Portland Youth Corps promotes personal and professional growth through community service, environmental stewardship, and hands-on conservation opportunities within Portland’s parks.
Fun,challenging, and rewarding volunteer service outside!
We will take on different projects to beautify and maintain the natural and urban parks around Portland. Our projects may include trail building and maintenance, invasive species removal, planting native plants, playground maintenance, citizen science, and assisting with the community gardens.
Have fun, earn $500 at the end of the program, build your confidence and leadership skills, explore future careers, and help your community.
You will gain job skills through a First Aid/CPR Course, Q&As with professionals in conservation, proper tool use, and plant identification. Along the way, the crew will forge strong friendships with each other and get to explore Portland’s parks.
24 volunteers that are 14 - 17 year olds and live in Portland, Maine. You must be 14 at the start of your chosen session.
If you are curious about careers in environmental science, serving in beautiful parks, or building trails, this program is for YOU! Applicants from underserved or minority communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Summer 2021
Your choice between two four-week sessions during summer break!
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday through Friday.
Session 1: June 21- July 16, 2021
Session 2: July 19 - August 13, 2021
The crew will begin with an awesome four-day-overnight camp at The Ecology School in Saco. We will be immersed in Maine's ecology, have loads of fun, and learn all about conservation. After this week, we build off what we learned and volunteer in parks all over Portland.
The first week has three over-nights. Weeks two through four will be normal, commute to and from the project site.
The application period is from March 8 to April 5. Expect to hear back about your submission around the beginning of April. Apply online or mail your application to 212 Canco Road, Suite A, Portland Maine, 04103.
Until then, feel free to email mloury@portlandmaine.gov with any questions.
If you want to join our MAILING LIST, please fill out this Google Form.
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Even though this is a volunteer program, we want you to get as much professional development as possible, starting with the application process. You will submit your application online or mail it into the address listed above. We will start reviewing applications in the beginning of April. After we have reviewed applications, you will be contacted for an interview.
How will we get to the job sites?
Depends where we will be serving. Some days we will meet at a park that is accessible by public transportation. When volunteer sites are harder to get to, we will pick members up at specific locations.
Will members receive lunch or should we bring lunch?
Currently TBD.
Do I need a work permit because I am not 16?
Nope! This is a volunteer service. The payment you will receive is a stipend. You earn this at the end of the four week period.
How does one receive the stipend?
You receive it at the end of your four week service. If you have more than three excused absences or more than one unexcused absence, you will forfeit your stipend. Covid is an exception.
