Youth Forest Stewards (YFS)

About the Program

The Youth Forest Stewards (YFS) is a program that engages high school aged students (age 14-18) in natural resources and conservation based work outdoors. YFS students will participate in up to seven forest stewardship volunteer projects between the summer months of June through September. Each project will differ and may include new trail construction, tree thinning, fish surveys, wildlife habitat restoration, and much more! The culmination of the summer program will result in the students planning, promoting, and leading a volunteer project of their own in September. By joining the YFS crew, you will help build a community of like-minded students focused on bettering the White River National Forest.

Student Benefits

Build friendships
Earn community service hours
$200 education award upon completion of program
Develop meaningful skills and connections in the natural resources professional field
Leadership development and resume building workshops
Make a difference on the public lands of Summit County

Student Expectations

Must be 14-18 years old (not quite there yet? Email Emily for possible exceptions!)
Provide your own transportation to all project locations or nearby meeting spots (within Summit County)
Dress appropriately for each project and bring an adequate amount of water and food for the day
A positive attitude and engagement in each project
Attend at least 5 of the project dates (listed below) in order to graduate the program – if a day is missed, the participant can work with instructors to make up that date.

2025 Project Dates

Saturday, June 7: National Trails Day- Lake Dillon Clean Up
Wednesday, June 18: Buck and Rail Fence Building
Saturday, July 12: Summit County Community Weed Pull
Saturday, July 26: Tree thinning/ Forest Health
Wednesday, August 6: Fish Shocking
Saturday, August 23: General Trail Maintenance/ Tread Work
Saturday, September 27: National Public Lands Day trail project and YFS recognition ceremony

Applications are now open!

Apply Here!

Check out other volunteer opportunities

“I’ve learned quite a bit about how they put the trails together. How they build the fences, how they put the turnpikes together, and also how to use a couple tools that I’ve never used before. I think it’s been very valuable. I’ve learned a lot of different things, I’ve got to meet a lot of different people, and I got to be outside which is really fun.”

Brayden, 2021 YFS

FDRD Education Award

Upon completion of the Youth Forest Stewards Program you will receive a $200 stipend to use towards education or furthering education. To complete the program, you must attend 5 of the 7 projects throughout the summer.