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Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps offers work experience, job training, and environmental educational opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on Pennsylvania’s public lands.

In addition to hands-on job skills, the program provides learning opportunities weekly in resource management, environmental issues and topics, and recreation skills.

Corps members also will be provided with workforce development training and materials during their period of employment.

Who’s Eligible?

The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps consists of three components:

  • A nine-month program for young adults ages 18 - 25
  • A nine-month cultural resources crew
  • A six-week, summer program for youth ages of 15 - 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 2022.

Contact the Outdoor Corps program manager for more information.

 Videos

Ensuring the Future of Conservation

Building Careers and Connections

American Sign Language Inclusion Crew

 

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 youth employment and enrichment program is managed by the DCNR in cooperation with the Student Conservation Association, a national conservation jobs organization that has engaged thousands of young people nationwide in hands-on service to the land to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities.

Program Funding 

The 2022 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.