3 Things to Keep in Mind When Working with Youth Crews

1) Project Selection: Look for a project that has a clear before and after. It’s easiest to keep a crew motivated when they see their progress along the way and have a vision for what the end result should be. Projects should be able to support the number of crew members with a variety of tasks that need to be completed. Be sure that someone from the Club is available to be the point person and provide project direction and feedback during the course of program.

2) Set Realistic Expectations: It’s hard to say exactly how much a crew will complete in a given period of time as there are many factors. For some crews this may be the first time they’re doing this type of work, while others may have a full season or more of trail work under their belt. It’s best to have a signature project but also have contingencies for the crew if they finish early, or don’t get everything done. Having extra projects mapped out and a plan to have volunteers wrap up or come assist if there are circumstances that slow the crew down is a good idea.

3) Mentoring the Next Generation: The choice to work with a youth crew may not always be the quickest and most efficient way to get work done but the goal of the partnership is about more than the just getting the work done.  The cross-generational mentoring that comes with Club volunteers working alongside teens and young adults can be magical. Remember that by creating these spaces for learning while getting necessary work done you are building the next generation of Trail stewards.