Cooperative Agreement P22AC01075

PURPOSE OF AWARD (SUMMARY OF THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT):THIS PROJECT PROMOTES AWARENESS OF AND ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND OTHER PUBLIC LANDS BY ENGAGING YOUTH LEADERS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, LEAD THEM IN EXPERIENTIAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, TEACH THEM ABOUT THE NPS, AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND HOW TO PLAN THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE. THE YOUNGER STUDENTS WHO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE YOUTH RANGERS LEARN ABOUT FISHING, RESPONSIBLE OUTDOOR RECREATION, ARCHERY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. THE PROJECT ALSO PROVIDES THESE 12 YOUTH RANGERS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT SEVERAL NATIONAL PARKS (MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME) AND MENTOR YOUNGER STUDENTS THROUGH THOSE TRIPS AS THEY LEARN HOW TO CAMP, HIKE, FISH.SUMMARY OF PROJECT SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT HIRES 12 HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE YOUTH LEADERS FROM THE DENVER METRO AREA AS "YOUTH RANGERS". THESE YOUTH WORK WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO EDUCATE 4,000+ YOUNGER STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND ENGAGE THEM IN FUN, SAFE, OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES LIKE - OFTEN FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NPS, COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE, ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FOR KIDS (A LOCAL NON-PROFIT), AND DENVER PARKS AND RECREATION. THE SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS THE REGIONAL OFFICE TO LEVERAGE A "TRAIN THE TRAINERS" MODEL IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IN THE DENVER AREA. THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER, THE YOUTH RANGERS RUN FISHING CLINICS, TEACH ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ARCHERY CLASSES, LEAD AND MENTOR YOUNGER STUDENTS ON CAMPING TRIPS, ASSIST NPS RANGERS AT OUTREACH EVENTS, AND PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF STEM-RELATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.PERFORMANCE GOALS INCLUDING MILESTONES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES:1. BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO ENGAGE UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH COMMUNITIES. A. BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS B. PROVIDE POSITIVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES FOR YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY (BOTH YOUTH RANGERS AND THE YOUNGER STUDENTS THEY TEACH AND MENTOR) C. CULTIVATE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND A SENSE OF CURIOSITY FOR THE OUTDOORS D. PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF EXPERIENCES FOR YOUTH, INCLUDING INTENTIONAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES E. REMOVE BARRIERS AND CONNECT COMMUNITIES TO FEDERAL LANDS 2. PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, LIFE SKILLS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH LEADERS THROUGH MEANINGFUL, PAID EMPLOYMENT. A. BUILD MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN NPS/PARTNER STAFF AND YOUTH RANGERS B. BUILD PEER MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN YOUTH RANGERS AND YOUNGER STUDENTS C. BUILD YOUTH RANGERS' RESUMES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF TEACHING, OUTREACH, MENTORING, AND OTHER EXPERIENCE D. INTRODUCE YOUTH RANGERS TO STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATHEMATICS)-RELATED PROFESSIONS ACROSS A SPECTRUM OF ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSESBENEFICIARIES: ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FOR KIDS