail Resorts
Wells Fargo

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.
About Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.
About Grand Teton National Park
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 7

 You’ve heard it before that Grand Teton National Park’s Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance for today’s 16 to 19 year olds to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Last week embodied the above claim, as the students spent each day at a different location in the park, learning an array of new topics. 

With the program being well past the half way point for the season, the crew members have become truly cohesive. The leaders have been able to focus more on the projects and quality of work and much less on instructing as the youth participants are becoming more knowledgeable of trail work and are intuitively applying their recently acquired skills in fieldwork.

The major project this week has been rehabilitation and restoration of the Colter Bay swim beach. Years of overuse and creation of dozens of unnecassary user trails have negatively impacted the area, causing erosion and scarring of the landscape. The YCP crew has chosen to improve a select few of the trails by widening and smoothing the tread, and installing a series of native timber steps. They have also installed timber checks to cease erosion on the now closed trails. Following the work of the YCP crew, these areas will be reseeded with native grasses for the final step of restoration.

The crew also worked alongside the park's revegetation crew on Wednesday in the Antelope Flats area. By individually removing and killing musk thistle across nearly 50 acres of recently revegetated grassland, the crew returning previously disrupted areas of Grand Teton to their natural state.

Next week the entire crew will be working in the backcountry of Owl and Web canyons in the northern region of the park on the west side of Jackson Lake. The crew will be camping for three nights and will not return to the front country until later in the week.  Adventures abound!

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 6

You’ve heard it before that Grand Teton National Park’s Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance for today’s 16 to 19 year olds to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Last week embodied the above claim, as the students spent each day at a different location in the park, learning an array of new topics.

On Monday, July 29th, Grand Teton’s very own YCP trail crew leader and herbalist, Kate Field, led the crew on an interpretive hike to Huckleberry Point on Phelps Lake.  On the hike, Kate educated the crew as to plant identification, the medicinal properties of local plants, and traditional uses of local flora.  The outing was especially insightful, as Grand Teton National Park has an entire division dedicated to interpretive and educational programs for park visitors, aptly named the Division of Interpretation and Education.

On Tuesday, the crew split into two groups to explore the higher elevations of Grand Teton National park.  One group hiked to the picturesque Amphitheater Lake and the other to the famous Apex on Teewinot Mountain.  Park specialists educated both groups about the mountain pine beetle, which began attacking high-elevation whitebark pine forests in Grand Teton in 2004. The crew provided support for the park’s ongoing whitebark study by assisting staff by hanging white pouches containing a pheromone called verbenone on selected trees. Two pouches per tree (or 40 per acre) send the beetles a chemical message that a specific tree, or a general area, is already saturated with beetles.  This deters beetles from infesting and may reduce the likelihood that additional trees will be attacked.

Last year's YCP crew learning about mountain pine beetles

On Wednesday, YCP improved a system of lateral drains along a closed section of trail on the southwest side of Jenny Lake (along the lakeshore). The system of drains typically holds water all summer due to a series of uphill seeps. These seeps often go unmaintained due to the large scale of maintenance required, so the park is especially pleased that YCP was able to complete this needed work.

On Thursday, YCP students rode the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.  Once there, the crew performed tread maintenance to the trail that leads into Granite canyon.  Their day, and week, concluded with a long walk down and out of Granite Canyon. First time, YCP crew member, Michael Christoffersen, said, "I need to better space out when I eat my M&Ms and rice crispy treats so I can stay ‘jacked’ for the whole hike!"

Michael Christoffersen on his second day of YCP

It’s clear that the YCP crew works hard, both physically and mentally, so staying energized is essential! 

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Wells Fargo Supports Youth and Diversity Programming in Grand Teton National Park with $50,000 Grant

Part of $100 million effort to support environmental nonprofits across the country

Jackson, WY, July 29, 2013—The Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program has awarded $50,000 to Grand Teton National Park Foundation in support of NPS Academy, a youth program based in Grand Teton that provides mentoring and national park internships to diverse college students.  Funded by Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the grant is part of a new Wells Fargo program aimed at awarding $15 million over the next five years to nonprofits focused on sustainable agriculture and forestry, land conservation and water resources, habitat and urban ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure, and environmental education.

NPS Academy is one of several programs funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation as part of an effort to promote youth engagement in Grand Teton National Park and build the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness stewards.  The program, which was conceived in Grand Teton, introduces diverse college students to a range of career paths within the National Park Service (NPS) through intensive mentorship, seminars, workshops, field trips, and recreational activities.  After successful completion of the spring break program, qualified students are placed into 12-week summer internships in national parks across the country.  The program entered its third season in summer 2013 and has also expanded to include spring break programming in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.

“We are thrilled to have Wells Fargo’s help in funding this program to recruit a younger audience of wilderness enthusiasts and a more diverse workforce for the NPS.  This is a fantastic program that will keep Grand Teton relevant to future generations and in pristine condition for years to come,” says Leslie Mattson, president of Grand Teton National Park Foundation.

The Foundation’s request was selected from among 500 proposals submitted by local Wells Fargo team members and nonprofits.  In April 2012, Wells Fargo released a set of environmental commitments to be achieved by 2020, including reducing the company’s environmental impact, financing the transition to a greener economy, and encouraging stronger and more sustainable communities.

Jim Ryan, market president and head of business banking at Wells Fargo in Jackson, Wyoming, notes how strongly the program resonates with Wells Fargo’s own vision and values.  “The work NPS Academy is doing to promote diversity among park service employees and national park visitors is profound and effective.  We at Wells Fargo are proud to support this quality youth engagement effort in Grand Teton.”

Ten NPS Academy students are currently working in internships in Grand Teton National Park this summer, learning new skills and gaining a better understanding of the NPS through a wide vary of positions:  visitor center interpretation; assistant to the volunteer coordinator; safety, risk management, and structural fire; public affairs; trails; and bioscience.  Internships will be complete by mid-August.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Grand Teton National Park Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to fund projects that protect and enhance Grand Teton National Park’s treasured resources.  By funding initiatives that go beyond what the NPS could accomplish on its own, the Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and projects that enhance visitors’ experiences, creating a solid future for Grand Teton.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets.  Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States.  Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2013 rankings of America’s largest corporations.  Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. 


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Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 5

While the contrary may seem true, hiking trails do not simply build themselves.  Trail design, construction and maintenance take expertise, as well as a lot of work.  Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program (YCP) students learn firsthand all that it takes and more.  During the ten week program, the teens build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. 

This week's "Trail Talk" features Grand Teton National Park YCP Trail Crew Leader Alex St. Clair and his take on their voracious desire to learn.  Watch the following one-minute video to hear in Alex's own words:

As funders of YCP, Grand Teton National Park Foundation could not be more proud of Alex's assessment, as he articulates, "They've already come so far and they're asking the hard questions.  They truly want to know more and they want to know why.  They want to know why the park does something this way.  Why does the fire crew do it this way?  Why does the trail crew do it this way?  What is the purpose?".

More to come next week!

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 4

Crew leader Alex St. Clair reports another great week for YCP! Work near the Lupine Meadows trailhead (asphalt removal/causeway construction) continues and is nearing completion.  The trail has been officially re-opened and the crew will return to put finishing touches on the project later in the season.

The crew spent Tuesday going through a series of stations with the Jenny Lake Rangers: Grand Teton's experts on search and rescue.  YCP teens learned about rigging and mechanical advantages and how to properly pack and transport a patient in a litter.  They also spent some time on the climbing wall.  

After the educational component, the rangers grilled hot dogs and cheeseburgers and everyone enjoyed a nice lunch. Then the "ship" (helicopter) came in and the crew was allowed to poke around inside and got a basic rundown on heli-operations. The day with the JL Rangers culminated with a short haul demonstration, which everyone enjoyed thoroughly (summarized by Alex St. Clair, "who doesn't like helicopters?!").

On Wednesday and Thursday, the crew split up with a majority going north to Two Ocean Lake Road to do some fire prevention work with some of the area's fire experts, including the fuels crew from the Blackrock Ranger Station, Engine 3, Engine 4, the fire effects crew, and a handful of the fire officers. The YCP crew served as 'swampers,' spreading brush and rolling and carrying logs. During these days of hard work, the 'fire dawgs' provided the crew with some great information about what their jobs as firefighters entail.

This week, a special thank you goes to our corporate donors who have provided support for youth engagement in Grand Teton through generous funding for YCP:
Coca-Cola
Patagonia
U.S. Bank
Vail Resorts

About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 3

Last week's activities included a morning with the park's Interpretation department on an interpretive and interactive hike.  The crew then spent the afternoon brushing an overgrown section of the Taggart Lake Trail. They also spent two days at Wister Draw putting the finishing touches on an eroding horse trail by installing slope retaining walls and log checks, de-compacting old, abandoned trail and removing invasive species (hounds tongue) around the Wister Draw trail. They also cut more than 30 notches with cross cuts, chisels and draw knives for the Lupine Meadows project.

 Week 3's participant testimonial comes from returning member MacKenzie Epperson-Valum: when asked why she enjoyed performing the finishing details on trail work she responded, "Well, because I get to use my favorite tool (the McLeod), and it makes everything so beautiful!"  Thanks to MacKenzie and the rest of the crew from all of us who love hiking on Grand Teton's beautiful trails!

We would also like to recognize our 2013 youth program in-kind supporters who provided high-quality clothing and gear to outfit our participants for success on the trail: Marmot, Mountain Khakis, Skinny Skis, High Country Outfitters, Lee's Tees, and FITS Sock Company.  THANK YOU!


About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 2

Here's Week 2 of "Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton's Youth Conservation Program"! The Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Over this ten week program, you'll hear from our teen trail crew, made up of 16 to 19 year olds from all over the country, as they work to improve the trails within Grand Teton National Park.
 
Park ranger and YCP leader Alex St. Clair reports another busy and productive week on the trails of Grand Teton.  The crew spend significant time destroying and hauling asphalt from the Lupine Meadows trailhead. They moved approximately 2 tons of material out and prepped for the installation of the timber causeway. Long, hot days prompted the crew leaders to provide ice cream and popsicles to keep the team energized. During a break on the Lupine Meadows project, crew member Matthew Marvin explain why he decided to participate in YCP this summer:  "It seemed like a great way to spend a summer outdoors, working hard and seeing new places...and it's nice to see my grandparents!"

The crew joined the rest of the park staff for a social event in Moose to listen to NPS Intermountain Regional Director, John Wessels, speak about the state of our national parks.

Next week, the crew will be working on trail improvements at Wister Draw, as well as doing rehabilitation work to the Colter Bay Swim beach.  Great work, YCP trail crew!

About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program

Welcome, to our first installment of "Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton's Youth Conservation Program"! The Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Over this ten week program, you'll hear from our teen trail crew, made up of 16 to 19 year olds from all over the country, as they work to improve the trails within Grand Teton National Park.

The 2013 YCP Crew on their second day of the season.

The 2013 program began on Monday, June 17th and in the first two weeks, the crew has started the demolition of 500 feet of asphalt at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.  They peeled more than 400 feet of native timber, that will be used for the construction of a causeway, or a path across a wetland that is raised up on an embankment, at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.  They've also performed drainage maintenance, covering approximately 10 miles of trail along Taggart Lake, and also to Amphitheatre Lake.

The crew's leader, Grand Teton National Park Ranger, Alex St. Clair, reports that the crew is doing an amazing job.  St. Clair continued that the Rangers challenged the teens with some very difficult days at the beginning of the program, which they handled very well.  St. Clair attests that each teen went home tired every day, which is a goal of his.  YCP trail crew member, Charles Smith said to St. Clair," You guys really know how to work a guy!".  Don't be mistaken though, this is a promising crew.  Near the end of a long day, when asked if he was running out of steam, Peyton Ingalls, YCP trail crew member responded, "No way! I've got steam for days!!!".

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training. 

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY GRANTS FUNDING TO SUPPORT GRAND TETON YOUTH TRAIL CREW

The Coca-Cola Company has awarded Grand Teton National Park Foundation $25,000 to support ten weeks of trail repair and historic site maintenance in Grand Teton National Park through the Youth Conservation Program, a privately funded summer work-and-learn opportunity for 16 to 19-year-olds that operates each summer. The program began in June with twenty-two participants who are accomplishing hands-on work in the park in exchange for a unique education and outdoor adventure. The Coca-Cola Company offers competitive grants that focus on active, healthy living and programs that connect youth to the outdoors. Funding will be used to advance this ongoing program that is currently in its seventh season.

“This is the second year Coca-Cola has partnered with the Foundation to bring students into nature to enjoy unique experiences,” Foundation President Leslie Mattson said. “There’s a national movement to encourage young people to be active outdoors, and Coca-Cola has a long history of funding community outdoor programs and projects in national parks. This partnership not only provides the resources we need to keep our youth trail crew working in the park, but our story reaches a wider audience and that’s how great ideas grow.”

Nearly 120 students have participated in Youth Conservation Program since it started in 2006. What began as a small community experiment with thirteen teens has grown into a popular outdoor institution that attracts applicants from across the country. The teen crew fills a unique niche in the park as it tackles trail-related projects and other needs, and mentors teach job skills, introduce National Park Service jobs, and help participants develop a conservation ethic.

“Coca-Cola has a longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles,” said Quinton Martin, vice president of community marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “Students that participate in the Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s Youth Conservation Program spend their summers learning about the importance of conservation and building life-long habits through outdoor activities and adventures.”

Not only does the program creatively solve challenges in Grand Teton, it is part of a long-term strategy to introduce a younger audience to the park and outdoor recreation. Youth Conservation Program is privately funded by Foundation donors and has contributed more than 48,000 hours to Grand Teton National Park to accomplish projects that would not be completed otherwise.

To learn more about Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Youth Conservation Program, visit www.gtnpf.org or follow the organization’s daily updates at www.twitter.com/GrandTetonFdn
 and www.facebook/gtnpf.

The North Face Awards Explore Fund Grant to Grand Teton National Park Foundation

Youth Conservation Program supports a national effort to increase outdoor exploration among youth in Grand Teton National Park

 Jackson, Wyoming, June 18, 2012—The North Face, has awarded an Explore Fund grant to Grand Teton National Park Foundation for Youth Conservation Program (YCP), a teen trail crew that begins a ten-week season today in Grand Teton National Park. The Explore Fund’s mission is to inspire and enable the next generation of explorers by funding nonprofit organizations that are working to reconnect children with nature. By encouraging an active healthy lifestyle and protection of our natural landscapes, a stronger connection of youth to the outdoors can be nurtured. Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Grand Teton National Park’s fundraising partner, brings young people into the park in an effort to build the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness stewards.  Grand Teton National Park Foundation was selected from over five hundred applications submitted for the first of two grant cycles in 2012, because this valuable program provides a unique outdoor education for approximately twenty teens each summer while they complete much needed trail and historic site projects that significantly improve park resources. Since The Explore Fund was initiated in 2010, The North Face has provided $625,000 in grants to nonprofits working to connect youth to the outdoors.

“The Foundation is proud to be a part of the greater movement to immerse youth in our parks and to help them understand the importance of wilderness,” Leslie Mattson, the Foundation’s president, says.  “Funding from the North Face Explore Fund and many other donors is critical to bringing the youth trail crew to Grand Teton for another year.  This program addresses real needs in the park while introducing stewardship and the greater issues facing protected lands today.”

YCP was established in 2006 to provide a unique summer employment opportunity for young people in Grand Teton while also teaching about park history, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and a wealth of other topics.  The program reaches 16-19-year-olds, and their improvement projects have enhanced the experience of millions of park visitors each year.  YCP has provided more than 42,000 hours of valuable labor on park trails and historic sites—work that would not have been accomplished otherwise.  Since the Initiative’s founding, nearly 130 young people have been immersed in outdoor adventures and received a unique wilderness education.  The program also focuses heavily on youth development and includes leadership opportunities, mentoring, and teamwork and is unlike any other offered in the region due to the hands-on experiences and the potential for advancement into the park’s leadership academy and possible employment in the future. 

In addition, Grand Teton National Park Foundation has been able to advance this program exponentially with the support of it partner, Grand Teton National Park, and many funding partners.  Grand Teton recruits the students and trail crew leaders spend each day with the crew in the field, providing guidance and developing relationships.  Other park divisions also work with the crew to teach students about search-and-rescue services, fire, backcountry safety, and many other park-related topics.  This program would not be possible without generous individual, corporate, and foundation gifts and grants that bring critical funding each year to assure YCP will have the resources it needs to operate effectively.

“The Outdoor Foundation has identified that a barrier to getting youth outdoors is lack of opportunity for kids to learn about and actually get to outdoors. We believe this has to happen at a grass roots, community level,” said Ann Krcik, director of Outdoor Participation at The North Face. “During the granting process, we make a conscious effort to reflect on what we refer to as the virtuous cycle. We first need to provide the opportunity for kids to get outside and play. If we can provide them with an initial positive experience outdoors, they will grow up inspired to care about their natural world.”

The YCP trail crew operates each June to August. To learn more about Grand Teton National Park Foundation and YCP visit www.gtnpf.org.  For more information about The North Face Explore Fund, please visit www.explorefund.org

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation

Grand Teton National Park Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to fund projects that protect and enhance Grand Teton National Park’s treasured resources.  By funding initiatives that go beyond what the NPS could accomplish on its own, the Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and projects that enhance visitors’ experiences, creating a solid future for Grand Teton.

About The North Face®

The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.

About PlanetExplore

PlanetExplore is an online community founded by The North Face, powered by partner organizations that share a passion for the outdoors, and designed to help individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities and events in their area. PlanetExplore is a portal to the outdoors designed to inspire and enable people of all ages to become regularly active outside, and to enjoy the benefits gained through a connection to nature.