Now Accepting Applications for SYRCL’s 2026 Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO)

An Immersive Field Science Expedition for High School Students

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) has opened the application for the Youth Outdoor Leadership Opportunity (YOLO) Expedition, a transformative, science-based outdoor leadership program for high school students. The 2026 expedition, taking place from June 22-25, offers a unique, hands-on learning experience in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, centered around ecological stewardship, climate education, and youth empowerment. 

Since its inception in 2014, SYRCL’s field science program has provided annual multi-day wilderness expeditions designed to connect youth with the natural world and engage them in meaningful scientific inquiry. In 2018, SYRCL launched the YOLO program to expand these opportunities, with a focus on meadow ecosystems—a vital component of the upper Yuba River watershed and a cornerstone of SYRCL’s ongoing restoration and climate resilience efforts. 

Students interested in environmental sciences are encouraged to apply! Under the mentorship of SYRCL’s experienced scientists and educators, participants actively contribute to ecological monitoring and restoration efforts. Each day, students engage in hands-on activities such as vegetation surveys, hydrological observations, and wildlife assessments, all while learning scientific protocols and data collection methods that directly support SYRCL’s conservation goals. 

However, YOLO is more than just a science program. It is a leadership development experience. Through team-building exercises, group discussions, and immersive time in nature, students deepen their understanding of environmental justice, climate science, and personal agency. They emerge not only with new skills and scientific knowledge but also with a stronger sense of self, connection to community, and commitment to environmental stewardship. 

SYRCL is currently recruiting high school students, including those graduating in 2026, who reside in the Yuba River watershed and are interested in environmental science, climate action, or leadership development. There is no cost to participate, thanks to generous funding provided by the National Forest Foundation. Students must be able to arrange transportation to and from the SYRCL office in Nevada City each day of the expedition. 

This opportunity is ideal for students seeking to build their college resumes, explore environmental careers, or simply spend meaningful time in nature while contributing to important regional restoration efforts. 

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

For more information and to apply click here