[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NORTHWEST YOUTH CORPS ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, this weekend, the Northwest Youth 
Corps celebrated its 30th year of providing young people with 
opportunities to learn and lead. For three decades, Northwest Youth 
Corps has educated youth and young adults and instilled in them a 
strong sense of leadership, community, and environmental stewardship.
  Northwest Youth Corps, NYC, founder Art Pope created NYC in 1984. Mr. 
Pope's inspiration for the NYC stemmed from the 1930s-era Civilian 
Conservation Corps, CCC, which provided work to the unemployed during 
the Great Depression. Mr. Pope was inspired by the hands-on, education-
based model of the CCC and wanted to extend the vision of hard work and 
service to modern youth. The NYC philosophy encourages youth to pursue 
individual achievement, develop a solid work ethic and leadership 
skills, all while benefitting their communities and the environment.
  Thirty years ago, NYC extended this vision to its first class of 52 
students. Today, NYC serves more than 1,000 teens per year across 5 
States. NYC offers a wide variety of programs for youth and teens from 
12 to 19 years old. Youth enrolled in NYC summer programs learn 
conservation values in a hands-on learning environment. Summer programs 
range from teaching youth how to build trails and enhance natural 
habitats to 6-week camping programs where teens learn reforestation 
techniques. At the summer program graduation last year, I saw firsthand 
the sense of accomplishment and pride NYC students feel upon completing 
6 weeks of conservation efforts in our State's beautiful forests.
  In 1997, NYC drew from the success of its summer programs and 
established a full-year high school. Over the past 17 years, the 
OutDoor High School has grown into a fully-accredited, tuition-free, 
private high school with a strong focus on applied learning and 
environmental stewardship.
  NYC's hands-on conservation education programs have enriched the 
lives of more than 16,000 students over the past 30 years, and have 
touched countless communities and ecosystems across the west. It is my 
pleasure to recognize Northwest Youth Corps 30th anniversary. I look 
forward to NYC's continued contribution to the community for many, many 
more years.

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