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Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers paid work experience, skills training, professional development, and environmental educational opportunities to youth and young adults who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.

Who’s Eligible?

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps consists of three components:

 Accordion



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Nine-Month Young Adult Crews

Nine-month young adult crews consist of a crew leader and five crew members (ages 18 to 25).

Nine-Month Cultural Resources Crew

The nine-month cultural resources crew consists of three members with a degree in anthropology, archaeology, history, architectural history, historic preservation or a related field under the supervision of a project leader.

Six-Week Summer Program for Youth

Six-week summer crews consists of an adult leader and six youth members (ages 15 to 18).


Crews Available for Local Park Work

While the majority of the project work will be performed on state park and forest lands, the corps will be available on a cost-share basis to local land managers such as municipal and county parks and recreation departments during 2024.

Contact the Outdoor Corps program assistant for more information.

Goals and Background

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps will help to protect and restore public lands and waters, while providing young people with the knowledge and expertise to be good stewards of our natural resources.

The program will connect youth and young adults with job opportunities relating to the outdoors and the environment and provide training in work skills necessary for future successful employment.

The program is managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in partnership with the Student Conservation Association, a national conservation jobs organization.

Program Funding 

The 2024 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is financially supported by DCNR and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Reemployment Program, along with private contributions made through the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.