Idaho Conservation Corps provides a challenging education and job-training experience that helps youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds develop the skills they need to lead full and productive lives.
Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC) is a state wide program of Northwest Youth Corps.
Northwest Youth Corps (established in 1984) and Idaho Conservation Corps provide opportunities for youth and young adults to learn, grow, and experience success. Our programs focus on education, challenge, community, leadership, and empowerment, and typically include epic outdoor experiences in some of the most wild and scenic places on Earth.
Our Idaho programs include residential conservation crews for both youth and young adults and an internship program for college aged participants.
Idaho Conservation Corps (ICC) is a state wide program of Northwest Youth Corps.
Northwest Youth Corps (established in 1984) and Idaho Conservation Corps provide opportunities for youth and young adults to learn, grow, and experience success. Our programs focus on education, challenge, community, leadership, and empowerment, and typically include epic outdoor experiences in some of the most wild and scenic places on Earth.
Our Idaho programs include residential conservation crews for both youth and young adults and an internship program for college aged participants.
Our programs are designed to help you gain the fundamental job skills, experience, and work ethic needed to reach any career goal – be it teacher, doctor, or wilderness ranger. Our programs have something to provide both a teenager looking for their first summer work experience and a recent college grad needing specific certifications to land their dream job. No matter the path you are on, we can help you reach your goals!
It is important to know that the work you do matters! We partner with land management agencies and like-minded non-profits across the west to complete high priority conservation projects designed to improve the lands and communities we serve. Typical projects include trail building, fuels reduction, habitat enhancement, stream restoration, and a host of other activities our interns perform, like monitoring bats in Idaho caves!
Immerse yourself in the wilds of Idaho. Play a vital role in improving public lands and the environment.
The residential Youth Camping program combines education and job skills training with outdoor adventure for 16 to 18 year olds. With the guidance of experienced field staff, youth crew members work on conservation, reforestation, and recreation projects, while developing leadership and teamwork skills. Crews camp for their entire session, traveling to new projects often and pursuing outdoor adventures on the weekends.
Benefits: Earn a weekly stipend and bonuses plus potential school credit.
Complete conservation projects by day, return home after. Play a vital role in improving your local community and the environment!
With experienced field staff guiding you, Youth Community participants complete service projects in their community with local park agencies and non-profit partners. Crews meet at a designated drop-off/pick-up site, Monday through Friday. Members spend an average of 6.5 hours per day on service-projects along with one hour per day participating in education lessons.
Benefits: Earn a weekly stipend and bonuses plus potential school credit.
Backcountry Leadership Program (BLP) provides additional leadership skills and training for those who excelled in a previous youth camping session. BLP’ers hike deep into secluded wilderness areas and work on intense, challenging, and technical projects, while practicing skills like goal setting, time management, positive motivation, and group leadership.
Benefits: Earn a weekly stipend and bonuses plus potential school credit.
Gain certifications and work experience needed to open career pathways towards your dream job. Play a vital role in improving our public lands and the environment.
Our young adult program is designed to provide hands-on training and experience to those interested in conservation corps, land and water resource management agencies, and other outdoor careers. The program integrates team-based work projects, education, and on-site vocational training into an experience that prioritizes personal growth, and the development of conservation work skills. Participants develop technical skills working on a variety of conservation projects while developing the soft skills needed to be successful in any career field.
Crews camp for their entire session, traveling to new projects often and pursuing outdoor adventures on the weekends.
Benefits: Earn a stipend and AmeriCorps Education Award.
Our Urban and Community Forestry program operates Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm (some variation expected, local housing not provided) in the Treasure Valley area. UCF focuses on improving the health and resilience of urban forests through projects that include tree planting, tree care, invasive species management, and creating defensible spaces to reduce fire risk. We collaborate with local communities, municipalities, and partners to enhance green spaces in urban areas, increasing access to nature and supporting sustainability efforts.
Benefits: Earn a stipend and AmeriCorps education award.
The Leadership Development Program (LDP) offers advanced training to aspiring outdoor enthusiasts interested in pursuing leadership roles with conservation and outdoor organizations.
Participants develop hard skills working on technical conservation projects while developing the soft skills required to successfully lead groups in the outdoors.
Benefits: Earn a stipend and AmeriCorps Education Award.
Our Internship Program provides training and hands-on experience with land and water resource management agencies, such as the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state organizations and non-profits, in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Benefits: Stipend and benefits vary based on position.
Our field staff perform many roles and are the key to our program’s success. They understand that being a leader is much more than being a boss. They have the drive, commitment, and mental toughness to carry them through the unexpected challenges that arise at the most inopportune of times: a remote location with bad weather, in the middle of trying to complete a mile of new trail, finish a bridge, or eradicate an invasive species. The position is multi-faceted and demanding, but makes an ideal setting for testing yourself and your leadership skills.
Benefits: Compensation varies based on position.
At Northwest Youth Corps, we value the unique perspectives and experiences that individuals bring to our programs, recognizing diversity as a cornerstone of strong communities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all participants and staff feel welcome, supported, and empowered to succeed. Our programs honor the historical significance of public lands while actively working to make outdoor spaces accessible and enriching for people of all backgrounds. We strive to provide opportunities for everyone to learn and grow, ensuring our programs benefit all, regardless of experience or identity.
Our Women’s Crews provide women who have historically been excluded from conservation and outdoor careers, the opportunity to gain job-skills and exposure to careers in parks and natural resource management.
These crews will carry out conservation projects under the supervision of a trained and experienced female crewleader, with other conservation professionals providing project guidance and mentorship.
In addition to the scheduled work projects, participants will learn more about careers through education provided by staff, who will also help these young women identify potential pathways to implement their goals.
Idaho Conservation Corps Update: Idaho Conservation Corps launched three young adult crews this month. In the beginning of September, 10 members met their leaders at …
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