YOLO: Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity

YOLO Program

SYRCL offers a FREE five-day summer science expedition in mid-June for local 9th-12th graders to engage in local climate action and watershed restoration efforts!

Surrounded by the gorgeous Sierra Mountains, you’ll get a chance to conduct hands-on field work and meadow restoration research.


You’ll be collecting the data needed to help answer some of California’s most pressing environmental questions!

You’ll also get a chance to connect with your teammates throughout the expedition, discuss important environmental justice issues, hone your leadership skills, and make new friends while exploring the beautiful landscapes that make up our North Yuba Watershed.

Student Qualifications

Applying students must be:

  • Bear and Yuba Watershed 9-12 grade students*
  • Available to attend and orientation and work 5 days in the summer
  • Be willing to work as part of a team.
  • Comfortable with physical work and hiking. 
  • Creative thinkers and motivated learners. 
  • Excited to work in a team dynamic with peers & local scientists. 

*Preference will be given to students from Nevada, Yuba, Placer, Sierra and other counties within the Yuba Watershed boundaries, but other students in the Central Valley region may still apply. 

YOLO Program Information

Latest Updates

Application & Itinerary YOLO 2022

Student Qualifications Bear and Yuba Watershed 9-12 grade students*Available to attend and orientation and work 5 days in the summer Be willing to work as part of a team.Comfortable with physical work and hiking. Creative thinkers and motivated learners. Excited to work in a…

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Apply for our Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO) Expedition, and, if you’re selected, you’ll spend a week on a fully funded research expedition studying meadows in Tahoe National Forest alongside environmental scientists and other students.

Many thanks to National Forest Foundation and National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) for making this opportunity possible!

We post updates and information about the Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity Program (and other programs) throughout the year on the website. Sign up for our newsletter to keep current on everything SYRCL!

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Questions? Contact Monique!

Monique Streit

Education Director

monique[at]yubariver.org
(530) 265-5961 ext. 218