Y.C.C is For Me

As a Youth Conservation Corps crew member I have been given the opportunity to connect myself and others with nature. . Here is my story.

Over my 16 years of life I have only ever lived on Kodiak Island and have had many opportunities to discover and experience all that nature has had to offer. Many of these opportunities have been orchestrated by the Fish and Wildlife Service and members of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

Throughout my elementary school days I participated in multiple years of the Fish and Wildlife Service program “Salmon Camp.” Salmon Camp consisted of many fun games and learning opportunities that projected me into the world of natural involvement.

Following my days in Salmon Camp, I learned of the oppurtunity to join a crew that is heavily involved in nature, while also having fun. The Youth Conservation Corps peaked my interest when i was younger and had me awaiting my time to apply.

Throughout the 2019 summer, the crew and I have experienced many new and different things, all while having fun and meeting new people. We have had three different trips in the field, all filled with with unique expereinces fueled by nature. Outside of our three trips we have also been involved in activities and different programs in town. Many of our activities have been focused on connecting kids to nature in different ways. Some of the programs and activities we have put on for kids are fishing friday, nature journaling, and nature pop up art. Anything that we wanted to do required hours of planning and brainstorming to make sure that the kids recieved the best experience possible.

Different from educational activities, the Y.C.C crew and I have traveled to Frazer Lake, Chief Cove, and Uganik Lake. Each location delivered an adventure different from the other.

Frazer Lake was our first trip of the summer and consisted of seeing many bears early in the season. At Frazer Lake we met two Fish and Game seasonal workers who were stationed at Frazer Fish pass. They invited us into their cabin for a night to play card games and allowed us to sample fish with them the day before. The crew and I prepared Frazer Lake and trails near the dog salmon creek bear viewing pad for visitors to enjoy. We cleared and graveled trails, put up information signs, and enjoyed time getting to know each other. The crew also taught me many new card games that I have never played before.

Our second trip, following Frazer Lake, was to Chief Cove. The first day in Chief Cove required much waiting and patience because of our difficulties unlocking the cabin. This time allowed for all of us to relax, do art, listen to music, and enjoy the scenery that our island had to offer. For our Chief Cove trip we dug my first ever outhouse hole for many hours. The previous outhouse that was being used was getting full and was very old, so a new outhouse was long due. The crew and I hauled lumber for cabin renevation and also got a tour on the Ursa Major II. In our final days we helped collect and haul out trash that accumulated around the cabins over the years of use. The experience that made the Chief Cove trip like no other was the kindness of the staff on the Ursa Major II and the hospitality they showed while we visited their vessel. On our off time I kept myself entertained by playing cards with the crew, and enjoying long nights with fires on the beach.

For the last trip, we were fortunate enough to spend time at Uganik Lake for four days. Besides beautiful views, we got to enjoy fires, great food, and fantastic weather. Our work included moving an outhouse, clearing and gravelling trails, painting a countertop and meat cache, and staining the cabins porch and boardwalk. My favorite part about Uganik Lake was the continuos sunny weather that motivated us to continue working.

This summer created a lot of first experiences for me. Our trip to Frazer Lake was my first time ever being able to ride in a float plane and see Kodiak from a different perspective. In our flights I was able to look down upon Kodiak’s beautiful mountains, rivers, valleys, lakes, and wildlife.

I would not have wanted this summer to go any differently than it has gone. I have enjoyed every moment with my crewmates, staff, and people met along the way. I am not sure that I will ever get an oppurtunity like this again. However, I do know one thing, Y.C.C is for me.

My name is Tylan Rudger and I am a 16 year old Youth Conservation Corps crew member of Kodiak, Alaska. My interests include fishing, hunting, and different activities, such as basketball and football.

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