The Youth Programs Division engages youth between the ages of 5 and 24 in various programs of the National Park Service so as to develop a life-long commitment to support our national parks, and protect our natural environment and cultural heritage. At present, there are over 25 youth programs operating throughout the National Park System. Youth Programs encompasses a wide array of missions and responsibilities including the fostering of a strong relationship between youth and the natural and cultural resources managed by the NPS and instilling a work ethic into our nation’s youth.

It is the responsibility of the Youth Programs Division in the NPS to insure that young Americans from different economic, ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds gain access to the national parks. Through programs, such as the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), Job Corps, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Corps Network, and Public Land Corps (PLC), young people are provided with the opportunity to work on maintaining the infrastructure of national parks.

The purpose of the Washington Office (WASO) is to provide information and support to individual national parks, regional offices, Job Corps Centers (JCC), nonprofit partners, and young adults for all of its program areas. This office maintains a database of information on various youth programs and will partner or participate with other entities at the national level. The division is also responsible for allocating funding for PLC projects and serving as supervisory and support staff for three JCC; two of which are located on national parks.