Youth Development Program

For the past 25 years, The Watershed Center has offered IVSC to youth in the Hayfork area, nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards. IVSC provides six weeks of free camp experiences for TK–6th grade students. Starting during spring break and extending into summer, campers participate in fun and enriching outdoor activities building self-confidence, making new friends, and connecting with nature and their community. IVSC is a collaborative effort with Mountain Valley Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.

This collaborative effort works to foster young environmental stewards from across the Klamath Mountain region. Together with our partners, we support outdoor learning experiences—from environmental camp to the Hyampom Salmon Gathering—inspiring hundreds of students and families to explore local ecosystems and discover stewardship pathways. This project is coordinated by the Bigfoot Trail Alliance, funded in partnership with the S.H. Cowell Foundation, and inspired the Klamath Mountain Workforce Training Network which provides a series of learning workshops for youth to explore natural resource specialties, meet professionals, and learn in the field.

For over 20 years, The Watershed Center has provided paid work-based learning experiences in natural resources management to Trinity County youth.  The YCC summer program connects teens to meaningful work, in partnership with the Forest Service and the community.  Through hands-on projects—such as trail maintenance, invasive weed removal, and wildlife habitat restoration—participants build job skills while cultivating environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.

A fiscally sponsored program of The Watershed Center, Trinity Together supports college and career readiness for all Trinity County youth. Initiatives support a Cradle to Career Partnership model that provides hands-on learning, career pathway navigation, and work-based learning opportunities. Trinity Together is proud to organize the Trinity County College and Career Exp, Mock Interviews for high school students, and many other career readiness programs.

www.trinitytogethercradletocareer.org

The Watershed Center is pleased to host the Annual Hymapom Salmon Gathering, a community celebration bringing together Trinity County youth, families, and local professionals for salmonid education and watershed stewardship. Education Days invite youth to the Hyampom Community Center for a day of salmon spawning viewing, hands-on activities, and outdoor education. The event culminates on Saturday for a community-wide potluck to connect with local professionals about their projects and observe salmon on their redds.