Update: Onondaga Cave State Park to host Cave Conservation Corps Day Camp July 14-16

The "lily pad room" in Onondaga Cave in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Children ages 9-15 can spend three days with park naturalists learning about caves at Onondaga Cave State Park on July 14-16. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, participants will be able to experience a variety of hands-on activities related to caves. The event was previously scheduled for June 9-11, but is being held on alternative dates.

Participants will learn about cave geology, cave ecosystems, cave biology, the cave food chain and cave preservation. Activities will take place above and below ground. Additionally, campers will get an opportunity to help restore a portion of the cave by participating in their very own cave restoration project and a wild caving experience hosted by trained professional cavers. The camp will be limited to 20 participants and a small fee to cover the cost of materials will apply. Those interested in participating can find the registration form at the online event listing here.

Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off I-44 on Highway H. For more information about the event, call the Onondaga Cave State Park at 573-245-6576. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Onondaga Cave State Park to host Cave Conservation Corps Day Camp June 9-11

The "lily pad room" in Onondaga Cave in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Children ages 9-15 can spend three days with park naturalists learning about caves at Onondaga Cave State Park. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, participants will be able to experience a variety of hands-on activities related to caves.

Participants will learn about cave geology, cave ecosystems, cave biology, the cave food chain and cave preservation. Activities will take place above and below ground. Additionally, campers will get an opportunity to help restore a portion of the cave by participating in their very own cave restoration project and a wild caving experience hosted by trained professional cavers. The camp will be limited to 20 participants and a small fee to cover the cost of materials will apply. Those interested in participating can find the registration form at the online event listing here.

Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off I-44 on Highway H. For more information about the event, call the Onondaga Cave State Park at 573-245-6576. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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State Parks Youth Corps now accepting 2014 applications, Gov. Nixon announces

Seal of Missouri. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A nationally recognized jobs initiative for young adults is returning for its fifth year, Gov. Nixon announced today. State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), launched by the Governor in 2010, provides Missouri youth with the opportunity to work outdoors improving Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. SPYC employs eligible Missourians between the ages of 17 and 23 at parks, historic sites and natural areas across Missouri, from May 1 through Dec. 31. Applications for the program are now being accepted online at thinkoutside.mo.gov.

“State Parks Youth Corps gives young Missourians the opportunity to gain valuable job skills while making a difference in Missouri’s outdoor areas,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “Since 2010, we’ve been able to undertake a wide variety of meaningful projects and are looking forward to what these young people are sure to accomplish in 2014.”

“We’ve been incredibly pleased with the contributions these young people have made to Missouri’s state parks and historic sites over the past several years,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks. “We look forward to continuing this important partnership for the benefit of the participants and the state’s award-winning parks system.”

Since the program began in 2010, SPYC workers have completed more than 550,000 hours in Missouri state parks and historic sites. During 2013, SPYC workers put in more than 70,000 hours, performing a variety of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance work and trail construction to interpretation and stewardship efforts. Examples included treating 365 acres of Long Branch State Park for invasive plant species; repairing and repainting 15 picnic tables, 12 benches, and 60 grills at St. Joe State Park; leading nearly 1,700 tours at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park; and working to build an accessible pathway at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site.

State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) is administered by Missouri’s Workforce Investment Boards in partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development. In 2013, Missouri State Parks Youth Corps was accepted as a part of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC).

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Mark Twain National Forest offers opportunities for youth to work-learn-earn program with Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

Youth Conservation Corps (Photo credit: Forest Service - Northern Region)

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer work-learn-earn program for youth that helps develop an understanding and appreciation of the environment. It offers summer employment for 8 weeks on the Mark Twain National Forest at the Ava, Salem, and Cedar Creek (Fulton) Districts for youth 15-18 years of age.

Enrollees will be paid minimum wage ($7.35/hour) for a 40-hour work week, from June 3 until July 26. Projects include building trails, maintaining and cleaning up campgrounds, and improving wildlife habitat.

If you like to work outdoors, complete the YCC application form and return it to the Forest Service by April 15, 2013. Fax the applications to Jane Mobley at 573-996-7745. If you have questions, contact jmobley@fs.fed.us or by calling 573-996-2153.

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