Despite living in a county that is about 90 percent forested, many Skamania County youth have few connections and little knowledge of the surrounding forest. With changing economies, youth also have few employment opportunities nor many chances to develop job experience. Additionally constrained resources, forest managers and communities need help completing projects that benefit the health of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. These three challenges make this forest youth program a success for Skamania County!
Forest Youth Success is a program of unique partnerships between:
- WSU Extension 4-H Adventure Education
- Stevenson Carson School District
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest U.S. Forest Service
- Skamania County
Skamania County young adults employed by the FYS Program learn-by-doing. WSU 4H Challenge programs help create a safe, hands-on learning environment that achieve the following goals for the program:
- Teach the fundamentals of forest ecology and forest health management
- Enhance and develop positive life skills to increase employability (self confidence, communication, teamwork, group problem solving)
- Develop a sense of responsibility for the forest and Skamania County communities
- Achieve infrastructure and ecosystem management objectives on the south end of the GPNF and nearby communities
- Provide basic job skills while earning a minimum wage stipend to participating youth and employ local adults as crew leaders
For more information contact:
Somer Meade, WSU Skamania County Extension 4-H, somer.meade@wsu.edu 509.427.3932
Hiring & Program Updates can be viewed on the Stevenson-Carson School District website.
Requirements for Youth
Forest Youth Success is a paid summer work program for teens living in or on the border of Skamania County. All teens must:
- Be current 8th-11th graders
- Complete an Application and an Interview
- Attend the virtual orientation with their family
- Be available to work Monday-Friday for approximately 7 weeks in the summer (7:45a-3:00p)
The starting wage for teens is minimum wage ($16.66/hr in 2025) with some room for advancement with additional leadership and responsibilities for our selected mentors.
Generally, Mondays-Thursday are reserved for trail work and maintenance for our project partners. Fridays are reserved for learning and taking care of our home base. We will have guest speakers, field trips, and group learning activities.
For more information, check out About Applying for FYS (PDF).
Applications are available in the Spring, and are typically due after Spring Break.
The Application Period for the current season is Closed. Watch for news about FYS every spring!
Requirements for Adults
We typically have 1-3 adult positions open each year. Adults over the age of 21 are able to apply for the Program Coordinator position and Adult Crew Leaders. The position descriptions can be found below.
To be considered for a position:
- Submit an SCSD Classified Application to FYS@scsd303.org
- Complete an interview with the Technical Advisor & Program Coordinator
- Have a WA state driver’s license and a clean driving record, and be willing to drive a 8-passenger van with teens
- Commit to working Monday-Friday, late June through mid-August
- Have an interest in working with teens on a variety of life, professional, and technical skills
- Be able to work outside in all conditions, and traverse a variety of terrains
- Be able to work from the Stevenson-Carson, WA area Monday-Friday
The starting wage for adult staff is $21/hr commensurate with experience.
All Adult Staff positions are filled for the current season!
Interested in supporting our work? Forest Youth Success is now able to accept donations! Donations via check can be sent to the following address: Stevenson-Carson School District, c/o Forest Youth Success, PO Box 850, Stevenson, WA 98648. If you would prefer to make a donation using a card, please check out our FYS Donation Instructions_2025.
Stevenson-Carson School District Online Payment Website
