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Vermont Youth Conservation Corps - June 2007
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VYCC receives Recreational Trails Program Award!
The VYCC/ Camp DREAM collaboration involved establishing a safe, one-mile beginner mountain bike/cross-country ski trail as well as the construction of a quarter mile-long boardwalk to provide educational access to a Class-II wetland, which will be used as an interpretive trail. VYCC and Camp DREAM, which is a Vermont youth mentoring organization that builds communities of families and college students that empower children from affordable housing neighborhoods to achieve their dreams, are continuing this successful partnership again this season with funding from the Recreational Trails Program funds administered by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. |
VYCC celebrates first Corps Member Start Up in the Leadership, Education & Training Center!
To volunteer for the second session Start Up on Saturday July 21st, contact Brian Cotterill at 802.434.3969 ext. 132 or brian@vycc.org. 
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VYCC's Youth in Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Graduates first student-interns!Traditionally, June marks the exciting beginning of a new field season at VYCC, as crews fan out across the state to begin their summer conservation work. For three VYCC crews and staff this year, June also marks the end of an equally exciting but new VYCC experience - the year-round school programs. The VYCC Youth in Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, in partnership with Mount Mansfield Union HS (Jericho, VT), Lamoille Union HS (Hyde Park, VT) and the Center for Technology at Essex (Essex, VT), accomplished many things this year! While engaging in the work-based learning program, Corps Members in this program worked with local farms, completed work on the Richmond Community Trail, made ten pairs of snowshoes, beautifully re-handled and maintained tools, created GIS maps of the community, and documented a landscape history of the West Monitor Barn all while earning academic credit towards their high school graduation. Congratulations to all for a wonderfully successful pilot year that will serve as the model for continued growth in this program. |
Leadership, Education & Training Center gets native trees donated and planted!
We are working to raise the last $200,000 required to fully complete the West Monitor Barn restoration and provide the finishing touches such as landscaping. If you would like to make a cash or in-kind donation to help us complete our $3.7 million campaign, please contact Kate Villa at 802.434.3969 ext. 110 or kate@vycc.org. |
Save the Date for the 2nd Annual Denim & Diamonds event!On Saturday October 13th, 2007, VYCC will host the second annual Denim & Diamonds event to support VYCC's program expansion since our move to the Leadership, Education & Training Center! The 2006 event was met with such rousing applause that we just have to do it again! With a seated dinner by Dish Catering, dancing and live music by the Chrome Cowboys, a fabulous Silent Auction, and Games of Chance, it's an event not to be missed! Earlybird tickets purchased before August 1, 2007 will receive a 10% discount. Demin & Diamonds information, or contact Polly Tobin Goddard at 802.434.3969 ext. 130 or polly@vycc.org. |
Faces Behind our SuccessFrom hosting our checking accounts to approving the construction loan for the project to restore the West Monitor Barn to become the VYCC’s Leadership, Education and Training Center, Chittenden Bank is a long-term and valued member of the VYCC community. Last fall, they donated funds to help support the barn restoration and to provide much needed landscaping improvements. This spring, crews from the Center for Technology-Essex used those funds to work with professional landscapers to install maple and spruce trees, giving our year-round crews the opportunity to learn valuable skills while creating a highly visible property improvement. Thank you to Jan Marinelli, Alice Durkin and the team at Chittenden for all of their support of the VYCC! |
Quote of the Month"From my first contact with VYCC, to the interview, to the training, I have been awed and impressed with the professionalism and accomplishments of the organization. The most impressive aspect of my experience has been the skill of the leadership! Thank you for an exemplary training!" -Anonymous Crew Leader at the end of Field Staff Training |
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The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, in collaboration with 
For 21 years, VYCC crews began their experience in parking lots across Vermont, but thanks to our new home, that is history! On June 16th, VYCC launched our first session from the Leadership, Education & Training Center, sending more than a dozen crews to every corner of the state to complete high-priority conservation work. Summer Program Director Brian Cotterill, VYCC veteran of six years and many Start Ups said, "For the first time ever, we had this big, beautiful barn as a beacon for Corps Members from across the state to come join their crews. And also for the first time ever, rain wasn't even a consideration for Start Up since we had the spacious Hay Mow to shelter us in the event of rain. but none threatened the horizon. another first!" 
In early June, the VYCC Agriculture & Natural Resource Crew and other volunteers transplanted thirty 10-15 foot spruce and maple trees to the Leadership, Education & Training Center. In the spring of 2006 when her piglets were threatened by rising water, Richmond farmer Mary Houle called on VYCC for emergency assistance. Help arrived quickly and moved the piglets to safety, and this month she returned the favor by donating trees to VYCC for one of the last remaining landscaping projects at the Center. Installation of the trees was completed by student-interns from the Center for Technology - Essex, who worked alongside professional landscapers to accomplish this highly visible property improvement. Thanks to Mary Houle and Chittenden Bank, whose generous donations made this project possible, and to the crews from CTE for all of their hard work!