HELENA, Mont. – The Helena Youth Corps plans to head out to the Rocky Mountain Ranger district to saw down blown down trees and help open up trails in the coming week. 

Last week, the group cleaned up old barbed wire fences and removed hazardous trees in the Dry Fork area.

“The Helena Youth Corps has been busy out on the forest accomplishing new trail miles and providing campground maintenance,” was posted on Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Facebook page. 

The Forest Service and Montana Conservation Corps partnered together to support the Helena Youth Corps and the summer long program. 

The Youth Corps is an 8-week paid summer opportunity designed for Montana teens ages 17 and 18 years old for hands-on learning and professional growth. Hitches, or projects, that are 9 days in length and require camping overnight, are a part of the program. 

Crew members work on conservation projects, boost job skills and build confidence as leaders.

Upon completion of the program, crew members earn an education award.