Youth Environmental Program - YEP
What Is It?
The West Virginia Youth Environmental Program provides a challenge and an opportunity to the youth of our state to participate in environmental projects within their communities. To enroll in the program, click on YEP logo above. Click here for enrollment materials.
Purpose
The Program is co-sponsored by the DEP and Quad Graphics of Martinsburg. It is designed to unite existing youth groups such as 4-H clubs, scouts, kindergarten, elementary, junior high/middle and high schools, FFA chapters, church youth fellowships, and others toward the common goal of Making West Virginia Shine! The program provides incentive to the groups to actively participate in environmental projects. It creates an interest and enthusiasm for preserving our natural resources, with more than $11,000 in cash and other awards including a college scholarship.
How To Become Involved
Youth groups can become involved in the West Virginia Youth Environmental Program by simply enrolling at any time. There is no obligation and no cost. Each group that enrolls receives informative materials, including an official certificate of enrollment, lists of available awards, the award sponsors, project ideas, and criteria for reporting.
Youth groups enrolled in the program must submit a report of their projects to become eligible for more than $11,000 in awards. Projects are to be completed from April 16 of the current year through April 15 of the next year. These reports are judged and the winning youth groups are presented their awards at the Annual Youth Environmental Day. This event is held the third Saturday in May at North Bend State Park, Cairo, West Virginia. Individual awards are also available. For additional information about the YEP and to learn more about enrollment, please contact:
Diana Haid
WV Department of Environmental Protection
Public Information Office
601 57th Street SE, Charleston, West Virginia 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499 ext. 1114 Fax: (304) 926-0447
Diana.K.Haid@wv.gov
Additional Activities
Youth Environmental Day
The Annual Youth Environmental Day will be held at North Bend State Park the third Saturday in May. Approximately 1,100 participants attend. Highlighting the activities is the presentation of more than $11,000 in cash awards and scholarships in recognition of outstanding environmental accomplishments by the youth groups enrolled in the program.
Special guests may include the governor, the DEP cabinet secretary, representatives from several award sponsors and dignitaries. Smokey Bear and Eco the Owl welcome everyone to this special event. Many exhibits are featured, including the WV Division of Forestry, West Virginia State Parks, Raptor Rehabilitation, Wildlife Jeopardy, the governor's REAP program, Wildfoods, West Virginia Divsion of Natural Resources Law Enforcement featuring Eddie Eagle and Robo Deer, and many more.
Camping is free for those participants wanting to stay for the weekend. Lunch on Saturday is also provided free to all participants. A program is held on Friday night and a dance is held on Saturday night. Click here for more information and registration form.
Junior Conservation Camp
The DEP Junior Conservation Camp is open to anyone between the ages of 11 and 14. The camp offers a wide variety of classes that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of the environment and enable them to become good stewards of our natural resources. Classes include forestry, wildlife, archery, water study, recycling, hunter education, fishing, and many others. Sports activities include basketball, kickball, volleyball, and more. Click here for a camp brochure and application form. If you are 14-18 years old and would like to attend a conservation camp similar to the Junior Conservation Camp offered by the YEP, the West Virginia State Conservation Camp is probably what you're looking for. For more information click here.
Youth Environmental Conference
The YEC is a weekend conference in October filled with environmental activities geared toward youth between the ages of 13 and 18. The participants attend environmental workshops on such subjects as recycling, clean water, wildlife, etc.
Tours are scheduled for Saturday to various places of interest in close proximity to the conference location. Such places have included the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank, and the National Park Service Sandstone Visitor Center in Hinton, Mt. Storm and John Amos power plants. Click here for more information.