In 2001, Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) crew. No one knew exactly what to expect. It didn’t take long for the crewmembers to bond with the park staff.
Each day of the program was filled with a new challenge, a new excitement, and a new awakening. The look on their faces as they conquered each new project rewarded the staff as much or more than the crewmembers themselves.
Most years since 2001, Hungry Mother has been a host site for a YCC crew. Regardless of the specific projects, one goal the staff continued throughout the years was to give the crew projects they could take pride in and would be able to return to the park one day with their own family and show off a lasting project.
On June 21, 2009, Hungry Mother State Park will host another crew of youth wanting to make a difference in their world. This year’s group will clear corridors on two trails, stain Hungry Mother’s environmental education facilities, install split rail fence, participate in a lake shore clean up, do some trail work and help with environmental programming including the Great American Backyard Campout. The group will also attend park programs like ‘Trick Your Stick” where they will make their own walking sticks, Music in the Park which highlights local music groups, and they will Canoe the New River with the staff of Hungry Mother.
The three weeks spent in the parks are not easy weeks. However, many crewmembers of the past have said the experience teaches them about nature, others, but mainly about themselves.
EVERYBODY NEEDS BEAUTY AS WELL AS BREAD, PLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY IN, WHERE NATURE MAY HEAL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO BODY AND SOUL.
~JOHN MUIR
The Youth Conservation Corp is a program where youth ages 14-17 are given the opportunity to come into one of Virginia’s State Parks to live and work for 3 weeks. Each crew consists of 10-12 youth and at least 2 supervisors and an intern. Upon graduation each participant is given a stipend for their work.