Engaged Citizens
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 (over 3,000!) without the Youth Tree Team. Newly planted trees need 15 gallons of water a week to survive. 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 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, learning financial management skills, 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.
YTT Participant (Youth)
- Must currently be enrolled in high school AND must be at least 14 years old by June 2, 2025
- $13/hour
- 20 hours/week (Monday-Thursday, 8AM – 1PM)
- Free lunch each workday
- Personal development enrichments each week
YTT Leader (Age 19 and Up)
- $17/hour
- 30-40 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
- Free lunch each workday
- Leadership development trainings and enrichments
- May fulfill internship requirements