Below you will find a series of Frequently Asked Questions. If you are looking for more information, please check this list first, then feel free to contact our staff by emailing corps@northwoodscenter.org for more information.

What are the season dates?

2025 season dates are June 20 (training/orientation) to August 1.

Crew Leader and Adult Crew Member positions are posted in late December and interviews start in January. 

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Member positions are posted in early February and interviews begin in March with hiring on a rolling basis. 

We keep all positions posted until they are filled but we do hire on a rolling basis so please get your applications in as soon as possible. We ask for 2-3 references. Letters of recommendations are appreciated but not required. 

We generally use email to contact applicants but we are happy to use other forms of communication if needed. Please provide any alternate ways of contacting or communication needs that you may have when you apply.

A typical workday for our YCC crews runs 8 am-4:30 pm, beginning and ending at NorthWoods Stewardship Center. You are expected to arrive by 8 am ready to work. We take two paid 15-minute breaks throughout the day and have a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Our crews should expect to be working hard in any and all weather conditions.

Our crews work physically demanding 8-hour days in all weather conditions. You should always pack at least two liters of water, a snack, and lunch. It is better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. It’s not fun or safe to bonk in the backcountry. 

Proper work attire is a priority. We ask that crew members arrive to NorthWoods ready in your work pants (some type of durable pants i.e. Carhartt, Dickies, hiking pants, etc.), work boots or hiking boots (no sneakers or running shoes) and a strong backpack that can fit tools, excess clothing/gear, and food and water. In your bag you will have proper rain gear (rain pants and jacket), PPE (eyes, ears, head, hands), bug spray, and sunscreen etc.

We do have some gear available for folks to borrow on a first come first serve basis. If you are really struggling to secure gear please let us know.

Yes, hard hat, safety glasses, and hearing protection will be provided. 

(We will have extra gloves on hand in case someone forgets theirs but otherwise everyone should have their own gloves.)

We typically allow a 5 minute phone break either at the beginning or end of lunch. Otherwise cell phones are not allowed to be used during work hours. 

You should not expect to have much contact with your phone including during commute time.

Using a phone outside of the allowed time will result in an infraction. This policy is set to ensure everyone is engaging during crew time and staying safe and on task.

Housing is not provided for YCC crew members under 18 years of age. It is expected that you arrive to NorthWoods Stewardship Center promptly at 8 am and have reliable transportation to and from the Center throughout the season.

Backcountry Youth Crew will be camping during the week (Monday-Friday returning back to NorthWoods by 4:30 Friday), and will not be provided housing on the weekends.

We prefer a full commitment from our YCC members with no major schedule conflicts June 20- August 1. We understand that circumstances arise, and we will do our best to work with our employees. If time off is needed, we prefer as much notice as possible.

Crew leaders will provide transportation from NorthWoods to the job site in the morning, and from the job site back to NorthWoods in the afternoon. It is expected that you arrive to NorthWoods Stewardship Center promptly at 8 am and have reliable transportation to and from the center throughout the season.

While our regular YCC crews are based out of NorthWoods, the Backcountry youth crew camps in proximity to their job site during the work week. This crew will get to experience the joy (and sometimes hardship) of living in the backcountry Monday – Friday.