Engaged Community
Youth Tree Team
Program Overview
When the Youth Tree Team™ (YTT) started, it was all about taking care of the trees. But taking care of the people who take care of the trees is just as important. Our seven-week summer job program for teens and young adults is one part improving the community through tree care, one part work readiness training, and all parts the best way to spend a summer.
KIB could not plant the number of trees we do each year (around 3,000!) without the Youth Tree Team. Newly planted trees need 15 gallons of water a week to survive, and annual mulching keeps weed competition down and moisture levels up. With hot Indiana summers, we rely on YTT to help our trees survive and thrive.
Program Details
Youth Tree Team Commitment
- Candidates must possess the following characteristics: initiative, professionalism, respect, interest in the environment, pride in your work, responsibility, and the ability to work with a team.
- YTT members must commit to not missing more than 8 days of the 7-week program.
- Primary duties include watering, mulching, and staking trees. Duties also include weeding, picking up litter, heavy lifting, filling out work logs, and completing other duties as assigned.
- Candidates are expected to carry one or two 40-pound buckets of water while walking several hundred feet
Along with daily work, YTT employees have weekly enrichment activities, including hiking, tree ID, financial literacy, and learning from community partners around Indianapolis.
Job Readiness Training
Getting our high school employees ready for future jobs is important to us. As part of summer employment, we provide job readiness training to all our youth, prioritizing weekly enrichment opportunities, lunch presentations, and mid- and end-of-season evaluations.
YTT Participant (Youth)
- Must currently be enrolled in high school AND must be at least 14 years old by June 4, 2026.
- $13/hour
- 20 hours/week (Monday-Thursday, 8AM – 1PM)
- Free lunch each workday
- Personal development enrichments each week
Applications will open Monday, February 2. Please check back then to apply!
YTT Leader (Age 19 and Up)
- $17/hour
- 30-40 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
- Free lunch each student workday
- Leadership development trainings and enrichments
- May fulfill internship requirements
Testimonials
“My experience with the Youth Tree Team this summer was nothing short of incredible. I learned so much about leadership, teamwork, youth development, native Indiana plants and the city as a whole.”
“This summer, I spent my days not just doing tree ID, fieldwork, and sustainable development tasks, but helping tomorrow’s leaders become confident in themselves, learn to love nature, and teaching them the importance of giving back.”
“I really liked meeting new people from all different backgrounds who live in my same city and getting job experience.”
“Getting to know new people…got me out of my comfort zone and gave me new leadership skills I will definitely carry on with me throughout life.”