Editor’s Note: Recently I wondered why Vermont Youth Conservation Corps kids were asked to work on the Fourth of July rather than getting the day off. I wrote to VYCC with my question. VYCC’S Bethany Hanna provided this response:
You are correct that the VYCC is an independent nonprofit, although we often partner with state and federal agencies on many of the projects we complete, sharing costs under cooperative agreements. Approximately 20% of our funding comes from foundations, businesses, and individuals.
Regarding your question about VYCC crews working on the Fourth of July, the VYCC has traditionally viewed the Fourth and other summer holidays as workdays for multiple reasons. First, Corps Members and Crew Leaders work for a short period of time – four or seven weeks and as such, we do not offer holidays or paid time off. Second, and perhaps more importantly, working and living as part of a VYCC crew is really much more than a summer job. It truly is an educational experience – Corps Members learn while they maintain trails or build bridges, cook meals together, go for weekend excursions, discuss environmental and social issues, and participate in community and team building activities. We want to offer as many educational and job training experiences during their short period of time with the VYCC and their work on conservation projects – five days per week, eight hours per day – is an important part of this. Despite working on this holiday, I think many crews still enjoyed the holiday’s festivities together as a community, whether it was going to see fireworks or marching in a Fourth of July parade.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 