VERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS 2005 Yearbook

Teaching individuals to take personal responsibility for all of their actions. -The VYCC Mission Board of Directors Ron Redmond, Chair Matthew Fargo, Vice Chair Rain Banbury, Secretary Contents Richard McGarry, Treasurer Eric Hanson, Past Chair Judi Manchester, Past Chair Program Overview 4 Caroline Wadhams-Bennett, Past Chair Richard Darby Project Profiles 6 David Goudy Jeffrey Hallo Season Highlights 8 Martha D. McDaniel, M.D. Franklin Motch Field Staff in Focus 10 Lee Powlus Doris Evans, Founder and Board Member Emeritus Alumni Rendezvous 12 Park Crews 15 - 19 Headquarters Staff Wilderness Crews 20 - 22 Thomas Hark, President Jocelyn Haley, Director of Administration and Finance Roving Crews 23 - 31 Polly Tobin, Director of Field Programs Kate Villa, Director of Development Community Crews 32 – 35 Bridgette Remington, Director of Communications and IT Brian Cotterill, Operations Manager Fall Leadership Crews 36 – 37 Lisa Scott, Parks - Americorps Manager Patrick Kell, Program Manager News from HQ 38 Christa Finnern, Program Coordinator John Leddy, Program Coordinator With Special Thanks 42 Heather Nielsen, Program Coordinator Jason Buss, Program Coordinator Alumni Updates 44 Jennifer Hezel, Administrative Coordinator Don Bicknell, Volunteer Extraordinaire Home of the VYCC 46

Yearbook Editor: JP Grogan Copy Editors: Kate Villa, Polly Tobin

 A Message from the Founding President

Dear Alumni and Friends,

2005 marked the 20th anniversary celebration of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps!

We started in 1985 with nothing but passion, a dream of what might be, and a $1 appropriation from the Vermont legislature.

Twenty years later, the VYCC has grown into a mature, statewide non-profit organization with a $1.8 million annual budget, 13 year-round staff, three full-time VISTA Volunteers, 22 year-round AmeriCorps Members, and an annual enrollment of over 250 people. In all, you, our alumni (4,000 strong) have given two million hours of service to Vermont!

I believe that every person who wants to enroll in the VYCC should be able. Unfortunately, only one in four applicants gets that chance. In addition there is a tremendous amount of conservation work that needs to be done. How do we meet these needs? Five years ago our Board of Trustees wrestled with these very issues and came up with a bold, calculated, and dynamic solution.

The answer was the renovation of the historic West Monitor Barn in Richmond. The restored barn is now our permanent headquarters and will serve as a statewide Youth Leadership, Education and Training Center. It has been exciting to watch the barn rise over the past five years, particularly with the help of more than 14 different crews who built the foundation, floors, walls, and more. It is our expectation that the number of youth annually participating will grow to 500 and beyond!

You, the alumni of the VYCC, represent the best of Vermont. Your efforts create and preserve the forests, parks, and landscapes we all treasure. It is your personal leadership through the values you have developed that will guide Vermont for decades.

The story of the VYCC is a classic Vermont tale of hard work, leadership, and vision, and it is by no means finished. You are a part of this story…an important part. It is because of you that this amazing story continues and grows with each passing year. Thank you!

Make no mistake, there is a lot of work ahead of us. Your strong support is absolutely crucial if we are to continue to make a difference. Think about the contribution you would like to make to become an on-going member of the Corps; think about joining the statewide Alumni Board or volunteering at the new headquarters; and certainly plan to attend the second annual Alumni Rendezvous on Columbus Day Weekend 2006!

Please stop by and say hello in the meantime. Cheers!

Thomas Hark President [email protected]  Program Overview

What is the VYCC? The VYCC is a non-profit service, conservation, and education organization. Our mission Crew Types is to teach individuals to take personal responsibility for all of their actions. We accomplish this mission by forming small Roving Crews teams of young people who work with Roving Crews camp for four-week sessions excellent adult leaders to complete high- and live full-time in the outdoors. Corps priority conservation projects. The challenges Members learn new skills such as watershed and experiences each crew must overcome to restoration, trail be successful create an ideal setting to develop construction, leadership, teamwork, and communication and bridge skills. Each year, the Corps hires young people construction, as between the ages of 16 and 24 to manage state well as see many parks, build trails, restore rivers and streams, different areas of and improve community greenspaces. Vermont. Often they will camp

Philosophy for the first two The philosophy of the VYCC is simple and weeks in a state powerful. As VYCC President Thomas park and then Hark tells staff in training: “Our goal is for camp for the the program to ‘ooze’ with education.” The next two weeks conservation projects completed by the VYCC in a backcountry crews are important, and like the original location where Civilian Conservation Corps projects, will last they will learn for decades. However, these projects are also to filter their the vehicles used to accomplish our mission. own water and live without electricity. Roving Crews complete History projects for state and federal agencies, as well as local community sponsors. Since 1985 the VYCC has provided young people from every county, and nearly every town in Vermont, the opportunity to gain Community Crews valuable natural resource training and On a VYCC Community Crew, Corps Members education. The VYCC has completed several live at home and work as a team to improve million dollars worth of priority conservation alternative transportation routes, such as bike work in Vermont through partnerships and pedestrian paths, and to enhance local with agencies and organizations such as the natural areas. They may also learn innovative Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & bio-engineering techniques in order to restore Recreation, Vermont Agency of Transportation, rivers and streams which have been adversely Natural Resources Conservation Service, affected by erosion and pollution. These Vermont Department of Environmental crews are made possible through a variety Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, of partnerships with federal, state, and local Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest project sponsors and offer Corps Members Service, National Park Service, and Vermont’s an opportunity to improve and care for the Green Mountain Club. resources in their local communities.

 Program Overview Park Crews Through a unique partnership with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation (FPR), the Park Crews offer Corps Members the opportunity to work with the public in recreation and park management. The VYCC currently operates five Vermont State Parks. Crews are responsible for all aspects of the parks including managing the camping reservation system, registering park visitors, maintaining and improving the grounds and facilities, and managing concession sales. The Corps Members also develop and lead educational and recreational activities for park visitors such as nature hikes, children’s activities, and Saturday night campfires. Through this process, Fall Leadership Crews Corps Members gain valuable business, For the first time, the VYCC offered members communication, and park management skills the opportunity to extend their leadership as they operate some of Vermont’s largest state experience in Fall 2005. Fall Leadership Crews parks efficiently and professionally. were composed entirely of Crew Leaders and Park Assistants who had successfully completed the summer season. They worked as residential Wilderness Crews crews comprised of five or six members who For those Corps Members who seek an continued the program for four weeks after the exceptionally challenging experience, regular summer season ended. The goal behind Wilderness Crews are available. Wilderness the program is to further leadership abilities, Corps Members live and work in the create more opportunities for technical training, backcountry for four weeks at a time. reflect upon the past season, and to continue the They become self-reliant while learning professional growth of our leaders. the importance of teamwork with other members of the crew. Without running water, electricity, or other amenities, the crew must work together to make the woods a home. Wilderness Crew projects typically include trail maintenance and backcountry construction of bridges and lean-tos.

 Project Profiles Burton Island and Knight Island

In 2005 the VYCC and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation partnered to field multiple crews including Wilderness Crew 2, which spent four weeks working and living on Burton and Knight Islands in Lake Champlain. During this time the crew, led by Mary Zentara and Caleb Butler, completed a number of high-priority projects on the islands.

After moving all of their tools and gear from shore via a shuttle boat, the crew set up camp and got to work. During their two weeks on Burton Island the crew constructed 250 feet of puncheon bridges on the Eagle’s Bay Trail and one 12 foot bridge on the West Shore Trail to protect resources and enhance the hiker’s experience. The crew also helped improve facilities on the island by building three composting outhouses at paddler’s campsites around the island. After the crew moved to Knight Island they built 210 feet of boardwalk, including two 75 foot-long sections to keep the trail out of a wet area near a beaver pond.

“It is so awesome to be outdoors and live with the same people for four weeks. It’s a really incredible thing we created. The beaver dam bridge was our best project by far. I really liked carrying lumber, digging for sills, and nailing - all that hard physical work!” said Corps Member Jessica Huyghebaert.

The VYCC would like to thank the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, as well as everyone at Burton Island and Knight Island for all of their support.

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the VYCC once again fielded a crew at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) during 2005. This is the seventh consecutive season a VYCC crew has completed water quality and trail maintenance work within the refuge in Swanton, VT. Roving Crew 11 spent the entirety of their four-week session working on projects including the creation of a 200-foot boardwalk and the construction 2,500 feet of new trail.

Crew Leaders Krista Snyder of Boulder, Colorado and Matthew Brantner of LaCrosse, Wisconsin brought their previous experiences in trail maintenance and carpentry to the  Project Profiles project. They led their crew of eight Corps Members to complete diverse projects which will provide the visiting public, school groups, and other wildlife enthusiasts with more opportunities to enjoy the lands surrounding the new refuge’s headquarters building, and protect the habitat.

In addition to the benefits gained from living and operating as a tight-knit community, the crew also came away from their experience with a new sense of accomplishment in all they achieved at the worksite. Corps Member Jordan Kidder remarked, “When I finished something, I didn’t just finish it, I finished it with pride. I felt proud because I knew that I had put 110% into its creation”. The VYCC looks forward to continuing this partnership with MNWR and LCBP during the 2006 program season. South Burlington Rain Gardens The Burlington Community Crew and the Morrisville Community Crew completed two distinct Rain Garden projects in 2005. The project in South Burlington was funded by a Clean Water Act Section 319 grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). A rain garden is an attractive home garden with the purpose of reducing the amount of stormwater entering our streams and lakes. The garden is bowl shaped to collect and absorb rain and contaminants that would otherwise run off and impact the local water quality. The goal of creating rain gardens is to improve stormwater management, reduce pollution runoff from single-family houses, and promote bio-retention methods as a cost- effective means to reduce pollution from single-family homes.

The South Burlington Rain Gardens project was a partnership between VYCC, South Burlington’s Department of Planning and Zoning, and DEC. Technical support was also provided by the staff of the Winooski Conservation District and the University of Vermont. The construction of four 400-square foot rain gardens demonstrated how this non-point source control method can supplement traditional structural treatment practices to reduce hydrologic impacts and sediment and nutrient washoff from a typical single- family home development in the Champlain Valley. The VYCC crew gave a well-researched presentation to the public explaining how residents can build their own rain garden near the end of the project.

The Morrisville Community Crew also built a rain garden to control runoff that flows into Wilkins Ravine. At the end of the session, Annie Williams, a Corps Member on the Morrisville Crew said, “I learned about myself as a leader and about respecting the environment.” The Community Crew participants and the VYCC appreciate the support of all of the partners who contributed to the success of these projects.  Season Highlights Dear Crews of 2005,

Do you remember way back this summer when we stood in the huge circle at Stowe Mountain Resort and you first met your crew and got a glimpse of dozens of others just getting started with the VYCC? Do you remember me talking about how you were about to start a really fun yet intense experience?

Would you have believed me if I had told you that between you - 210 Corps Members, 18 CMiTs, 24 Assistant Leaders, 24 Crew Leaders, and eight Park Leaders - you would together build 2,280 feet of bridges, establish 32,745 feet of new trail, present visitor programs to 3,041 people, mow thousands of acres of grass, and generally make a personal contribution to the conservation of the trails, watersheds, parks, and greenways of Vermont? Indeed, you did just that and much more. I could not be any more proud of the fine work completed, the communities built, and the lives affected.

I get out and visit you all in the field as much as I can. In 2005, there are some visits that stand out in my mind as being exemplary of what makes VYCC such an incredible experience from every vantage point: Scaling Moss Glen Falls with Roving 6, hosting Roving 9 at my home for their Conservation Leadership Project, learning the details of building rain gardens from the Burlington Community Crew, helping Silver Lake respond to a flash flood in the park, learning about the archaeological work of Roving 1, having a group barbecue with Roving 2, 6, and Elmore State Park crews, talking with Roving 11 about corps jobs across the country, learning of creative community time at North Hero State Park, hearing of the organic garden at Emerald Lake State Park, reading about Roving 3 in many newspapers, hiking Roving 4’s rock steps to the base of Sterling Gorge, clapping for Roving 7 in the Richmond July 4th Parade, boating out to see Wilderness 2 on Knight Island, and sharing meals with many and laughs with all!

The VYCC has 20 years of Corps Members and Leaders that have participated in the program and helped guide it to where it is today! Without the leaders and crews, we would not be who we are today. For all of the hard work each of you put into your season with VYCC, I truly thank you! And please, don’t be a stranger!

Polly Tobin Director of Field Programs [email protected]

 Season Highlights

2005 VYCC Program and Field Staff

Disaster Relief Crew

This year the VYCC’s first-ever Disaster Relief Crew headed south to assist with disaster relief and recovery efforts following the hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast region in late fall. The young people comprising the Relief Crew were well-prepared after a full season serving as VYCC Crew Leaders and Assistants, as well as training in American Red Cross Disaster Response, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid. The program not only provided the Gulf region with a skilled group of volunteers, it also allowed these individuals to serve and contribute to their nation on a whole new level. Left to Right: Josh Koniecko, Scott Renker, Lucy Parker, Mark Turnbull. Not Pictured: Willie Bittner, Patrick MacFetters, Lisa Scott.

 Field Staff in Focus Each year, the VYCC canvasses the world to recruit highly qualified leaders for the many crews we put on the ground each season. This intense process includes advertising on websites that are visited by thousands of people interested in the environmental field, print advertising in appropriate publications, and meeting potential applicants at outreach events throughout Vermont. Each year, the Field Staff come from near and far to engage in a rigorous two-week training process before they head out to trails and parks around the state of Vermont to lead crews of young people. Some of these folks are highlighted below, but all VYCC Leaders are outstanding in many ways!

Katie McKay, Utah rewarded with FPR Regional Staff selecting Park Ranger Elmore as “Most Improved Grounds” for 2005. Thanks for a great season Katie! Katie took Elmore State Park by storm Todd McKinney, New Hampshire this season as the Roving Crew Leader Park Ranger! She came fresh from Todd joined her position as a the VYCC as a Ranger Assistant Wilderness Crew and Off-Highway Leader in 2005 Vehicle Specialist at and worked for Hyrum State Park two sessions on in her native Utah, the Appalachian/ and was armed Long Trail in with a degree in Parks and Recreation from Killington, Vermont. Utah State University. This knowledge and Todd brought experience combined with Katie’s friendly and a background approachable attitude built quick connections in Outdoor with her crew, park guests, and State Park staff! Education to the VYCC from his experience as Her management skills and dedication to quality an Adventure Specialist and School Program work were passed on to her crew and they were Instructor at the Sargent Center for Outdoor

“Working with a “I learned a lot about VYCC crew this myself during this summer only helped whole experience; to reaffirm my I watched my belief in the youth leadership skills of our state. Seeing progress to a new these young people level and matured so committed to in a personal way. personal growth I learned how to and active deal with awkward stewardship of situations and how to the environment survive in the woods and community is for a prolonged inspirational.” period without the usual amenities.”

-Keegan Tierney, Vermont -Natalie Chester, Australia Crew Manager, Elmore State Park Roving Crew Leader

10 she worked with. Katherine is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Semester in Baja, Mexico, and had also spent time studying psychology in London, England. As a member Field Staff in Focus of the Fall Leadership Crew 1, Katherine finished her season installing drainage structures on the Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. Canty Trail in Killington and building several Originally from Indiana, Todd has acted as lean-tos behind the new VYCC Training Center a leader for outdoor activities such as rock in Richmond. climbing, hiking, and canoeing with Boston University Adventure Camp and Fort Wilderness Kyle Mason, Vermont Adventure Camp. Always interested in Branbury State Park Manager exploring new ideas, Todd used his tremendous community-building skills and positive attitude Kyle made 2005 his in planning creative “out of the box”activities for sixth year working his crew. for the VYCC! A native Vermonter, Katherine Buell, Massachusetts Kyle got involved Roving Crew Leader with VYCC while in high school, working Katherine returned as a Corps Member to the VYCC for for two summers. her second year He then moved up as a Roving Crew in leadership and Leader in 2005. This responsibility and season Katherine was a Senior Corps Member for two seasons. used her outstanding While working at Branbury in 2001, Kyle and leadership and his crew earned the much-coveted “Park of the technical expertise Year” award. In 2004 Kyle became an Assistant in leading the Manager at Branbury and carried on his Roving Parks Crew, reputation for enthusiastic work, laughter, and a partnership with excellent customer service. This past year Kyle the U.S. Forest Service in the Moosalamoo region managed Branbury and continued to pass on his of the Green Mountain National Forest. Her passion for working with people and his love knack for communication, eye for detail, and of the park to his crew and Branbury’s visitors. consistent motivating energy inspired all those Thanks Kyle, for six amazing seasons!

“I was constantly “This past summer reminded how the has been the most energy in a group memorable of my can be sparked life. When I first and ignited by came to the VYCC one person, how I was very nervous good vibes can be about being a Crew contagious, and how Leader. Being a warm smile can involved in this take you out of a program has taught funk.” me to respect others as I wish to be respected.”

-Jaime Miller, New Hampshire -James Cote, Minnesota Park Assistant, Emerald Lake State Park Roving Crew Leader

11 Alumni Rendezvous Remember the good old days? For some of you it may have been twenty years ago, working as a Crew Leader and for others it may have been working as a Corps Member during this past summer. Regardless of how long it has been, as many alumni have said, the VYCC is an experience that lasts a lifetime.

In order to capture that sense of nostalgia and give VYCC Alumni an opportunity to connect, the VYCC hosted the first annual Alumni Rendezvous on Columbus Day Weekend this the task of fitting the logs together to build the fall. The Rendezvous included the construction lean-tos. of six log lean-tos in the woods behind the West Monitor Barn, which is the new home of the For the remainder of Saturday afternoon and VYCC in Richmond, VT, a Saturday evening into the evening, crews continued building the barn dance, an alumni meeting, fantastic meals, lean-tos, feasted on a hearty dinner, and enjoyed catching up with old friends, and a lot of fun! a barn dance with music performed by Wiley Dobbs, a four-piece bluegrass outfit, based in The event kicked off at 7 a.m. on Saturday Albany, NY. One band member, Jim McCuen, is October 8th with a hearty breakfast for all, and himself a VYCC alum, having held the position then for those stalwart alumni and friends of of Park Manager, along with his wife Linda the VYCC who wished to brave the elements, Callnan, at Emerald Lake State Park in summer there was a morning of carrying lumber through 2000. Other alumni broke quite a sweat and danced the evening away to some swinging bluegrass tunes. Folks then headed home or to nearby Little River State Park for some dry clothes, a hot shower, and a good night’s sleep.

The service project continued on Sunday morning, and for the rest of the weekend lumber was hauled, drills spun, saws buzzed, warming fires crackled, laughter was heard, amazing meals were provided, and the lean-tos were built despite the the woods to the lean-to sites. After a warming rain and chilly weather. Overall, six log lean-tos lunch, catered by The Kitchen Table Bistro, reached a stage of almost completion during the a Richmond based restaurant and catering weekend, with finishing touches completed later company, participants continued with lumber- in the fall. hauling, while lead carpenters at each site began

12 Alumni Rendezvous The Alumni Rendezvous also played host to the Vermont Chapter of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) Annual Meeting, with CCC alumni and family members coming from all over Vermont and New England to attend. Along with their annual meeting, they toured the newly restored West Monitor Barn and joined VYCC Alumni for lunch and the Alumni Meeting on Sunday.

Overall, 84 Alumni attended the event, from Jeff Harvey, a Crew Leader back in 1986 and 1987, to Elizabeth Demarais, a Corps Member on Roving 7 and 13 in 2005.

Mark your calendar for years to come, as the event will now become an annual affair, held on Columbus Day Weekend every year. Plans are already being hatched for next year. We hope to have over 250 alumni attend the Alumni Rendezvous in 2006, complete a service project, dance in the barn, and continue building the VYCC Alumni Community. “I learned how to stay positive when times Thanks to everyone who played a role in this get tough and how believing in yourself year’s events. Alumni are the future of the VYCC makes you smarter and stronger.” and West Monitor Barn is the new home of the VYCC. Your investment in that is very much -Maureen McClintock appreciated. Corps Member, 2005

See you again next year!

13 State Park Crews 2005

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps is a proud partner with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. Branbury State Park Elmore State Park

Back Row: (Left to Right) Kyle Mason (Crew Manager), Patrick Back Row: (Left to Right) Charity Skinner, Katherine McKay MacFetters (Park Assistant). Front Row: (Left to Right) Dary (Park Ranger), Leonel Velez (Park Assistant), Allen Janelle, Patten, Nicholas Lapan-Farina, Lucy Parker (Park Assistant), Daniel Wooding (Park Assistant), Joe Walker-Brazie. Front Emily Goodman, Sara Hanson, Monica Aird (Park Assistant), Row: (Left to Right) Keegan Tierney (Crew Manager), Emily Rachel Robles. Missing, CMiT: Valen Delgado. Woodall (Park Assistant), Carolyn Loeb, Rilke Greenmun (Park Assistant), Susan Cummings (Park Assistant). Not Pictured: (all CMiTs) Scott Adams, Kaleb Santamore, Maya Gailmor, At Branbury State Park the grounds looked good Benjamin Watson, Allan Stearns, Nate Jobe, Paige Clark, Skylar and so did we. The bathrooms shined, the lawns Grimes, and MJ Robbins. were mowed, the wood was stacked, and the Branbury Bear was on rounds. “You can hear the grass grow,” Ron Sartwell (FPR Maintenance Technician) stated at the We worked hard this summer, and kept the park beginning of the summer. Who would have looking good. We taught some young campers known he was right? From the beginning we a lot about nature, and even had time to shoot had to work as a team to keep up with raking, some hoops with them. mowing, and trimming at Elmore State Park.

We planted gardens, built bunk beds, cruised The season was a success from grounds to around the park, directed traffic, performed some concessions to bathrooms and campfires. great campfires, played a three-headed monster, Leo and Allen driving around on the golf ate lots of interesting things, guided hikes, and cart announcing campfires brought much of even got to do WoRD in the Expos dug out. everyone’s enthusiasm to the public. Skits and songs from “Titanic” starring Rilke and It was a summer full of new experiences, Charity, “Gray Squirrel” starring Emily, unforgettable moments, and plenty of laughs that “Flower” starring Carolyn, “Doctor” starring we will never forget. Leo, “Light House” starring Dan, “Boom- Chicka-Boom” starring Katie, “T.V.” starring We will always remember Sarah’s guided tours Allen and Keegan, and best of all the whole and Kyle’s juggling skills. How could we forget Elmore Crew starring in “Little Goonie Bird”. Kyle’s many clever sayings, the Branbury Leaf Fest 2005, our trip to Burlington, the Branbury Not only did we have actors working at the Bear, going to the fair, riding with Patrick, going park, but there was a hard-working crew with bowling, the many WoRD sessions, playing card a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Over the games, and all of the times we shared at the season they built lasting friendships. Thanks park? to everyone for making Elmore State Park’s 2005 season an amazing success. “It is the greatest summer job ever.” P.S. We challenge any park to a dance off -Krysta Viens anytime, anywhere!!! Corps Member, 2005 15 Emerald Lake State Park North Hero State Park

Back Row: (Left to Right) Max Allen (FPR Park Ranger), Back Row: (Left to Right) Kris Bowen, Marc Dunn Kathryn Au, Bryan Nakayama, Kaia DeMatteo (Crew Front Row: (Left to Right) Krista Landrigan (Park Assistant), Manager), Krysta Viens, Joshua Koniecko (Park Assistant), Katie McElroy, Heather Walker-Brazie (Park Assistant), Bailey Rachael Peabody. Front Row: (Left to Right) Jaime Miller (Park Lauricella, Andrew Jackman (Park Assistant), Tym McGuire Assistant), Jason Berard (Park Assistant), Mark Turnbull (Park (Park Manager). Assistant), Derek Zember (Park Assistant), Zachary Lapan- Farina, Kailey Snow. Not Pictured: Tenesha Ducharme. We had a super summer at beautiful North When we arrived at Emerald Lake we were Hero State Park. In order that we may share nervous and quiet, not knowing exactly what to just how super it was, we have compiled a list of expect. We have come a long way since that first superlatives from the summer. We entertained silent meal we shared. a lot of campers and have a few highlights to recognize. We worked and played hard all summer long. We are proud of the projects we’ve completed, Our skit of the year involved a myriad of and we will miss the fun times we shared costumes, set designing, and of course, a camper together. sing-along. The Photosynthesis Skit was a joyous exercise in plant food production coupled with Here is just a glimpse of our summer: Calling hard-hitting social commentary on the life of Josh Mr. Clean, playing volleyball on Sunday today’s farmers. night, Zack’s naps, playing Ultimate Pin the Tail on the Donkey, driving to Manchester in Big Our campfire of the year was a zesty Bertha, singing the Oompa Loompa song, joking performance in the rain for eight boy scouts who about Welcome Allen (the park Ghost), living were determined to participate in all programs in the gray house together, painting, pulling no matter what the conditions were like. tons of honeysuckle, talking about the Subaru conspiracy in Vermont, swimming in the lake, Not all activities were for the entertainment having water fights, dancing in the rain, listening of our “luscious” and sometimes “fragrant” to Jay’s music, eating from Derek’s organic campers. Not to seem “unscrupulous,” but we garden, Kathryn making cookies, Max playing were sometimes too “frazzled” for our typically pranks on Jay, eating tons of Ben & Jerry’s, “charming” customer service. Our favorite late making extravagant shopping lists, Zack and night game was the “zany” Apples to Apples. Mark getting stung by bees, jumping rope with Some played the game with “extreme” accuracy, a root, A Day in the Life of a Corps Member, but could be perceived as “nerdy.” Some tried Mark dressing up as Abe Lincoln, Rachael’s to be “creative” but were often “misunderstood.” artistic drawings, Tenesha’s crazy stories. Others tried to play it “cool” but came off as being “arrogant.” No matter what “profound” And becoming a goofy group of friends. or “odd” tactic we tried, all came away feeling “touchy-feely.”

16 Silver Lake State Park CMiT Program In 2005 VYCC hired 14 youth in the Corps Members in Training (CMiT) program for the season.

The purpose of the CMiT program is to create a rich learning experience for 14-16 year-olds by developing teams of youth who work in state parks. The CMiT program provides a valuable educational and training opportunity for the participants.

CMITs, under the supervision of VYCC Park Leaders, complete general maintenance such as raking campsites, cleaning bathrooms, and Back Row: (Left to Right) Heather Bowman (FPR Ranger), sorting recyclables, and also work on special Alicia Kern (Park Assistant), Sara Mulford (Park Assistant), park improvement projects. This season park David Alexander (Park Assistant), J.P. Grogan (Crew Leader). improvement projects included planting Front Row: (Left to Right) Adam Risi, Erik Wooding, Sarah shrubs, painting, and landscaping. Haselton, Betsy Trucott, Justin Adams. In addition to completing park work the CMiTs We organized ourselves into a team quickly, participated in the WoRD program, which which helped us to succeed at all the tasks that stands for Writing, Reading, and Discussion. we attempted. CMiTs also took part in team-building and educational activities led by a VYCC Park These include but are not limited to; extensively Leader or Park Assistant. painted buildings, floors scrubbed to near- perfection, awesome visitor programs, battles A total of four CMiT crews were hired this with migratory water fowl, loving the vegetable season. Three crews were located at Elmore garden, eradicating the purple loosestrife, State Park, including the first-ever fall CMiT retrieving runaway boats, and discovering that crew and one crew was based at Branbury State there are lights in the beach house. Park.

We’ll never forget Sarah’s speaking habits and The first of the three crews at Elmore State vague references to blue collar comedy. Then Park was a continuation of VYCC and Peoples there’s always the great game of “Where is Sarah Academy’s six-year partnership. The other from?” as part of our memorable campfires. Of two CMiT crews at Elmore State Park were a course, that was when we weren’t blinded by result of a new partnership between VYCC and Adam’s ‘fairy dust’, or paying homage to the Lamoille Union High School in Hyde Park. One king. And how many more times will we sing the of the crews was a new three-week fall crew banana song? that took place after school from 3 to 5 p.m. four days a week. A special thanks goes to Sara, who could always put a smile on our faces. To Alicia, we The CMiTs were a great asset to the crews in all admired your undying effort. David, we the field at Branbury and Elmore State Parks. appreciated your subtle humor and enthusiasm They completed many important projects and for visitor programs and campfires. And finally, helped to insure a high level of operation at the to J.P., for spicing our lives with your stories and parks. The CMiT’s hard work was appreciated Arkansas supplements. We also appreciated this season. Heather Bowman, Angela Magnon, Natalie Chester, Heather Nielsen, and Lisa Scott for The CMiT program is run in partnership with giving an extra hand when we needed it most. the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL).

17 Parks AmeriCorps Program

The 2005 field season marked the launch of a season, ensuring that new partnership with the AmeriCorps Program, our parks were better manifesting itself in the roles of Assistants in our prepared and ready Park Program. These Park Assistants served for the Memorial Day approximately five months in the state parks opening. Another benefit that VYCC operates in partnership with FPR, was improved coverage and in late October, returned to their home throughout the fall, communities to complete their length of service ensuring that a greater with a local non-profit organization dedicated to number of maintenance and improvement creating safer projects were completed. communities. The length of Assistants were able to dive into their focus areas service that and produce an impressive number of completed each of the goals, from increased number and quality of Assistants is visitor programs, to improved revenue in park completing is stores, to the completion of a variety of special 1,700 hours, maintenance and crew development projects. during which time they Assistants participated in disaster relief and receive a emergency management training in October in stipend, as preparation for the service hours they would be well as a full completing at non-profit organizations dedicated education to creating safer communities (i.e. volunteering award of at a local Red Cross, teaching CPR and First Aid $4,725 upon classes, volunteering with an emergency outreach the completion organization, or responding to national disaster). of service. We look forward to continuing to build on the Park Assistants were able to develop leadership successes of the first year of this program. and specialized emergency response and disaster relief skills while assisting Park Crew Leaders in leading a crew of high school and college-age crew members in managing a Vermont State Park. Assistants also helped train the crew in work and educational activities and assisted Leaders in fostering the personal development of crew members. They assisted with all park management duties while focusing in one of the following park operational areas: concessions, visitor programming, grounds/ maintenance, or crew supervision.

One of the immediately recognizable benefits of this new program was that we were able to hire a greater number of highly-qualified people who were able to begin service earlier in the

18 19 Wilderness Crews 2005 Wilderness 1 Wilderness 2

Back Row: (Left to Right) Brandon Brackett, Abigail Back Row: (Left to Right) Caleb Butler (Crew Leader), Grote, Kezia Procita (Crew Leader), Todd McKinney Anthony Bessette, Hannah Vigneron, Marnie Fortman, (Crew Leader). Middle Row: (Left to Right) Caitlin Jeff Helms, Matt Proof. Front Row: (Left to Right) Clay, Sam Maron, Jaclyn Dagger, Joel Jukosky. Front Althea Neri, Jessica Huyghebaert, Jessica Palin, Mary Row: (Left to Right) Leigh Avery, Kelsie Sinnock. Zentara (Crew Leader).

First and foremost, you should all know that Starting with a crazy fire line, our wilderness we went through five latrines. Yes, five. crew carried our supplies onto the Island Runner However, we also completed some amazing Ferry and departed for Burton Island. projects. Our camp was set up with record speed and In four weeks, we re-routed 0.3 miles of the creativity. Afterward we settled in with our first Appalachian Trail away from a road and into of many pasta dinners. The two weeks at Burton the woods. We benched over 100 feet of trail, Island went by quickly while we transported created 21 rock steps, set 12 stepping stones, heavy lumber far distances. We managed to and made 11 drainage dips. We also built get lost occasionally and very sweaty always. many check steps, cross drains, and retaining Fortunately, our spike site was right on Lake walls. We used our rock bars and a grip hoist Champlain and we enjoyed the water almost to move rocks what seemed like halfway across every day. We completed a 12-foot bridge and the state. It seemed that our trail was located moved on to 250 feet of boardwalk. On our in one region of Vermont that seemed to lack second Thursday, with little time to think, we suitable rocks! crammed our lunch down and broke camp within an hour to move to Knight Island. Despite the swarms of mosquitoes and horseflies draining our veins, we had a lot On Knight Island, we met Jimmy Putnam and of fun living and working in the wilderness Heidi (aka Mrs. Knight Island). There we built a near lovely Thundering Falls. We spent many very large bridge. Three feet tall and standing on pleasant afternoons swimming by the falls and a firm rock foundation, our bridge went around reading Harry Potter aloud as a crew. We also a corner and had a nice little dip. In addition to attended a fabulous Fourth of July celebration our bridge, we built 40 feet of boardwalk and a in the town of Killington. The celebration walkway over beaver construction. included a fireworks display, swimming, and an evening barbeque. On our fourth Friday we packed camp and boarded the landing craft one more time. Thanks to Leigh, half of our crew is leaving the Residing at Killkare for the last night, we slept woods with dread locks! Overall our crew had under a roof for the first time in forever and many changes, learning experiences, and tons enjoyed our last day in awesome sunshine. Yo! of fun completing our projects together. Special Wild 2!!

21 Wilderness 3 Wilderness 4

Back Row: (Left to Right) Elizabeth Stafford, Harry Back Row: (Left to Right) Mary Zentara (Crew Leader), Dunn-Davenport, Matthew O’Malley, Chris Babcock. Louis Riquelme, Krissy Thompson, Alex Commons, Front Row: (Left to Right) Ashley Bruscoe, Amanda Emma Frappier, Sarah Billian, Caleb Bolton, Marielle Zarella, Hillary Boone, Kezia Procita (Crew Leader), Charron. Front Row: (Left to Right) Caleb Butler (Crew Todd McKinney (Crew Leader). Not Pictured: Liam Leader), Jeff Hyde. Fitzsimmons. Wild 4 arrived in West Townshend in the midst What do you get when you put 10 people in of a rain storm. But you’ll have that. Wild 4 was the back of a cross-country ski resort with quick to set up an awesome spike site. But you’ll 100 pounds of peanut butter? You get one have that. Wild 4 dug latrines that later became suspiciously short legged goat and one very homes for a variety of small woodland creatures. small horse with out-dated hair. Wild 3! But you’ll have that. Wild 4 swizzled poison ivy on the West River Trail. But you’ll have that. Despite a hailstorm and broken items like the water filtration system, propane tank, tent, and Wild 4 went through Log Cabin by the jugs. pick-up truck, we had a fantastic session! But you’ll have that. Wild 4 befriended some woodland creatures, including Marlo the red The summer was filled with laughter and hard squirrel. But you’ll have that. Wild 4 learned work. Saturdays were spent doing bucket more about themselves and others. But you’ll laundry for the girls, digging new latrines, and have that. Wild 4 busted out 12, 12’x6’ floating washing off and lounging at Kent Pond. boardwalks. But you’ll have that. Our 1.5 mile walk to work took us on a dirt road past Kent Pond, which was peopled by Wild 4 learned that sharing is not caring when friendly fishermen. Always at work on time, it comes to spew-inducing sickness. But you’ll we blazed 100 new feet of the Appalachian have that. Wild 4 cleared tremendous amounts Trail. We built one epic staircase after another of trail. But you’ll have that. Wild 4 displayed with rocks weighing nearly a ton. Our their supple muscular weaponry during frequent flexibility was tested with countless changes of gun shows. But you’ll have that. Wild 4 met plan. We had rock ledge, glacial boulder piles, some interesting characters. But you’ll have that. and mud pits galore. Wild 4 experienced sugar binges more often than not. But you’ll have that. Wild 4 made some Our success was undeniable, both in the amazing chocolate pancakes. But you’ll have workplace and in our friendships. that. Wild 4 benched like mad. But you’ll have that. Our compensation is more than money; it is long-lasting memories and our own piece of Wild 4 had a fabulously fun time. But you’ll the Appalachian Trail to show family and have that… friends far into the future.

22 Roving Crews 2005 Roving 1 Roving 2

Left to Right: Meghan Lewia, Liz Schraffenberger Left to Right: Michael Faulkner, Adam Keeling (Crew (Assistant Crew Leader), Sasha Senger, Brent Kievit- Leader), James Coultas, Jacob Houston, Mariel Cykon, Kylar, Kevin Hamman (Crew Leader), Leif Amber. Katherine Buell (Crew Leader), Connor Langley, Meagon Burnham. Once upon a time there was a little roving crew that could. They were the crew that went the Roving 2 spent three weeks of their session at distance—literally maintaining a trail region of Little River State Park and one week at Weissner 500 square miles. Woods in Stowe.

One bright and sunny day the little roving crew The crew openly accepted new members and that could chugged up the Oakridge Trail to guests. They ate lots of cheese; moved stones see what they could see. “We think we can, we for a staircase with rock bars; ate ice cream, think we can.” At the end of the day the little pizza, and gado gado; watched fireflies; fought roving crew looked back at the work they had off no-see-ums; ran from bears (almost); accomplished. With 40 new drainage dips and 90 listened to instructions from their sock monkey feet of bench-cutting the roving crew celebrated. Crew Leader; enjoyed Adam’s guitar skills; “We knew we could, we knew we could. And got Mohawks; placed gargoyles; re-veged; now for some cutting of woodly wood! Those did the plank and push-ups everyday; hauled trees! Those trees! Those truffula trees! They 6x6’s; made crush; dug holes; took on animal chopped them all down with loppingness ease personalities (they had an iguana, gazelle, bear, and rescued stone foundations from the jungle llama, frogs, cats, and a badger); quoted movies; turf, such as these.” laughed; made smores; sweat; and danced. All in all it was a crazy game of poker….mmmkay? And now Roving 1 has a story to tell about Rustylocks the chipmunk, and how he fell. Oh yeah, we also spent a little time making an 8 Rustylocks tried the oatmeal, but it was too dry. step stone staircase with 37 feet of cribbing and Then Rustylocks tried the sump bucket, but it check-step platforms, and 64 feet of retaining was too wet. Then he drowned. The end. Now wall for an 8’x9’ and an 8’x25’ foot bridge. the roving crew has a song for you about a job they do. Mow, Mow, Mow the lawn. Mow it all day long. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, until “You’ll meet the kinds of people you’ve the long grass is gone. never met before and be exposed to things So good-bye mosquitoes and good-bye burritos. you would never have expected…” Good-bye practical jokes, good-bye morning -Carolyn Loeb quotes. Good-bye favorite tools, good-bye to the Corps Member, 2005 rules. Good-bye leaders. Good-bye, good-bye to archaeologist, Uncle Dave. 24 Roving 3 Roving 4

Back Row: (Left to Right) Matthew Brantner (Crew Left to Right: Ivo Lippold, Amber Faulkner, Mary Leader), Annie McGinn, Nick Capobianco, Rod Letourneau (Crew Leader), Brett Kreiner, Stephanie Morrison, Krista Snyder (Crew Leader). Front Row: Roberts. (Left to Right) Sia Vissering, Kristen Vaughan, Scott Couillard. After the awkward silence of a three hour drive with five strangers, we set up our spike site at Roving 4 spent two weeks near Athens, where the Smokey House Center in Danby, Vermont. we cut a new trail for the Windmill Hill On our first full day we made our site nice and Pinnacle Association. We began each day early homey. and made the 45-minute uphill hike to work. We became masters of benching and completed On the first day of work we headed to Pawlet to a staircase and numerous retaining walls. learn the tricks of the cemetery fixin’ business. We had a great teacher, Arthur Hyde, who One afternoon, a lightning storm moved in too made an everlasting impression on us with fast for us to get to a shelter. We waited it out his clever quotes, strong work ethic, and great in the lightning-safe position. A full half hour smile. The crew learned the skills quickly and of testing the true strength of your leg muscles! fixed an amazing number of stones in the towns of Pawlet, Danby, Middleton Springs, and For our second two weeks, we worked at Tinmouth. During our work days, we repaired Sterling Gorge. It was a well-deserved treat leaning, fallen, and broken stones. to only have a three minute walk to work! And the gorge is beautiful! We continued Many people offered a helping hand by our precedent of getting up at 5:00 a.m. so we recording the stones we repaired and supplying could get to work early and still have time for us with plenty of dirt. We even received help on some afternoon swimming in the pond. We the rainiest day from Gail Faller, a state legislator completed numerous retaining structures, a from Tinmouth. turnpike, and a huge rock staircase.

After three weeks we left our beloved home at We had numerous memorable moments: We Smokey House and moved to Half Moon Pond endured a stomach bug that affected half the State Park. Our final week was spent working in crew. Several meals were eaten in the dark. West Haven. With the days winding down, we We had amazing breakfasts and more jokes realized, as a crew, how close we had grown to and laughs than we could ever count. each other. Thanks to all those who were part of our Rarely is it possible to get to know a group of journey: Dolly, Roger, Randy, and all the crew people in a month…but that is not the case when members we had. It was a grand time! you rarely ever see anyone outside of your crew.

25 Roving 5 Roving 6

Back Row: (Left to Right) Logan Hutchins, Nathan Back Row: (Left to Right) LaTasha Stavseth, Erin Gagnon, Travis Larkin, Jordan Berger, James Cote McCreary, Marie Robertson, Andrew Hathaway (Crew (Crew Leader). Front Row: (Left to Right) Melissa Leader), Brianna Farver (Crew Leader). Front Row: Burnham, Christine Severson (Crew Leader), Gena (Left to Right) Parker Tobin, Christopher Murray. Israel.

Roving Crew 5 began its adventures at The prayer flags flapped in the wind as eight Townshend State Park. It was there that we new Corps Members converged and headed to bonded with our fellow crew members and Ascutney State Park. started growing as a team. The crew met its first challenges with tofu and Okemo Mountain was our next destination. poorly labeled trails. But we pulled through, There we had fun doing our first major inspired by our new love for early mornings, re-route. Camping at Plymouth was an rock bars, and late night entertainment provided experience all its own. There were nice lean- by our own dancing crew members. Our stay, tos and a beautiful sandy beach. We learned however, was short. that keeping the team working hard turned out to be less difficult than we thought. With our Soon we moved to the beautiful woods of Elmore team working together as one, we blazed over Mountain. The mountain quickly became our a mile of trail at High Pond. home – complete with hand-dug latrines, a glowing fire pit, and our own mountain stream. Bugs, Bugs, Bugs. While we were staying at After every hard day of work on the mountain, our spike site we realized that the mosquitoes we refreshed ourselves in the cleansing waters of were more than we could handle. We had to Lake Elmore. We became one with the woods; wear our head nets at all times. We tested our sharing our tents with mice, our gorp with the limits and ultimately survived. After leaving chipmunks, and our bananas with the raccoons. our spike site we headed to Ascutney. It was there that we realized what we had been On the occasions that we returned to the missing in this new bug-free environment. human world, we enjoyed some amazing 4th of July fireworks, re-supply adventures at the We will remember fondly all the good times supermarket, and much needed time at the over this past month such as; Mike and Leo at laundromat. Townshend, playing Frisbee near our tents at Plymouth, Jordan falling in the mud at Okemo, At work our muscles grew as we put in roasting pudgie pies over a roaring fire, and mammoth crib walls, water bars, and many, the constant buzz of mosquitoes. All in all the many stairs. We were always gettin’ r done. As month was eventful and a great experience for the days grew shorter, we were no longer just a all involved. crew but a family.

26 Roving 7 Roving 8

Left to Right: Evan Tallmadge, Ethan Shaw, Natalie Back Row: (Left to Right) Sam Maron, Metzi Chester (Crew Leader), Britni Morgan, Corey Wilcox, Anderson, John Farnsworth. Front Row: (Left to Right) Kye Lippold, Chantelle Fisher-McKone, Laura Budd, Katherine Buell (Crew Leader), Liz Schraffenberger Elizabeth Demarais, Scott Renker (Crew Leader). (Assistant Crew Leader).

It was a month full of giggles and late night The crew down at “the Moose” started off by shenanigans. Our first stop was in the little city moving and painting picnic tables. We also ate a of St. Albans. We stayed at Killkare State Park lot of blueberries. Think of as many blueberries for the first two weeks of our excursion together. as you possibly can, and multiply it by infinity. We listened to loud music on our way to our That is how many blueberries we picked and ate. worksite, Hardack Trails. During our work days we moved giant rocks to form immobile Between meals of burritos, stir fry, and blueberry rock water bars. We played in the mud, hacked triple chocolate pancakes, we experienced long softball-sized roots, and worked hard to place days. Our longest involved an eight-mile round rocks that could surpass the “Scotty Challenge.” trip hike while clearing 53 drainages and cutting 26 feet of side hill trail. By the way, there are Although we were completely drained of energy only five of us. after work, we still managed to play soccer or our very own version of capture the flag. There was never a dull moment with Roving 8; gravel moving, riding riding mowers, making After two weeks of flush toilets and sinks, we the Green Mountain National Forest more moved to our spike camp at Preston Pond in compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Bolton. Our first day consisted of digging large Act, and creating rock water bars and drainages ditches for latrines, setting our tents on a hill of to name a few. We were also in charge of host ferns, and setting up our kitchen with many tarps duties at Moosalamoo Campground. We cleaned high in the trees. We ended the day with hot and raked campsites, and mingled with our dogs cooked over a propane stove late that night. visitors. Our weekends involved hiking the Our main tasks at Preston Pond were installing Long Trail, observing penguins in their natural culverts, clearing the trails, digging drainage habitat, and oohing and aahing at the Northern ditches, and putting in stepping stones. After Lights. On our crew we had John the Master four weeks we realized one thing, “Armed with Fire Builder, Sam the Master Chef, and Metzi the Tupperware, we fear no excess!” Master Housekeeper. We also cannot forget Liz, Katherine, and Bruce Springsteen, the Bosses. “I learned I can do things that I did not think I could do.” Finally, we’d like to extend a hearty shout-out -Amanda Zarella to our new found homes at the USFS. You stay Corps Member, 2005 classy Moosalamoo! We’re Roving 8! 27 Roving 9 Roving 10

Back Row: (Left to Right) John Leddy (Program Left to Right: Adam Keeling (Crew Leader), Jessica Coordinator), Mary Letourneau (Crew Leader). Front Berry, Phil Reynolds, Oliver Hackerson, Katie Tanner, Row: (Left to Right) Ethan Swift (Project Sponsor), Kayla McAllister, Henry Grover. Not Pictured: Carly Kelsie Sinnock, Erin McAvoy, Zack Reich, Eric Jefferies (Assistant Crew Leader). Merberg.

Our four weeks were full of Marshes and The members of Roving 10 had an amazing Darshes. There were also midnight verses of summer as we transitioned from ordinary people Kumbaya. We worked hard to build boardwalks, into watershed conservation experts. Our path staircases, and rock retaining walls. There were across Vermont started in West Berlin. During cross cut races, yoga at the fair, and football at the days we installed 40 tree revetments to the Jazz Fest. We got plenty of laughs, but we stabilize the bank of the Dog River and to prevent lost out at the raffle scam. Fortunately, Pam erosion. helped us with our incorrect stances. We will always remember when Bill finally gave us his During week two we worked in the Pittsford cougar story, which was topped only by Dave’s area. We removed miles of fencing to restore the legend of Fiery Shadows. wetlands and create paths for native animals. Additionally, we documented the local flora and In the end we were an awesome crew. We fauna in the area. enjoyed Polar bear swims in the morning and sweat lodges at night. Haircuts by Carly made Week three brought us to The Nature us all look strapping. We fought off raccoons, Conservancy’s Native Plant Nursery in West bees, and porcupines. In case of emergency, call Haven. We pulled water chestnuts and built 70 Roving 9-1-1! We biked with large turtleheads feet of puncheon bridge along the Helen Buckner and had many memories and laughs we will Trail. never forget. Embrace your inner dork. Week four brought us full circle as we planted many trees from the nursery in the Danby-Pawlet region. We even got to do some tree revetments “You will learn so much about yourself and as experts! We were also able to meet some of about people in general. Sometimes it’s hard the local farmers and plant trees on a sheep farm. and you don’t think you’ll make it but in the Thanks to our awesome sponsors, teamwork, end when you look back at all the good times and great work ethic, Roving 10 finished all of our projects as intended. We all got to take a you had, you’ll realize it was worth it.” whirlwind tour of Vermont’s watersheds and -Kailey Snow complete work projects that made a difference. Corps Member, 2005 Most importantly, we built a strong community and had many laughs along the way.

28 Roving 11 Roving 12

Back Row: (Left to Right) Josh LaFlam, Jordan Kidder, Back Row: (Left to Right) Annie McGinn, Spencer Nate Spring, Glynnis Cronin, Matthew Brantner Williams, Eric Jenness, James Cote (Crew Leader), (Crew Leader). Front Row: (Left to Right) Holly Jones, Christine Severson (Crew Leader). Front Row: (Left Krista Snyder (Crew Leader), Elizabeth Dana, Tina to Right) Mark Blair, Justin Matarazu, Erica Parker, Freeman, Noah Pare. Andrea Franklin, Clara Rubin-Crump.

As our campground neighbors could tell you, the 30 days in the VYCC trademark of Roving 11 was our raucous singing. 29 days of wanting to sleep in We needed to go to bed early to be up at 4:45 28 days of oatmeal and pb&j a.m. and on the road to the Missisquoi National 27 days without showers Wildlife Refuge by 6:00 a.m. 26 times we sang “Ironic” 25 times we forgot to start the dish water We started off moving rocks, literally tons of 24 confessions made by crew members them. We whirled through the project with the 23 times we said “I know a guy” help of our project sponsor, Dave Bertrand. Our 22 times we did kokology next project was a boardwalk. Our sponsor Joe 21 different potty jokes Frisque inspired the singing, posing, boardwalk- 20 days waking before the sun building, disco-dancing group, Joe’s Angels. 19 animal bones in our camp site 18 WoRD discussions All of this was completed while avoiding the evil 17 people at Nona’s sponsor dinner ruffed-grouse who we had not so affectionately 16 times Nona invited us over named Bernard. 15 times Eric was told not to climb a tree 14th day is time to move That brings us to week four. There were miles 13 letters Annie got every week and miles of walking, lopping, and singing 12 times we wanted to make a John Leddy trap catchy 80’s music by A-ha! 11 games of monopoly 10 mornings so cold we could see our breath All this work was augmented by our 9 awesome people we met the first day Conservation Leadership Project, which 8 days of soggy boots was a roaring good time. It was based upon 7 days complete with the original crew the philosophic conundrum offered by the 6 new crew dogs most famous Josh LaFlam, “Conservation, 5 days of swimming Conservation, Conservation, Conservation, what 4 toilets we accidentally clogged to do about Conservation?” The question was 3 members lost answered for our parents and was answered in 2 bridges built our daily lives by our conservation of showers 1 great experience and elimination of “Our Remaining Tidbits.” We all eat the WHOLE apple now.

29 Roving 13 Roving 14

Left to Right: Andrew Hathaway (Crew Leader), Erin Back Row: (Left to Right) Alicia Whitcomb, Danielle McCreary, Colin Connor, Nick Capobianco, James Ploof, Bryan Piaseczny, Natalie Chester (Crew Leader) Gunther, Elizabeth Demarais, Daniel Patterson, Front Row: (Left to Right) Scott Renker (Crew Leader), Brianna Farver (Crew Leader). Not pictured: Kathlyne Emily Robbins, Clara Kassel, Jeff Helms. Not Pictured: French, Alice Newton. Nick Cullinan.

Not so long ago, in a wilderness not so far When we all met up in Stowe on July 30th, the away…Eight crew members toiled tirelessly to members of Roving 14 were excited, anxious, build a handicap accessible trail out of the side of and most importantly energized for our journey the Quechee Gorge. ahead.

Eight hours of sleep was not possible as men We drove in “Marshmallow” to DAR State pounded at trees with hammers. We awoke one Park, where we lived for the first two weeks. morning to two new crew members, 80 rocks, Clearing trails, chopping up innumerable and 80 tons of gravel. After our “off-road wheel stumps, and pushing endless wheel barrows full barrowing” competitions, swimming in the gorge of gravel was especially satisfying. Our little was a welcome relief. section of trail was eventually going to link two larger bike paths together. Although no screens were present, over four weeks we relived countless movies (much to the Despite the heat and swarms of mosquitoes, we dismay of some). bonded over our work and many recitations of John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Our Leaving the “front-country” experience, after a campsite had a large beach, and we spent at least hearty dinner at the Pizza Chef, we packed up a half hour in Lake Champlain every day. camp and moved to the Groton State Forest. After building a causeway and two bridges, mud After two weeks on the rail trail, we packed our fights were commenced with tactics that would backpacks and all of our tools and headed to make West Pointers jealous. Colchester Pond. There we used canoes to haul our food and equipment to our spike site. Over In week three we made friends with park staff the next two weeks we built hundreds of feet of who we eagerly joined in the culmination of a puncheon bridge, met many different people on five year project to build and install interpretive the trail, and made friends with several dogs and panels to be set up around the forest. red elves.

In the end, the valiant Roving 13 won the battle After four weeks of campfires, games, and and defeated vandals, the Emperors of Erosion, delicious dinners from Natalie, we are happy to and the Quechee Gorge with its 5% grade. return home to our showers, but extremely sad to leave each other.

30

Community Crews 2005 Burlington Crew Montpelier Crew

Back Row: (Left to Right) Travis Houle, Tricia Guyette, Back Row: (Left to Right) Andrew Balentine, Michael Caleb Ruopp, Tenesha Ducharme, Pete Spartos, Elliot, Aveyen Farneth, Andrew Bisset (Crew Leader), Maureen McClintock, Nick Pintauro, Drew Cameron. Charles Davis, Andrew Magee (Crew Leader), Rachael Front Row: (Left to Right) Erin Kavanaugh (Crew Peabody. Front Row: (Left to Right) Rachael Phelps, Leader), Keith FitzPatrick (Crew Leader). Lynn O’Connell, Shahiyela Hunter.

Hard-working, fun-loving, and full of team spirit, First Project: Mill Pond Park. We knew the we are the Burlington Community Crew. aliens had found us when we spotted a green plane flying overhead. We even had suspicions We began by blazing a new trail at Indian Brook that our sponsor was an alien because he in Essex. During those two weeks, we learned communicated back to base on his cell phone. teamwork, how to use our tools, how to bench, The dead giveaway was when Spanky the Super and how to crib. We also had the opportunity to Chicken was abducted. swim on hot days, and it was much appreciated. Second Project: Waterbury Decking. We knew Our next two weeks were spent in Vergennes we were in trouble when we realized our project clearing up the Otter Creek shoreline and making was located next to their factory. To distract a sidewalk. In Vergennes we felt the beginnings ourselves from the fear, we played a game of of the fame to come for our crew. The local paper Mafia. interviewed us, as did the Middlebury paper. Third Project: Canales Woods Park. The The next week was spent building puncheon moment we arrived we were mocked by the bridges, pounding rebar, and building a bridge in aliens. We heard their whistles while building South Burlington. rock steps. We feared the worst, and had to fight back. We grabbed our rock bars, fire rakes, and Our last two weeks contained our 15 minutes of hazel hoes and infiltrated their base. fame. When we took on our rain garden project, the papers and news channels began to notice Fourth Project: Cross Vermont Trail. Armed us. Over the next week, there was at least one and ready we invaded. They fought back by reporter each day. We were in two newspapers hindering our progress with mounds of clay and and on two news channels. Meanwhile, we tree stumps. We were ready with hoes and the constructed four magnificent gardens and gave grip hoist! We had almost defeated them when our presentations confident in our knowledge. it became obvious that our leaders were aliens! Luckily, Patrick, the Super Hero Against Aliens, On our last day of work we congratulated saved the day. Who knows where the aliens will ourselves on a job well-done, cleaned our tools strike next. one last time, and then played a good game of Frisbee. To Be Continued…

33 Morrisville Crew Woodstock Crew

Back Row: (Left to Right) Brooke Donoghue, Chris Macedo, Back Row: (Left to Right) Jamielee Cedar-Kelly, Meagan Avery Knapp, Brett Andrews, Kathy Ramsey (Crew Robidoux (Crew Leader), Christopher Hartson, Casey Leader). Front Row: (Left to Right) Colin Rounds, Kristina Darrah-Lamb. Front Row: (Left to Right) Joshua Newton, Hammond, Kenny Logan (Crew Leader), James Martel. Not Anne Williams. Not Pictured: Matthew Sherlaw. pictured: Seth Heirs, Faythe-Anne Mackenzie, Amanda Bump.

The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps We worked in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Morrisville Community Crew spent seven weeks National Historical Park. in Lamoille County. We tackled a variety of projects, but spent the We worked mainly on watershed restoration majority of our time removing invasive plant and erosion prevention. We began our session species from forest edges. We became experts in Montpelier, where we planted 43 trees over at identifying buckthorn and barberry. Once a time period of two weeks. We also helped to identified, we ripped the plants up from the roots stomp out the invasive Japanese knotweed (aka with weed-wrenches. Who would’ve guessed snotweed) along the river. that the systematic eradication of an entire species could be so satisfying? Next we spent a week at the Green River Reservoir building stone stairs. For a change of Another project involved sinking stepping stones pace one day, we were able to take canoes and on a historic footpath. We quarried enormous paddle out for lunch. rocks and moved them down a hillside to place them in wet areas on the trail. We also redirected We also spent four days building a check dam water from a seep and repaired a badly eroded behind the Wok n’ Roll. Then we filled a culvert piece of trail using rocks and mineral soil. with rip rap along Route 100. The next week, we removed a total of 70 tires from an illegal One of our favorite projects was constructing a dumping site in Georgia and in places along the deer exclosure in an area where White Pines had Lamoille River. Then we learned how to cable blown down in a storm. The 30x30 foot cage trees into a stream bank in Hardwick to prevent should last a few decades and allow researchers erosion and sedimentary deposits into Lake to study the effects of deer grazing in Vermont’s Champlain. Also while there we put in a canoe forests. access and repaired a boat launch. Our soil erosion models, our park trivia game, During our time working for the VYCC, we not and our film “Invasive Species: The Growing only helped the community; we also helped Threat,” all received excellent reviews at our ourselves as we gained valuable leadership community presentation. It was a great way to experience. end the season.

34

Fall Leadership Crews 2005 Fall Leadership 1 Fall Leadership 2

Left to Right: Jim Cote, Scott Renker, Kezia Procita, Left to Right: Natalie Chester, Lucy Parker, Keegan Katherine Buell, Andrew Hathaway, Brianna Farver. Tierney, Andrew Magee, Krista Landrigan.

The first Fall Leadership Crew spent three It all started on a cold October morning. We were weeks in Mendon on the Blue Ridge/Canty Trail sitting in the new barn and meeting each other picking up where five years of VYCC crews had not for the first time, but at least for the first time left off. working together. We looked at one another and laughed; we knew this would be quite the The crew was given the opportunity to develop adventure. their technical skills and trail expertise by diagnosing the trail themselves. Crew Leaders And so it was; three weeks, two days off, and 14 learned to communicate ideas and work together days of rain later, we still had five crew members to decide what, where, and how to tackle the and one dog. We went through three spike sites, challenging maintenance the Blue Ridge/Canty four projects, two vans, three cell phones, four Trail had to offer. colds, and one case of food poisoning.

After three weeks, the crew had built a 10-step We went on one hike, had one laundry day, stone staircase, put in approximately 15 cribbing worked with two awesome project sponsors, stones, and redefined the trail head and drainage ate three school lunches, and consumed for a quarter of a mile. approximately 80 oz of coffee per person, per day (excluding the dog). We lived in five tents, The final week was spent constructing lean-tos one fire house and one barn. We helped build six behind the new Training Center in Richmond. lean-tos. The crew constructed one entire lean-to and prepared six sites for over eighty volunteers We hand-placed 90 cubic yards of rip-rap, during the very first Alumni Rendezvous. removed 150 yards of defunct retaining wall, and finished one project of planting 100 trees in seven The crew also had the chance to reflect on their hours! seasons through conversations and sharing with fellow Crew Leaders, but also through the All of this was in preparation for saving the facilitation of a training workshop of their choice. world. Nothing could hold us down, because we would, in the words of the legendary In the end, the Fall Leadership Crew was hugely conservationist and motivational speaker James successful in building on an already intense Brown; “GET UP! Get on up! Get up! Get on up, experience for Crew Leaders. get on the scene, get on up . . .we got soul, we’re super bad!”

37 News from HQ Jason Buss and the generous volunteer hours he offered Program during the summer field season. We wish him Coordinator the best of luck in all his future endeavors. Jason received Thank you Tony! his B.A. in Environmental Jennifer Hezel Science and Policy Administrative Coordinator from the University Jennifer, originally from New York, joined the of Southern Maine VYCC team in in 2001. Jason February 2005 as joined the VYCC the Administrative as a Corps Member Coordinator. in 1999 and returned as Assistant Manager the As an avid following year. He then moved into a Park outdoorswoman and Manager position at Elmore State Park during dedicated telemark 2001 and 2002. After the 2002 field season, Jason skier, Jennifer worked for the School for Field Studies in the has lived in Utah, Turks and Caicos Islands as Site Manager before Alaska, California, coming back to VYCC in January 2005. In his and various current role as Program Coordinator, Jason locations within brings a unique perspective to his position as Central America. She is a graduate of the he is responsible for staff hiring, training, and University of Oregon’s Interdisciplinary Master supervision, as well as strategic planning for of Science program where she completed the Parks Program. Thanks for your continued course work in political science, journalism, service Jason! communications, public policy, and management. As an individual inspired Tony Hemmelgarn by a career in public service, Jennifer brings Youth Development Manager a high level of skill and an incredible amount Tony brought a tremendous amount of of enthusiasm to her job. Whether fielding experience and professionalism to his position as questions from the general public, streamlining Youth Development administrative systems, or conducting research Manager. With for staff, it is evident that Jennifer is thrilled past experiences to integrate her love of the outdoors, the in recruitment and environment, education, and today’s youth youth development, within her professional life. Welcome aboard Tony had a solid Jennifer! working knowledge about how to get Kate Villa the word out, build Director of relationships with Development community partners, Kate Villa grew up in and ensure Corps Chittenden County Members were and recently returned prepared for their experience with the VYCC. to Vermont to join After two solid years with the organization, the VYCC in July Tony was whisked away by a job in the field of 2005 as the Director financial management, where he had previous of Development. work experience. We sincerely thank Tony for all She graduated from the work he accomplished while with the VYCC Columbia College,

38 News from HQ where she received a B.A. in Art History and developed goals and Economics, and stayed in New York City for action steps, and almost eight years. Having lived abroad in Italy most importantly and Costa Rica, and with experience in corporate implemented relations at Columbia Business School, special them – a person events at the Museum of Modern Art, capital and of action and an annual campaigns at Riverdale Country School, incredible leader! Manhattan Country School and the Vermont Megan moved to Historical Society, she is thrilled to apply her Charlottesville, development experience to the stewardship of Virginia, where Vermont’s landscape and the education of its her husband youth at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. Mike is attending Welcome to the team Kate! graduate school in architecture. She is now working as a Regional Jennifer Díaz Development Officer for the National Wildlife Development Manager Federation. Megan is a person we are proud Jennifer Díaz was hired in January of 2004 and honored to have as an alumna. Her as the VYCC’s Development Coordinator, work significantly advanced the organization and and was quickly promoted to Development continues to be a source of inspiration. Thank Manager, where she upgraded the gift entry and you Megan! acknowledgement system, managed Heather Nielsen the Raiser’s Edge Program Coordinator database, and After spending 2004 as VYCC’s Education and coordinated the Training AmeriCorps VISTA Member, Heather VYCC’s grants Nielsen transitioned into one of the Program program and Coordinator positions for which she recruits, individual giving. hires, trains, and supervises Field Staff. Heather She left the VYCC holds a B.A. in in August 2005 to Environmental become a Grants Studies from Administrator for Gustavus Adolphus the Department of College in Minnesota. Environmental Pathology & Laboratory Medicine She has worked at UVM and return to school to complete her as an educator in degree. We will miss her big smile and incredible several locations, organizational skills but wish her the best of luck including Deep in her new endeavors! Portage Conservation Reserve and the Megan Wenrich CLIMB Theatre Development Director Company, both in Megan was the Development and Capital Minnesota. She has led and worked on multiple Campaign Director for two years and was crews in Minnesota and North Carolina and charged with providing vision and leadership in has spent two summers as a Wilderness Crew the areas of government relations, community Leader and one as a Community Crew Leader for relations, and development. Megan did this the VYCC. Heather is enjoying her year-round task with grace, professionalism, sensitivity, residency in Vermont as she works on nailing and vision. She was a person who quickly the elusive Tele-turn and plans eagerly for the understood the big picture, solved problems, upcoming season. Welcome Heather!

39 VYCC: AmeriCorps VISTA

For the second year in a row, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps was awarded two AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America) Members. VISTA Members have been serving the country for more than forty years to build capacity and infrastructure in non-profit organizations and public agencies. The two national service members will help the VYCC to expand its capacity to serve youth and increase the sustainability of its programs. The VISTA Members will work on specific projects in both the Advancement Office and in Field Programs. The members will serve the VYCC for one year while earning a modest living stipend and an education award.

Andrew Magee Youth Development AmeriCorps VISTA

Originally from Conneticut, Andrew received a B.A. in Anthropology from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. After completing his degree, Andrew worked as a substitute teacher in the Boston public school system in Massachusetts and the Anchorage School District in Alaska. Andrew has also worked with the Green Mountain Club on their Long Trail Patrol, and during the 2005 Field Season Andrew successfully co-led the Montpelier Community Crew here at the VYCC. Andrew’s combined educational and professional background made him the clear choice as the new Youth Development AmeriCorps VISTA, where he will organize conservation clubs within high schools throughout Vermont and develop and lead a VYCC Leadership Crew. Welcome aboard Andrew!

JP Grogan Alumni Relations AmeriCorps VISTA

JP, originally from Arkansas, came to the VYCC with experience as a Team Leader with the AmeriCorps NCCC. While with the NCCC, JP led teams of young people to complete projects in the areas of environmental conservation, disaster relief, education, and un-met human needs. JP joined the VYCC as the Park Crew Manager at Silver Lake State Park in 2005. Recently, he transitioned to the new VYCC Alumni Relations AmeriCorps VISTA position. JP’s previous experience as an Admissions Counselor at his alma mater, Hendrix College, where he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in History, has helped him quickly administrate the duties of his position, working to help twenty years of alumni reconnect with the VYCC. Welcome to the team JP!

40 Bridgette Remington: VYCC Legacy!

Keeping the VYCC on the Cutting Edge

After four years of hard work, ingenuity, and tremendous dedication, Bridgette is leaving the VYCC to pursue her goal of obtaining a law degree. Whether her dreams take her to the south, out west, or keep her in Vermont’s backyard, we wish her the best of luck in all her endeavors and know that her determination and strong spirit will help her accomplish wonderful things. Before we say goodbye, we don’t want to miss this opportunity to thank her for all she has accomplished for this organization over the past four years.

Bridgette is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a degree in Political Science and an alumnus of American University’s Washington Semester Program in politics and public law. After living and working in California where she delved into accounting and outdoor pursuits, she returned to her home “Bridgette is bright, hard working, and always state to contribute to her belief in environmental wanting to learn more and be challenged. She stewardship and education. Bridgette joined the is truly a renaissance woman. Every year VYCC in November of 2001 as the Administrative she has been with VYCC, she has taken on Coordinator. greater responsibility and ever more important leadership roles. Bridgette is a person to watch As a quick learner and ambitious individual, as she is clearly destined to do great things and Bridgette quickly mastered the fundamentals of her make many significant achievements.” job. In her first year she established a technology -Thomas Hark plan and chaperoned the organization through a VYCC Founding President major software upgrade and numerous hardware improvements. In the fall of 2002, Bridgette took on her first of many special projects and began a six month process of re-designing the VYCC’s award- winning website and implementing an on-line application process. Her efforts took the organization to a new technological level, brought VYCC job opportunities to a larger audience, and resulted in an unprecedented level of efficiency in our hiring, marketing, and communication procedures.

As a follow up to her website accomplishments, Bridgette was promoted to Administrative Manager, and was ready to take on more. In the fall of 2003 she was the yearbook editor and began her Professional Certificate in Web Production at Champlain College. In 2004 she was promoted to Communication and IT Director and displayed a tremendous level of independence and ingenuity in helping the VYCC plan for our transition to the Education and Training Center in Richmond, VT.

During her final year at VYCC, and as a capstone project to her work experience, Bridgette was the project manager for the construction of the West Monitor Barn Education and Training Center. From managing the budget to coordinating efforts with contractors, town officials, historic preservation committee members, and financial representatives, Bridgette displayed remarkable endurance and perseverance during the process. We thank Bridgette for all her efforts and incredible accomplishments during her tenure here at the VYCC.

Best of luck Bridgette and Thank You!

41 With many thanks! Over 80% of our annual budget is funded by our project sponsors, and we are grateful to all of the organizations that partner with us to underwrite our programs and provide Vermont’s youth with conservation projects that foster leadership, build character (and muscles!), and provide meaningful employment for over 265 young people. Each year the VYCC accomplishes its mission of teaching individuals to take personal responsibility for all of their actions through partnerships with the following agencies:

42 With many thanks!

In addition to our project partners, we count on the gifts of foundations, local businesses, and generous individuals to raise the remaining 20% of the VYCC’s annual budget of $1.8 million*. With contributions big and small, the extraordinary support of our friends enables each of the youth that participate in the Field Season to return to their everyday lives with a better understanding of the importance of education, teamwork, and personal responsibility, and the knowledge that they have participated in the stewardship of Vermont’s landscape.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our donors for their generosity!

*Each one of our donors who made a gift to support the VYCC during fiscal year 2005 (between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005) will be listed in our Annual Report, which will be mailed in March 2006. This report will also contain detailed financial information regarding funding, revenues, and expenses.

43 Alumni Updates Over the past 20 years, the VYCC alum Josh Ryan this past summer, a division of the Community and has employed almost 4,000 amazing Economic Development Office. individuals as Corps Members, Field 1994 Staff, and HQ staff. Have you ever Dom Cloud was a Crew Leader in Susan Appe started as a Corps wondered what those folks are doing 1994 and 1995, and worked at HQ Member at Silver Lake State Park in now? Well here’s a snapshot of just until 2000. Dom is now Director of the 1997, and is finishing graduate school a few VYCC Alums from the past 20 Municipal Assistance Center for the in Arts Administration and Not- years, and where they are today. Vermont League of Cities and Towns. for-Profit Management in Eugene, Oregon. 1986 1995 Jeff Harvey was a Crew Leader in Tom Evers started as a Wilderness Darren Beatty and Gaylen 1986 and 1987, and is now a Forestry Crew Leader in 1995 and then (Matthews) Beatty were Park Technician with the Green Mountain spent two years managing Lake St. Managers at Silver Lake in 1997. National Forest. Catherine State Park. Tom is now They got married in 1999. Darren married, living in Minneapolis, and is now Development Officer for the 1987 working as the Development Director Oregon Council for the Humanities, Dana (Hearn) Hark started as a Crew for the Trust for Public Lands in based in Portland, Oregon. Gaylen is Leader in 1987, and worked at HQ Minnesota a graduate student at Portland State until 2000. Dana now operates her University pursuing her masters in own business from home where she Sarah Sweterlitsch started at VYCC Science Teaching, while completing is raising Eli (7), Zachary (5), and in summer 1995 as a Corps Member a graduate assistantship with the Rosie (3). She teaches environmental at Lake St. Catherine State Park. Sarah Bureau of Environmental Services, education at the grade school and also worked for VYCC for summers working part-time for Three Rivers serves on the Mallets Bay Board of 1999, 2000 and 2001. Sarah now works Land Conservancy, and a full time Directors. as a cancer research technician for the mom for daughters Ella and Claire. Medical University of South Carolina. John Zaber was a Crew Leader in Sarah lives in Charleston, South 1998 1987. John is now Dean of Students Carolina with her husband Uri. Nick Caputo was a Park Manager at Sterling College in Craftsbury, at Maidstone State Park in 1998 Vermont, where he has put his Scott McArdle started at HQ in 1995, and 1999, and is now Regional considerable talents to work helping and is now Vice President of Donor Ranger Supervisor for the Vermont students realize their dreams. Services at the Vermont Community Department of Forests, Parks & Foundation. He serves on many Recreation. 1990 boards and provides leadership to Tom Longstreth worked at HQ from non-profits statewide. JJ Boggs and Paul Schmidt started at 1990-1994. Tom now lives in Bolton HQ in 1998. JJ left in 2003 and Paul in with wife Julie and son Hector. Tom 1997 2004 to head to Alaska. JJ now works has been Director of Recycle North, an Josh Ryan started as a Crew Leader at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks education, training, and conservation in 1997 and worked at HQ until as the Leadership Development organization, since 1996. 2002. Josh has created his own Coordinator. Paul is now working trailbuilding business and completes at the Fairbanks North Star Borough 1991 jobs throughout New England. Josh Department of Parks and Recreation Gretchen Van De Car was a married fellow VYCC alum Jenna as the Assistant Project Coordinator. Wilderness Crew Leader in summer Potash this past summer. 1991. Gretchen is now Executive Heather (Hibbard) Furman was a Director of the Rocky Mountain Youth Sara Moore was a Corps Member Park Manager at Maidstone State Corps in Steamboat Springs, CO. at Silver Lake State Park in 1997, Park in 1998. Heather now works as Smugglers Notch State Park in 1998, Executive Director for the Stowe Land 1993 an Assistant at Bomoseen State Trust in Vermont. Jenna (Potash) Ryan was a Corps Park in 2000, and a Park Manager Member at Lake St. Catherine State at Elmore State Park in 2004. Sara 1999 Park in 1993, and worked at HQ is soon to begin her second term as Lindsay Wormwood was a Roving until 2002. Jenna is now Assistant an AmeriCorps VISTA Community Crew Member in 1999, and spent the Admissions Director at Sterling Organizer at the Burlington past summer working as a Vermont College and married fellow VYCC Neighborhood Project, which is State Park Naturalist. Lindsay recently

44 This enterprise has involved Willie working on trail projects in Massachusetts, upstate New York, and Alumni Updates North Carolina. Willie is currently in Louisiana working with the VYCC responded to Hurricane Katrina relief now pursuing his PhD in Natural Disaster Relief Crew. efforts in the Gulf Region. Resources at the University of Vermont and serves on the VYCC John Leddy was a Crew Leader for Vanessa Arms was an Assistant Board of Directors. the 2003 season, and currently works Manager at Silver Lake State Park at HQ as a Program Coordinator. 2005 in 1999, and is now Executive Aubrie Morris and Jason Hurley saw his marriage to Tiffany Tillman Assistant with the Vermont Agency of were Park Managers at Emerald Lake and the birth of their daughter Adalee Agriculture, Food & Markets. State Park in 2002. Aubrie is now Rose. a State Park Ranger at Crowders Jess Murphy and Danielle Jester were Mountain State Park, near Charlotte, Joslyn Meier was a Roving Crew Park Managers at Emerald Lake State NC, and Jason works at McDowell Leader in 2003. She is now a Park in 1999. Jess and Danielle got Nature Preserve, where he coordinates dual degree graduate student at married in 2002, and are expecting the outdoor recreation programs Columbia University in New York their first baby in late 2005. Jess is for Mecklenburg County Parks and in International Affairs and Public now a landscape architect working for Recreation Department. Aubrie and Health. She has also worked and a land planning and urban design firm Jason were married in 2003. studied in India for much of the past in Annapolis, MD. Danielle studied two years. Recreation Resource Management and Pete Scherer was a Roving Crew GIS and plans to return to work after Leader for summer 2002, then 2004 the baby is born. worked for the Central Vermont Solid Greg Rosewell was a Wilderness Waste Management District. Pete is Corps Member during 2004, and is 2000 currently working for the California now a senior at the University of Matt Weeks was an Assistant Park Conservation Corps on a backcountry Vermont. Manager at Bomoseen State Park in trail crew in King’s Canyon National 2000, and now works in the GIS field Park. Margaret Fitch was a Roving Corps in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, making Member in 2004 and is now a student mapping software used by emergency Mary McQuiggan was a Corps at the University of Vermont. responders. Member on Roving and Wilderness Crews for the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Maggie Hooker was a Wilderness 2001 seasons. She is currently in her second Crew Leader in 2004. Maggie now Josh Windjue and Sara Saksewski year at Cornell College in Ithaca NY. teaches outdoor education classes at were Assistant Park Managers at Johnson State College and Lotus Lake Lake St. Catherine State Park in Ben Fruend was a Wilderness Corps Discovery Center in Williamstown, summer 2001. Sara now works at the Member during the summers of 2002 Vermont, works full time in the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education and 2003. This summer, after finishing logging business, and is studying for Program (KEEP) based at the College two years at Paul Smith College in her Masters Degree. of Natural Resources in the University upstate NY, he went to Alaska to of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Josh work with the Student Conservation Ivo Lippold was a Roving Corps works as a lineman apprentice with Association, doing trail and forestry Member in 2004 and 2005. He is an electrical contractor, working on work throughout southeast Alaska’s currently a student at the University of transmission line projects. Josh and islands and coastlines. Vermont. Sara got married this summer. 2003 If you would like to contact any of Daniel Marnewick was Park Jennie Date was the Montpelier these folks, please email JP Grogan, Manager at Emerald Lake State Park Community Crew Leader for the VYCC Alumni Relations VISTA at during 2001. Daniel is currently an 2003 season. Jennie lives in Winooski, [email protected] and he will put environmental sociologist consultant, Vermont, and works as a Program you in touch. Or, if you are one of the based in his home country of South Coordinator for Northern New VYCC’s many alumni and have news Africa, working with the Worldwide England Tradeswomen. to share with the VYCC community, Fund for Nature and the Endangered please contact JP. We welcome your Wildlife Trust, among others. Willie Bittner was a Wilderness Crew updates! Leader for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. 2002 He continues to make trail work his Jeff Hallo was a Park Manager life, working with a trail building at Branbury State Park in 2002, is company based out of Massachusetts.

45 The New Home of the VYCC!

In 2005, the VYCC moved into its new headquarters in the restored West Monitor Barn in Richmond! We couldn’t be more excited to finally move into our new home, which will house year-round offices, field staff trainings, start ups and closures, and tool and vehicle storage.

Since 2000, the VYCC has partnered with the Richmond Land Trust to restore the beautiful and historic West Monitor Barn, conserve the surrounding 230-acres of fields and forests, and return the property to productive use as the new Youth Leadership, Education and Training Center for the VYCC. Led by volunteers from statewide organizations, the Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders Campaign has raised almost $2.8 million of the $3.7 million required to complete the project, and the building became the VYCC headquarters in September 2005! In order to completely outfit the site for educating and training Vermont’s youth, we must raise the remaining $900,000 required to complete the commercial kitchen that will allow us to feed our Crew Leaders during training, complete the construction required to fully utilize the 3rd floor, and outfit the basement for tool storage. We hope to have the barn fully operational for training in Spring 2006 and complete the campaign by the end of next year.

This project, which was first a dream, then a plan, and has finally become reality, is possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors. From the four year old who brought us the contents of his piggy bank to help complete the project to a gentleman who left $300,000 to the VYCC to secure a permanent home for the Corps, the outpouring of support has been inspirational. For more information on how you can get involved or support the project, please contact Kate Villa, VYCC Director of Development, at (802) 434-3969 x110 or [email protected].

46 SAVE THE DATE!!

VYCC’S Second Annual Alumni Rendezvous October 7-8, 2006

Mark your calendars to attend the VYCC’s Second Annual Alumni Rendezvous on Columbus Day Weekend 2006. Join over 20 years of alumni and friends at the VYCC Education and Training Center in the newly restored West Monitor Barn in Richmond, VT, to reconnect and celebrate yet another successful year of VYCC programs. There will be great food, lodging available on and off-site, evening entertainment, and a fun service project in true VYCC style!

Look for further information on the web at www.vycc.org or in the mail. If you would like to help plan the 2006 event, please contact JP Grogan at 434-3969 x111 or [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you next October! Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (802) 434-3969 www.vycc.org