Four Corners Region Youth Crews
Middle School Service-Learning Crews
SUMMER 2025 APPLICATION COMING SOON!
Where: Cortez, CO & Durango, CO
What: 2-week Service-Learning Crew (SLC) for 11–13-year-olds in Montezuma County, CO and La Plata County. The SLC connects youth to their communities through meaningful outdoor-based service projects, education, and group recreation activities. Youth volunteer their time on a crew led by 2 adult crew leaders.
When: Summer 2025 dates coming soon!
Benefits: Program provided FREE-OF-COST. Transportation from meeting location to Project site, Lunch and snacks provided, SCC T-Shirt
Requirements: Students must commit to a two-week session. Paperwork and volunteer forms must be completed prior to program start. Preference given to residents of Montezuma County, CO and La Plata County, CO.
La Plata County Residents: Summer 2025 dates coming soon!
Montezuma County Residents: Summer 2025 dates coming soon!
High School Conservation Crews
Serving Youth from La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, San Juan, Dolores, and Northern New Mexico Counties
SUMMER 2025 APPLICATION COMING SOON!
(No resume, cover letter, or references needed in application)
Still deciding? Keep on reading to learn more information!
Four Corners youth crews participate in meaningful project work in their local counties. Crews consist of 6-8 members, ages 14-18, with 2 experienced adult crew leaders. Youth Crew members are paid $14.42/hour for 32-36 hrs/week.
As a crew, they participate in invasive species removal, tree planting, small scale agriculture, painting, fence building, trail maintenance and construction, habitat improvement projects, and community clean ups.
Along with completing impactful project work, our program focuses on youth development. Lessons on leadership, team building, communication, environmental stewardship, and a wide array of topics dependent on crew interest are incorporated into the workday.
Four Corners Youth Crew Schedules
Camping crews work Monday through Friday for 4 weeks, day crews work Monday through Thursday for 4 weeks. Project work is completed Mon-Thurs. Friday is an education day for camping crews.
Youth living in Montezuma County and Dolores County will meet for work in Cortez CO. Youth living in La Plata, Archuleta, San Juan, and Northern New Mexico Counties will meet for work at the Old Fort at Hesperus, in Hesperus CO (location may vary for Day Crew members).
First Session | Second Session |
|---|---|
| Day Crew: TBD | Day Crew: TBD |
| Camping Crew: TBD | Camping Crew: TBD |
- Day Crew- Will meet at a pre-determined location in your region, SCC will help accommodate participants that need transportation. Typical workdays run from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM Monday-Thursday, with the crew member being dropped off at the pre-determined location at 4:30 PM each workday. Day crews return home every evening and do not camp.
- Camping Crew- Camping crews will meet Monday at 8 AM (except the first week of session, when you will meet on Sunday), and you and your crew will load up in a van and travel to your work site for the week. Camping crews spend Monday-Friday working from 8:00-4:30 PM and are expected to participate after the workday in camp chores, evening education lessons, and daily meals for the crew. Crews will spend part of Friday on an educational lesson and the rest of the day cleaning up their gear from the work week. Pick up will be Friday afternoon at a pre-determined drop-off location & time. All food and cooking gear is provided during the work week. Camping gear can be provided if needed.
- Indigenous Crew- The Indigenous Youth Crew is focused on creating an inclusive Native High School youth crew serving the Four Corners, with Native leadership. The Indigenous Youth Crew will meet Monday at 8 AM (except the first week of session, when you will meet on Sunday), and you and your crew will load up in a van and travel to your work site for the week. The indigenous youth crews will spend Monday-Friday working from 8:00-4:30 PM and are expected to participate after the workday in camp chores, evening education lessons, and daily meals for the crew. Crews will spend part of Friday on an educational lesson and the rest of the day cleaning up their gear from the work week. Pick up will be Friday afternoon at a pre-determined drop-off location & time. All food and cooking gear is provided during the work week. Camping gear can be provided if needed.
- Backcountry Crew- The Youth Backcountry Crew is for SCC returners or youth with similar backpacking, trail maintenance or other relevant experience. The crew will work two 9-day backpacking and trail work sessions with 6 days off between. More information to come!
Questions can be directed to Jacob Mandell
Youth Programs Manager Durango Office jmandell@conservationlegacy.org
970-238-6454
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Year Three of the Youth Advisory Council!
Eight alumni from the 2023 summer season have been meeting twice a month since September 2023 to have their voices heard in crafting the future of SCC’s youth programs. Look for opportunities to join the YAC after our 2024 summer field season.
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Year Two of the Middle School Program a Success!
SCC ran a Middle School Service Learning Crew in La Plata and Montezuma County during the summer of 2023, the first ever in La Plata County and the second in Montezuma County. The programs provide FREE 2-week summer camps that introduce youth to conservation! It's a great stepping stone to our paid High School positions.
