2025 Forest Preserve Experience

All crew members must be a Housing Authority of Cook County resident or voucher holder living in the south suburbs. Students must be 14-19 years old by program start and enrolled in high school or be a 2025 high school graduate.

If you qualify, you will be contacted by the Housing Authority of Cook County with application materials in early March. The application will close on April 30th.

Applications must be submitted electronically by April 30th. Late applications will not be accepted, no exceptions.

The program will run from June 30 to August 1, with July 4 off, unpaid. Crew members will work Monday through Friday. They will work 25 hours per week and receive a wage of $15 per hour. If a crew member misses more than three days of work, they will automatically be dismissed from the program and will forfeit the remaining pay. There are no exceptions for family vacations or summer school. Crew members will meet at their designated pick-up locations Monday – Friday by 7:45 am and will be dropped off at the same location at 1:00 pm. There must be flexibility in drop off and pick up times. Some days may start or end later than our regular schedule. You will be provided a calendar at the beginning of the program showing any changes in the regular program timing.

Students will spend three orientation days learning job skills that will prepare them for the program and give them skills that they can use in the future. They then engage in rewarding and valuable physical work outdoors on conservation and restoration projects in the Forest Preserves of Cook County including invasive species removal and litter clean-ups. Throughout each week, time will be devoted to learning about the local ecology and environment and job readiness skills, and students will participate in a number of environmental enrichment activities, such as field trips, visiting a nature center, canoeing, and other recreational opportunities. Once a student is hired, they will usually be placed at the forest preserve work site that is closest to their home.

We highly encourage you to spend time thinking about and answering the interview questions about why you want to work in the forest preserves and how you will be a good team member. If you are able to, consider visiting or volunteering at a local forest preserve or nature center to learn more about the work and setting of the program. We receive hundreds of applications, and select students who are excited about working in the forest preserves, interested in helping our environment, and committed to giving their best effort in performing job responsibilities.

To find out more about volunteering visit https://fpdcc.com/volunteer/

Students will have a lot of support from various program and partner staff this summer. They will be with the same adult crew leaders and assistant crew leader for the summer, who will be there leading and working alongside them. We will also have a Career Readiness Coach/HR Generalist providing professional development learning opportunities over the summer to help prepare the members for future career opportunities and to help with all HR needs. In addition, we have four Program Assistants roving around to different crews each day providing any necessary support to leaders and members. The Program Manager and Coordinator will be present all summer managing the program, working with the crews and will be available for any of the participants’ needs. Below is a list of all adult Friends’ staff for the FPE Program.

• 1 Program Manager
• 1 Program Coordinator
• 4 Program Assistants
• 1 Associate Director of Human Resources
• 2 Crew Leaders per crew
• 1 Assistant Crew Leaders per crew

For more information, please contact:

Joy Bailey
Youth and Engagement Corps Manager
Friends of the Forest Preserves
[email protected]