Thank you!

The 42nd year of Yosemite's YCC Program has come to a close.  It was an extremely successful year with miles of trails built and maintained!  We send a thank you out to all of the families and friends that supported the Enrollees throughout their experience; this program would not be possible without you.

Award Dinner Invite

Yosemite YCC

Award Dinner

Families, Friends & Program Partners;

Let’s celebrate together the

Accomplishments of the 2013 YCC Season!

 

Friday, August 9^th, 2013, 5:00 p.m. at the East Auditorium

 

We will provide the food and beverage, we ask you to

bring a dessert item to share.

 

Please RSVP the number attending and if tri-tip, chicken or

vegetarian meal options are preferred by 8/5 to:

 

Camp Manager, Janelle McDonald

Janelle_McDonald@nps.gov or 209-379-1235

Parents/Guardians: You can meet us at El portal School at 4:00 p.m. and follow

YCC Staff to the  East Auditorium in Yosemite Valley at 4:30 p.m. 

YCC Enrollees will be released from the YCC Program at 7:00 p.m.;

 a parent or guardian must be present unless other arrangements

have been made with the Camp Manager. 

 

All Enrollees flying home will remain in the

program and will be transported to the airport Saturday morning by YCC Staff.

 

For anyone that is looking for lodging in or near the park, please visit

Yosemite.com or Yosemitepark.com for local lodging options. 

 

Environmental Awareness (EA)

 

 

A required component of the YCC program is Environmental Awareness.  Each week, the crews are committed to spending at least one hour per day learning about their natural surroundings.

Buck Camp

         Thanks to Erik, our cook, for sending in these photos of Buck Camp and the Green Crew.

 

Photo Time

Weekly updates in photos, thanks to the Blue Crew for submitting!

 

 

 

 

 



Dance Party!

This recreation weekend ended with a dance off at the school between the Blue and Red crews, it was fun to see all involved.

Temps are still high but not as high as last week, highs will be in the low 100's in El Portal.  This week the Green Crew will remain in Tuolumne Meadows working on trails.  The Blue Crew hiked back in to their spike camp, Buck Camp and the Red Crew will remain at the school and complete projects in the valley as well as on Glacier Point Road. 

Blue Crew prepared for their hike to Buck Camp with Stock support

 

Setting records and keeping cool!

We have survived the first 3 of a 9-day heat wave!  Temperatures in El Portal are running around 112 during the day.  As you can imagine, there has been a lot of mandatory swimming in the river time as we work through the heat. 

Updates for this week include Red Crew working out of El Portal, Blue Crew is headed to our spike camp, Buck Camp and Green Crew is moving to Tuolumne Meadows. 

4th of July is this week and all YCC Enrollees will enjoy a day off from work and join up with each other for a day of old time games, swimming and a barn dance in Wawona, pictures to follow.

Sunset over Ostrander Lake

Rain!!

View from base of Lower Yosemite Falls

YCC is experiencing something that doesn't happen all that often during our summer program, Rain!!!  Yesterday the crews were tested by these wet and cold conditions.  Overall, spirits are high and the crews know the sun and heat will be back tomorrow. 

The weekend backpacking trips were a success for all crews; several miles were hiked, mountains lakes were swam in, a super moon was enjoyed and there are only a few blisters to report.  They are already planning for their next adventure weekend.  

Today is YCC's first Project Day!

YCC Updates for the week:

Crew bonding as they untie the Human Knot

• All 32 Enrollees arrived on Sunday, representing 15 different states.
• CA, NV, WA, ID, AZ, UT, TX, MN, MI, IL, IN, GA, WV, VA and PA
• Monday and Tuesday were YCC training with Enrollees and Staff.

The Human Knot

• Today, all crews headed out to their worksites.
• Red Crew will spend the next 10 days working at Devil's Postpile National Monument.
• Green Crew will work on trail maintenance at Sentinel, Taft and Illouette Falls trails.
• Blue Crew will work out of Tuolumne with the Tuolumne Trail Crew. 

Enrollee Arrival Day!!! Sunday, June 16, 2013

• Mail/Shipment Address-please send all letters and packages to:

Name/YCC

PO Box 396

Yosemite, CA 95389

• Arrival Times
• Senior Enrollees - 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• New Enrollees - 4:00-6:00 p.m.

• El Portal School - 9670 Rancheria Flat Rd, El Portal, CA , 
• click on link for map: El Portal School
• look for the YCC Camp sign on Foresta Road

• Fresno Airport Shuttle (FAT) - 
• YCC staff will be near the Giant Sequoia
• They will arrive at 10:00 a.m.
• Any changes in your flight plans, please leave a message on the YCC office phone.

YCC Uniform

Enrollees, 

As you start to pack for this summer, please keep in mind the YCC Uniform Requirements. 

While working during the week, your uniform will include hiking/work boots, denim jeans, YCC work shirt (YCC provides), belt and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  You are responsible for your own work gloves (a few leather pairs should work), YCC provides the rest - helmet, safety glasses and ear protection.

YCC Workshirt, each enrollee receives 3 short-sleeve and 1 long-sleeve  shirt

YCC Staff Arrive!

Today, we welcome the YCC Leadership Team.  This includes 3 National Park Service crew leaders, 12 Student Conservation Association (SCA) crew leaders and 2 SCA Program Assistants.  The team will stay quite busy these next two weeks with staff training and preparing for the arrival of the 32 YCC enrollees in this year's program. 

Why a mummy bag you may ask?  If you have never used one of these bags, you may be skeptical at first by its design.  Why so narrow?  Why a hood?  Both of these features will help trap the warm air you create inside the bag and fill the space between you and the bag.  This results in a much warmer sleep and minimizes cold spots in your bag.    You will come to appreciate this on  those nights when the temperature dips below freezing.  

Mummy bags with down or synthetic fill are both appropriate for the climate you will be living in Yosemite.  Just remember, a down bag will not insulate when wet, a synthetic one will.  Down is usually lighter in weight, more compressible and has a higher price tag than synthetic. You will also need to take extra precaution from tearing a down bag, it only takes a small hole before the feathers begin to fall out.  

Synthetic fill bags will get the job done.  Heavier in weight and larger in compression size are the trade offs to  a lower price tag and more durable material.  These make great first-time mummy bag owners!

YCC Equipment List

Employment Packets were mailed out over the weekend. When you receive them, please take to time to review and forms and note important dates and times as well.  

Tioga Pass and HWY 120 are now open.  Snow is melting quickly and the waterfalls are surging.  Don't be fooled though by these warmer temperatures, you will still want to bring plenty of warm clothes and bedding for your summer nights in Tuolumne Meadows and when hiking through the high country passes.   Temperatures will fall below freezing several nights.

YCC Equipment List - 2013
*	Backpacking Pack-at least 2,800 cubic inches							All Leather work boots
*	Sleeping Bag-25 degrees or cooler rating							Sneakers
	Sleeping Pad-YCC will provide if you don't have one							Shower Shoes
	Pillow							Extra boot laces
	Daypack							Small flashlight/Headlamp
	Duffel/Laundry Bag							Water Bottles, 32 oz. or larger-2
	Denim Blue Jeans - 4-5 pairs							Sunglasses
	Casual Clothes - See YCC Dress Code							Mosquito Repellent
	Warm jacket/fleece/sweatshirt/sweater - at least 2							Sunscreen
	Long Underwear, non-cotton preferred- 1 set							Chapstick
	Sleepwear - 2 sets							Moleskin-for blisters
	Underwear-7-10 pairs							Nail Clippers, Razor
	Socks - 7-10 pairs							Shampoo ,Conditioner, Soap
	(Cotton for casual wear, synthetic or wool for work and hiking)							Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
	Liner Socks-2 pairs							Feminine Hygiene Items
	Poncho/Rain jacket							Camera
	Stocking cap							Watch w/alarm
	Hat or Visor							Padlock for footlocker
	Swimsuit							Stationery & Stamps
	Towel and washcloth							Medications
**	All Leather work gloves							Fishing gear (optional)
Notes:  Include a variety of natural and synthetic fabrics when packing.  Cotton breathes best but doesn't insulate when wet.  Synthetic will dry faster and wool will keep you warmer when wet.
* These items can be rented for the summer as an Equipment Package for $20
** Work Gloves can be purchased from YCC for $6 per pair

Good Boots Make A Difference

Thank you to all for returning your Acceptance Forms.  Employment Packets are being sent out this week.  This will include a packing list of everything that you will need for the summer. 

Please note, a pair of sturdy, good-fitting boots will make a difference in your comfort this summer. Take the time to find something that is all or mostly leather with a sturdy sole and hearty tread, steel toe is not required.  You can use one pair for both work days and weekend backpacking or bring one for each.  This is the one item that we stress you invest in.

All other large ticket items can be rented for a small fee from YCC for the summer.  Those items include an overnight backpack (~3000-4000 cubic inches) and a mummy bag (35 degree rating or lower).  

YCC will provide all crew gear including cooking kits, mess kits, tents/tarps, basic sleeping pads and cots.  YCC will also provide all Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) with the exception of work gloves. 



 Pictures of recommended boot styles are below - waterproof and steel-toe are not required

2013 YCC Summer Enrollees have been selected!  

All applicants should receive a letter by mail in the next two weeks stating whether you were or were not selected.  For the 26 of you that were selected, you should have already received an email if one was provided on the application form.  If you were selected, please return the acceptance form and medical form, postmarked by May 1st. 

If you were not selected, please keep in mind that all enrollees are chosen through a random drawing and we encourage you to apply again next year if you fall within the age requirements. 

Sunset from Devil's Dance Floor, YNP