Youth Employment
The youth employment program, which earned the Rural Development Initiative 2004 Award of Excellence, is the signature program for ECEC.
Each summer 14-18 year old area youth are offered the opportunity to apply, be interviewed and be hired. From 10-16 students guide tours, cater luncheons, maintain gardens, raise butterflies through the life cycle, propagate and sell native Oregon plants, conduct research projects, run an espresso shop and cafe, learn marketing skills in the gift shop, learn leadership skills and work with mentors. As the replication of Fort Umpqua progresses, opportunities for student to assist in historical character interpretation and act as tour guides in a historical setting increase.
Students earn a generous wage in addition to developing their skills in communication, enterprise, management, leadership and employment readiness.
The ECEC season is based on the availability of student employees, so opening day is Memorial Day and closing is Labor Day weekend. Occasional closures may result from ECEC's all volunteer staffing.
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