Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps provides neurodivergent high school-age young adults (15-21) with an employment learning opportunity, incorporating outdoor education and hands-on learning in conservation work in Bainbridge Island parks. An expansion of our popular Student Conservation Corps Program, Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps serves a need identified for a supportive environment where neurodivergent young adults can learn job skills necessary to pursue career and educational opportunities in conservation after high school.
Eight neurodiverse teens and eight teen peer mentors will learn from Park District staff during a 12-day summer session in 2024, while completing conservation projects in Bainbridge Island parks, like removing invasive species, mulching native plants, or maintaining trails. Lunchtime speakers from the community share career advice with crews.
The goal of Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps is to link hands-on outdoor education with job training for neurodiverse teens. Teens will leave Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps with applicable job skills, greater social and emotional skills, and a deeper understanding of careers in their community in natural resources and conservation.
To Apply:
Applicants will meet at the Bainbridge Island Aquatic Center, 8532 Madison Ave N, for one hour, and have the option to move outdoors to Sakai Park across the street for the final hour of hands on activities.
- All applicants must attend at least one (1) application work party to apply.
- If you can absolutely not attend one of these scheduled events, please reach out to Program Coordinator Cody Ogren at codyogren@biparks.org.
- Participants MUST preregister by signing up here or emailing codyogren@biparks.org.
- If you are under 18, you and your parent/guardian must complete either a paper or digital copy of the Parent Authorization Form. You will be prompted to complete this form when registering for an account in our volunteer software. Or you can bring a hard copy to the work party. The Program Manager/Coordinator may reject any form that is not completed correctly. There are absolutely no exceptions.
