The Division of Youth Services, South Central Workforce Investment Board’s Youth Council and the Missouri Department of Conservation are implementing a pilot program to benefit youth and our natural resources by starting a Youth Conservation Corp in this area.
The boys are housed in the DYS Gentry Residential Facility in Cabool and are working across the area on public land to benefit natural resources and the people who enjoy them.
“This has been a great program by choosing kids that had restitution to pay back while teaching them job skills to contribute to their communities once they leave here,” said Hank Boyd, Gentry facility manager.
The YCC crew is made up of six-seven youths working on projects lasting
10-20 hours per week. For some projects, the youth and their adult supervisors camp overnight to minimize travel costs between work days. Working outdoors and camping allows DYS to incorporate their adventure-based counseling to teach the boys skills they need in a setting with minimal distractions.
“Our group therapy sessions after a long work day have been essential to the success of our program,” said DYS outdoor rehabilitation counselor Heith Crisp.
Projects completed and planned include wildlife habitat enhancement, removal of non-native nuisance vegetation, tree planting, flood damage cleanup, aquatic vegetation enhancement and trail maintenance.
“These boys have worked very hard, fighting off ticks, chiggers and poison ivy to help complete great projects that will benefit Missouri’s wildlife and citizens for many years to come,” said MDC biologist John Ackerson.
Projects are planned to be completed in Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Ripley and Shannon counties.