The Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program is a program of the Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department and Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, a program of the National Wildlife Federation. The goal of the YEP program is to positively engage a new generation of diverse youth leaders with the environment and the Anchorage community through meaningful training, employment, and outdoor recreation.
YEP in 2007 In 2007, the YEP program successfully completed its pilot summer. The program ran from May 29th – August 10th and employed 25 diverse Anchorage teens, ages 16-18, as Crew Members and 7 young adults in leadership roles. The YEP program featured a Parks side and a Recreation side. The Parks side of the program taught 20 youth about a variety of community and environmental topics. Visit the 2007 YEP Park Foundation website to see more specifically what the 2007 YEP Parks Crew Members learned and how they improved 37 Anchorage parks and trails! The Recreation side of the program brought children into a three-day-per-week neighborhood play program, which 5 Crew Members led, guided by full-time Recreation Division employees. YEP Recreation Crew Members learned important lessons about how to structure quality and safe recreation programs through organization, planning, teamwork and leadership. The YEP pilot program was made possible thanks to the help of 67 outside organizations and individuals and many others working within AYEA, AFACT, St. Anthony’s Church and the Municipality of Anchorage.
Watch the 2007 YEP video below!
YEP in 2008
The 2008 summer season of the YEP program is currently underway! This summer the YEP program has hired 1 Expeditor; 6 Crew Leaders; 6 Assistant Crew Leaders; and 42 Crew Members. In these positions, youth will have a great job and education experience and develop important leadership skills. During the program youth will have awesome outdoor leadership experiences through fun recreation and meaningful service projects. YEP will empower youth to contribute to the health of our community and stay involved with decisions that affect our quality of life. Participants are working on park improvement projects and helping plan and lead recreation activities in summer camps!
For more information on what the 2008 YEP Crew is up to or to provide financial/in-kind support to the YEP program visit the 2008 YEP Park Foundation website.
For general information on the YEP program contact April Reed, YEP Program Coordinator.
Thank you for your interest in the YEP program, a true community investment!
