The Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) is​ a joint program of the Anchorage Park Foundation and the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department. The goal of the YEP program is to positively engage a new generation of diverse youth leaders with the environment and the Anchorage community, through meaningfu​l training, employment, and outdoor education.

Each summer YEP hires Anchorage teens to complete park improvement projects and offer recreation programs in Anchorage parks. Teens learn valuable natural resource management and recreation job skills by building trails, restoring stream banks, and conducting other park improvements. In addition, the youth learn from civic engagement and leadership, and participate in a Mentorship Week at the end of the program to link their new skills to future careers. YEP puts teens to work making a difference in our community!

Youth Employment in Parks:

• ​Creates a meaningful "first job" experience and career pathway for diverse youth to work in the outdoors and natural resources fields.
• Exposes youth to the outdoors and connect them with nature to support healthy lifestyles.
  
• Provides youth with community action skills and character development so they may become effective citizens.
• Improves community through enhanced recreation opportunities, parks, and public spaces.