Each summer, through our National Service Corps programs, young people from Groundwork communities come together in national parks across the country to roll up their sleeves, step outside their comfort zones, and take on the vital work of caring for public lands. They learn by doing, challenge themselves, and discover what it truly means to care for both the environment and their communities.

In summer 2024, 171 young people from Groundwork communities dedicated over 9,000 hours to hands-on work in National Parks across the country—from Yellowstone and Grand Teton to Paterson Great Falls. But their impact went far beyond trail repairs and building bear boxes. It was a journey of discovery: exploring new places, gaining practical skills, building lasting community connections, and seeing their own potential in a whole new light.

Yellowstone National Park: Building Skills and Access

Since 2012, we’ve partnered with the National Park Service to provide young people from Groundwork communities with the opportunity to learn conservation skills in one of the country’s most iconic landscapes—Yellowstone National Park.

Each summer, teams of young people head to the park to build skills, connect with the land, and participate in meaningful conservation work. In 2024, 75 participants from eight cities repaired 335 feet of boardwalk at Norris Geyser Basin and installed 36 bear boxes—making the park safer and more accessible for everyone. This partnership continues to foster a deeper connection to nature and a lifelong commitment to its protection.

Tri-State Project: Connecting to Local Parks

For many young people in the New York metro area, nature can feel out of reach. Since 2021, teams from Groundwork Bridgeport, Groundwork Elizabeth, and Groundwork Hudson Valley have been changing that story by restoring trails, removing invasive plants, and breathing new life into Gateway National Recreation Area, Morristown National Historical Park, and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.

In 2024, over 16 days, youth rolled up their sleeves to repair hundreds of feet of fencing, repaint bathrooms, and care for shared green spaces—gaining real skills while deepening their connection to the land and their communities.

Grand Teton National Park: Work, Wonder, and Belonging

For the past five years, we’ve partnered with Grand Teton National Park to host Mountains to Main Street—a training program where young leaders from both within and beyond our Network develop skills in community outreach, education, and youth leadership at national parks.

Building on this partnership, in 2023 we launched our first-ever national Groundwork Crew program at Grand Teton National Park! In 2024, 18 youth spent two weeks at Grand Teton restoring historic cabins, maintaining trails, removing invasive plants, and collecting seeds for revegetation. Beyond the work, they connected deeply with nature through hiking, swimming, kayaking, and stargazing—building friendships, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging in both community and the outdoors.

What ties these projects together isn’t just the fences built or trails restored—it’s the transformation unfolding along the way. Young people are gaining confidence, forging community, acquiring valuable skills, and stepping into leadership roles. By investing in these programs, we’re expanding green spaces and strengthening resilient infrastructure, while supporting the next generation of changemakers to shape stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities for the future.

Check out more from our National Youth Initiatives!