They would learn to do such things as dig, plant, construct trails, and build cabins. The experience is almost always their first time in the work force.
“We look for different ways to engage young people in stewardship with the National Park Services and Wildlife Refuges,” said Park Ranger Nancy Kelchner.
“The program is about more than just picking up trash. The kids learn all about the processes of nature and things like watersheds and what to do to mitigate the adverse effects visitors may have in the environment,” she explained.
“We educate young folks about conservation methods that are easy and doable for students.”
She described how even something simple like washing your car on your lawn as opposed to your driveway can make the biggest difference in our ecosystem. It also opens up the opportunity to share that education and spread awareness amongst neighbors and friends who may witness this act.
Our local Youth Conservation Corps is an eight-week program for high school students between the ages of 15 and 18.
Out of 30 applicants, five have been chosen: Mikhael Masongsong, Clariza Magat, James Estrada, Jiro Takai and Juleen Hiponia.
The program offers great opportunities for a first time worker: they receive training in First Aid, CPR, AED and fire extinguishers as well as gain public speaking and communication skills. What is more is that they are getting paid to do so.
Ranger Alpha Ecalnea, YCC supervisor and student temporary employment personnel for American Memorial Park, actually first became interested in the park services by participating in YCC three years ago.
She told Variety yesterday that the YCC members are now primarily preparing for the Ridge to Reef Rangers program for fourth and fifth graders which is to take place on July 25-29.
Some activities on the agenda include educational hikes around the island, snorkeling, and original games like “coral twister.”
The weeklong program is free of charge.
Members of Saipan Southern High School’s JROTC, the U.S. Navy, Coastal Resource Management, and the Division of Environmental Quality will be volunteering as counselors for the program.
The five YCC members shared their experience so far.
“I thought this would be something good to do during the summer so I wouldn’t be bored. Also, it has good pay,” Juleen Hiponia says. They are being paid the U.S. minimum wage rate.
Mikhael Masongsong likes “how they [National Park Services] observe the reefs and tell kids about it in order to prevent more damage since our reefs are now dying.”
“Today we learned how to do CPR,” said James Estrada as he depicts how an individual from the American Red Cross brought in a dummy and gave them hands-on training.
An enthusiastic Jiro Takai expressed his “great” interest in working for the National Park Services while Clariza Magat shared excitement to work with the little kids during the Ridge to Reef Rangers program.
According to Kelchner, “We provide all kinds of awesome experiences for everyone. We give the kids viable, concrete things to do as a kid to help the environment. We want them to have a real good take home message and to know that they are part of everything; they need to know they can be a helpful part.”
