Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Messages 1 - 15 of total 15 in this topic |
micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 22, 2017 - 07:32am PT
|
Hey Taco,
We have a family friend with a kid who's 15 and turning out to be a bit of a handful for his folks on a few "teenage" levels. Kinda mopey, some discipline issues, no real direction.....typical teenage stuff....but they'd love to get him outside and put him to work a bit this summer in Sequoia Kings Canyon or Yosemite. I know this kid, good kid overall....just needs a little direction and some sweat and fresh air.
Are yall aware of any programs out there in the Parks or National Forest (We live in Fresno) that do trail maintenance, manual labor, etc that a 15 year old can sign up for? Not looking for an Outward Bound type experience, just a job or experience to get him out there and get some work under his belt in the mountains rather than another summer in the city.
Thanks in advance!
Scott
|
|
Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 07:42am PT
|
Trail work? For an adolescent? Maybe the adults should do trail work and let the poor growing boy get some sleep.
|
|
c wilmot
climber
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 07:48am PT
|
Check out the ycc- the youth conservation corps.
I would advise the youth not to work hard though. Doing trail work as a living is a poor choice for most
Trail work- it's like fun, but different
|
|
Flip Flop
climber
Earth Planet, Universe
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 08:21am PT
|
Micro,
We've abandoned the concept of the apprenticeship. I might suggest finding a role model who can offer a summer of motivation and education. As an example, I would take on an apprentice if they were out of school and 18. I've thought about it. My major field is carpentry/ gypsy caravans, the perk is a minor emphasis in outdoor recreation. To make it work, I would need a contribution from the community of the apprentice for upkeep. I think that there's a workable business model.
You could take him on as a minion. Aren't you a computer super genius? Put him in your place and make him code. Then you've got a built in belay slave. Teach him Albinism. Hehe
Edit:Alpinism (damn you autocorrect:)
|
|
Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 08:28am PT
|
at 15 I think it is a parents job to enlighten their child, and help them see the big picture. At that age any public program is going to be more child care than work.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 08:29am PT
|
Plenty of outdoor appreciation opportunities coming up in the agricultural engineering fields soon. Right after all these criminal Mexicans are gone, there will be good paying jobs aplenty! Just down the road from SEKI too!
|
|
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
SLO, Ca
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 08:31am PT
|
When I was 15 I got a summer job in Wyoming and it was the best thing in my life at the time. Totally changed my trajectory.
|
|
ryankelly
Trad climber
Bhumi
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 08:52am PT
|
trail work for HS students: YCC / Yosemite Conservation Corps (I believe it will run as a day program again this year, used to be residential)
trail work for slightly older students: CCC / California Conservation Corps (residential multi-month backcountry trail crews)
other positions through: SCA / Student Conservation Association - they are huge and have placements all over the country and locally
The Nature Conservancy also offers some youth programs but I'm not sure if they are job or pay to play. Hope that helps. Message me if you want more contact info.
|
|
micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 22, 2017 - 09:13am PT
|
Fantastic intel Ryan. Thanks so much. I'll reach out to you if they end up wanting more specifics.
Scott
|
|
PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 10:08am PT
|
If you're wanting direction, the kid needs a mentor to look up to.
What about a church youth group? The one I grew up in was a very positive experience for me and we did all kinds of outdoor stuff. Doing something regular on a weekly bases in town will be much more beneficial that an occasional outdoor outing in the mountains.
|
|
John M
climber
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 10:16am PT
|
Thats too bad that they aren't running the youth conservation corp in Yosemite as a residential program. I believe they use to house them at badger for the summer. Maybe thats the California conservation corp. Not sure. I know Lisa and Paul Blankenship use to help run the program. They are good people.
|
|
Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 10:35am PT
|
SCA does great work.
In the Fresno area, High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew takes on such kids. Parent needs to be involved, though, or it is just babysitting.
http://www.trailcrew.org
|
|
micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 22, 2017 - 10:42am PT
|
Thanks for all the "life direction" pointers....but this kid has a fantastic family and friend group. Just looking for some "sweat equity and time in the outdoors" for a kid this summer who has been on a bit of a downhill trend with his behavior and direction a bit lately. He's all for finding something like this for the summer and we all think it would do his soul some good. I wouldn't say he falls into the "troubled teen" that you might be picturing. But the advice given so far for the programs in calif. is much appreciated. Thanks!
|
|
limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 - 11:04am PT
|
In addition to the Conservation Corps stuff that people have mentioned (and I've had students come out of that with positive results and a better work ethic), you can also contact the education department at SEKI. I got some students into an Active Trails program up there where they spent six weeks on a special trail crew with a great leader. If that interests you I can follow up with them, still good friends with a couple of the ed people up there.
If he'll be be 16 by this summer the Sequoia Parks Conservancy might employ him. They run the cave tours and such, with an upcoming job fair I believe.
Also, Hume Lake has youth employment. I spent the summer when I was 15 splitting wood up there with good role models around. Not sure if a parent has to be around or on staff.
Lastly, Students International is an organization we're part of that does medical, educational and humanitarian missions stuff in Central America in the summers. Anywhere from one to six weeks I believe. I used to come back from those weeks in the jungle with a new outlook on life. Those trips aren't cheap but they help with fundraising.
Nothing like some outdoors and a bit of work to learn that you want to go to school and get back to the hills on weekends!
|
|
Messages 1 - 15 of total 15 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|