FINGER LAKES STATE PARK, COLUMBIA, MO – Normally, this crew would be in the woods and armed with shovels, picks, axes and rakes, hacking away at the brush and earth. Foot by foot, they’d be advancing on their most ambitious project – the creation of a four mile bicycle trail. But nature isn’t cooperating today. The rain has now slowed to a steady drizzle, but, less than an hour ago, it fairly dumped from the black sheet of clouds overhead. It was a real “toad strangler,” compelling the three young men to work on an alternate job for the day.

They fit the planks together carefully and tap them into place with jabs of their palms. They work for the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), a program which offers temporary, summer employment to people ages 17 to 24. Although he’d rather be working outside, to Lopez, 17, flooring still nets a paycheck.

“Its full time,” said Lopez, explaining his motivation for joining SPYC. “And it’s outdoors, except for days like this. I thought it’d be interesting, hard work… I’d rather do this than sit in an office or work fast food.”

SPYC is operated at Finger Lakes by the Central Missouri Community Action agency. Implemented by Missouri’s local Workforce Investment Boards in association with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and Department of Natural Resources, SPYC will offer nearly 1,000 jobs to those who qualify by income. SPYC was designed to provide employment, job training, and inspiration to Missouri’s young people. The program, initiated by Governor Jay Nixon in February, wants participants to “Think Outside” by preserving and enhancing natural resources at Missouri’s 85 state parks and historic sites. SPYC members are working at everything from web design to trail maintenance. For Lopez, who is working on a GED as well, the experience has deepened his value of the park.

“I didn’t realize how hard the people work to keep the parks clean. I respect the parks more now,” he said, and grinned. “I find myself telling my friends to keep their trash picked up if they want to come to the park.”

The young men are part of the Trail Building and Maintenance crew. Their daily duties include clearing litter, maintaining campsites, and weed eating in addition to other tasks. Dan Couch, Park Maintenance Worker III and supervisor of SPYC at Finger Lakes, said the boost of labor SPYC provided allowed the park to work on special projects, such as the bicycle trail. Couch said the trail (designed in conjunction with the Osage Regional Trail Association) is being constructed by low impact methods. Heavy machinery is not used, only hand tools and muscle, and it’s a tough job. Couch has nothing but praise for the people on his crew, but admits he was skeptical of SPYC at first. As a building contractor for 14 years, he’s hired summer help before and was worried he and the park staff would wind up babysitting.

“I’ve worked with high school kids and college kids and most of the time what you get is a lot of standing around talking about the weekend,” he said. “This is a good group. It helps that they really want to be here. They’re really working hard.”

Lowry, 22, currently lives in Columbia and is finishing a degree at Mizzou in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. He read about SPYC in a school wide e-mail. Lowry intends to become a conservation agent, and figured this would be good experience to add to his resume as well as extra income during a school break.

“It’s a perfect job for the summer,” said Lowry. “I like it a lot. It’s good exercise and it’s outdoors.”
Eighteen year old Nachbar of Columbia also heard of SPYC through school. He applied online and is particularly glad to work at Finger Lakes because it’s close to his home. He said SPYC is a good fit for him because he enjoys hunting and fishing.

“It goes along with my hobbies,” smiled Nachbar, who plans on eventually joining the military. “I like the outdoor experience.”

There are still openings in SPYC. Interested applicants should contact a local Missouri Career Center.

Story and photos by Joe Hawkins, Journalist/Grant Writer for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board.