Greenwich Youth Conservation Program Celebrates 45th Anniversary

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Youth Conservation Program celebrated its 45th anniversary Tuesday with a ceremony at Tod's Point attended by First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, teen participants and others.

The program is a unique public-private "earn and learn" initiative that offers Greenwich teens ages 14-15 a first-job opportunity planting trees and performing conservation work in our town’s green spaces. It is managed by the Town Parks and Human Services departments, and each participant receives a stipend provided by donations from Greenwich families, local businesses and sponsors.

Camillo proclaimed today to be "Greenwich Youth Conservation Program Day," and noted how much the GYCP has grown since it launched as a small pilot project in 1978.

For each of the last 10 summers, GYCP has given 112 teens the opportunity for summer work, and since 1978, more than 3,600 teens have participated. Camillo noted that the GYCP
contributes significantly to conservation work in Greenwich’s parks and nature preserves, planting 100 trees throughout town last year alone.

From the program's release:

Two longtime members of the Friends of the Greenwich Youth Conservation Program, which
helps raise funds for the stipends among other activities, were recognized for 45 years of
volunteer service – Mary G. Hull and Frank E. Smurlo, Jr. Mrs. Hull and Mr. Smurlo thanked the
teens for working to improve the town’s environment and expressed that the teamwork and
other skills they are learning will benefit them far beyond their time with the GYCP.

A stint with the GYCP is highly sought after, with 100 or more teens on the wait list most
summers. Participants come from all Greenwich neighborhoods and from public and private
schools. “The learning starts when the teens fill out their applications and have their interviews
and continues as they work with their supervisors and a diverse group of peers,” said Program
Administrator Christina Nappi. Afternoons also include skills training on topics such as resume
writing, budgeting and teen decision-making, plus talks with conservation specialists.
“Teens who find summer work reap both immediate benefits and skills they can use for future
employment,” Mrs. Nappi says. “And we all enjoy a more beautiful Greenwich because of their
hard work.”

For more information or to support the GYCP, please contact Christina Nappi at
Christina.Nappi@Greenwichct.org or (203) 622-7792.