National Forest Association Fire Lookouts

New Volunteers Welcome!

The Children’s Forest Youth Leadership Program provides youth between the ages of 11 and 17 the opportunity to take an active role in public land stewardship. By joining the Youth Leadership Program, children become volunteers dedicated to providing public education, making decisions about land management, and participating in various hands–on projects. We are always looking for new youth volunteers as well as adult partners to serve as mentors!

Youth Leadership Teams

Youth volunteers join different teams when they become a Children’s Forest Youth Leader, which enables them to pursue their individual interests while working toward community goals.

Youth Hosts

These Youth Leaders staff the Children’s Forest Visitor Information Center (the only one in the nation staffed by youth), welcoming guests, providing information, and encouraging responsible recreation.
Campfire Naturalists
Members of this team are widely recognized as the "event of the evening" at local resorts and campgrounds. They present slideshows, skits, interactive games and songs, and other activities that entertain and educate visitors about the forest.

Field Naturalists
Our field naturalists guide interpretive hikes on the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail and our new Exploration Trail, teaching visitors about the plants and animals in the forest and the history of the area.

Youth Foresters
This group of Youth Leaders participate in hands–on forestry projects. Activities include erosion control projects, forest restoration projects, and greenhouse and tree nursery maintenance. Youth on this team become involved in the "core" of land management and have opportunities to create and make decisions about land management.

Community Mentors
These youth present at events and create publications that educate about the forest.

Youth Trail Crew
This crew is responsible for patrolling and maintaining our Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail and the Children’s Forest Exploration Trail. These youth will get their hands dirty fixing and maintaining trails while helping trail users learn how to recreate responsibly on our public lands.

Recent Youth Leadership Program Accomplishments

2005 Feast of the Harvest Moon drew people from as far away as three hours to take part in this year’s event. There were Native American entertainers, a storyteller, frybread, and most importantly, interpretive booths designed and manned by our Youth Leaders.
In FY 2005, our youth and adult volunteers contributed over 4830.5 hours. 13In September of 2005, the Children’s Forest Exploration Trail opened. It is a 4.5 mile hike from near the Visitor Information Center to the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trailhead. This trail was designed by local high school students and was built by a community.
During the 2005 Slideshow season, our Youth Leaders presented slideshows about astronomy and forest stewardship to over 2,000 campers and Lake Arrowhead Resort guests.
Youth Leaders have helped plant trees to reforest burned areas and at erosion control projects at multiple sites in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Awards and Recognition

American Youth Award from PLANET (2001)
Nominated by the Rim of the World Unified School District for the Golden Bell Award, which is a California School Board Association award designed to recognize exemplary educational programs for children (2003)
Running Springs Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award (2004)
Nominated for Running Springs Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award (2005)
California Federation of Women’s Club Award in recognition for the good work that the Great Seeds Native Plant Restoration Program has done (2005)
Nominated for the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm National Environmental Excellence Award (2005)

For More Information

For information on becoming a volunteer or to become a sponsor for this program, please contact:

Children’s Forest Volunteer Coordinator
P.O. Box 350
Skyforest, CA 92385
(909) 382–2777


	HOME The Place Conservation Education Youth Leadership Partners Seedlings of Hope New Volunteers Welcome! The Children’s Forest Youth Leadership Program provides youth between the ages of 11 and 17 the opportunity to take an active role in public land stewardship. By joining the Youth Leadership Program, children become volunteers dedicated to providing public education, making decisions about land management, and participating in various hands–on projects. We are always looking for new youth volunteers as well as adult partners to serve as mentors! Youth Leadership Teams Youth volunteers join different teams when they become a Children’s Forest Youth Leader, which enables them to pursue their individual interests while working toward community goals. Youth Hosts These Youth Leaders staff the Children’s Forest Visitor Information Center (the only one in the nation staffed by youth), welcoming guests, providing information, and encouraging responsible recreation. Campfire Naturalists Members of this team are widely recognized as the "event of the evening" at local resorts and campgrounds. They present slideshows, skits, interactive games and songs, and other activities that entertain and educate visitors about the forest. Field Naturalists Our field naturalists guide interpretive hikes on the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail and our new Exploration Trail, teaching visitors about the plants and animals in the forest and the history of the area. Youth Foresters This group of Youth Leaders participate in hands–on forestry projects. Activities include erosion control projects, forest restoration projects, and greenhouse and tree nursery maintenance. Youth on this team become involved in the "core" of land management and have opportunities to create and make decisions about land management. Community Mentors These youth present at events and create publications that educate about the forest. Youth Trail Crew This crew is responsible for patrolling and maintaining our Children’s Forest Interpretive Trail and the Children’s Forest Exploration Trail. These youth will get their hands dirty fixing and maintaining trails while helping trail users learn how to recreate responsibly on our public lands. Recent Youth Leadership Program Accomplishments 2005 Feast of the Harvest Moon drew people from as far away as three hours to take part in this year’s event. There were Native American entertainers, a storyteller, frybread, and most importantly, interpretive booths designed and manned by our Youth Leaders. In FY 2005, our youth and adult volunteers contributed over 4830.5 hours. 13In September of 2005, the Children’s Forest Exploration Trail opened. It is a 4.5 mile hike from near the Visitor Information Center to the Children’s Forest Interpretive Trailhead. This trail was designed by local high school students and was built by a community. During the 2005 Slideshow season, our Youth Leaders presented slideshows about astronomy and forest stewardship to over 2,000 campers and Lake Arrowhead Resort guests. Youth Leaders have helped plant trees to reforest burned areas and at erosion control projects at multiple sites in the San Bernardino Mountains. Awards and Recognition American Youth Award from PLANET (2001) Nominated by the Rim of the World Unified School District for the Golden Bell Award, which is a California School Board Association award designed to recognize exemplary educational programs for children (2003) Running Springs Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award (2004) Nominated for Running Springs Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award (2005) California Federation of Women’s Club Award in recognition for the good work that the Great Seeds Native Plant Restoration Program has done (2005) Nominated for the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm National Environmental Excellence Award (2005) For More Information For information on becoming a volunteer or to become a sponsor for this program, please contact: Children’s Forest Volunteer Coordinator P.O. Box 350 Skyforest, CA 92385 (909) 382–2777