THE VERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS (VYCC) IS A NONPROFIT YOUTH, LEADSERSHIP, SERVICE, CONVSERVATION, AND EDUCATION ORGANIZATION THAT INSTILLS IN INDIVIDUALS THE VALUES OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, HARD WORK, EDUCATION, SERVICE AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY USING CONSERVATION PROJECTS AS THE VEHICLE FOR LEARNING IN AN INTENSE ENVIRONMENT. EACH YEAR, THE VYCC HIRES PARTICIPANTS WHO WORK AND STUDY TOGETHER UNDER ADULT LEADERSHIP TO COMPLETE HIGH-PRIORITY CONSERVATION PROJECTS SUCH AS TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND BACKCOUNTRY CONSTRUCTION. THROUGH TH EPERFORMANCE OF THIS IMPORTANT WORK, YOUNG PEOPLE EXPAND THEIR JOB AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND DEVELOP PERSONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND AN AWARENESS OF SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. ALL VYCC JOBS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY COMPREHENSIZE AND INTENSIVE TRAINING, CLOSE SUPERVISION, AND EXTENSIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUAL LEARNING AND PERSONAL GROWTH.