Overview
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps provides paid work to youth and young adults. Participants will:
- learn valuable career readiness skills;
- increase their understanding of environmental and trail restoration techniques;
- learn the workings of state parks and forests;
- engage in professional development; and
- develop valuable professional skills through teambuilding and leadership activities.
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CPR & First Aid
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Environmental Education
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Habitat Restoration
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Leave No Trace
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Resume Building
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Infrastructure Maintenance
How to Apply
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is run in partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Current opportunities and applications are available on the SCA website
Young Adult Program
The nine-month Young Adult Program is your chance to train for careers in state parks and forests while making a difference. This program is for ages 18-25.
Young Adult Program
Youth Summer Program
The Youth Summer Program is a chance for high-school-aged students to work, learn, and explore in state parks and forests across Pennsylvania! Field leaders (ages 21 and older) will mentor and guide the crews as they take on real conservation projects.
Youth Summer Program)
American Sign Language Crews
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps American Sign Language Inclusion Crew engages those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in meaningful conservation projects. The program is offered in partnership with CorpsTHAT and the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The experience will also include a camping excursion! All transportation, camping materials and food will be provided.
American Sign Language Crews
Cultural Resources Crew
The Cultural Resource Crew is a specialty young adult crew that provides aspiring archaeologists and preservationists with the professional skills necessary to build successful careers in land and cultural resource management.
Cultural Resources Crew
Roving Trail Crew
This specialty young adult crew takes on major trail improvement projects across Pennsylvania’s parks and forests. With food, lodging, and travel provided, members work in the field for eight-day hitches — developing technical skills, teamwork, and a lifelong connection to conservation.
Roving Trail Crew
State College Summer Crew
Spend your summer outdoors making a difference! College students in State College can gain hands-on experience in conservation through this paid, six-week program in state parks and forests. Field leaders guide and mentor crews as they protect and improve Pennsylvania’s public lands.
State College Summer CrewAdditional Information
The 2026 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is financially supported by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Reemployment Program and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, along with private contributions made through the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.
While the majority of the project work will be performed on state park and forest lands, the Corps will be available on for a fee-for-service to local land managers such as municipal and county parks and recreation departments during 2026. Contact the Outdoor Corps Regional Supervisor for more information.