farming, leadership, teamwork.
Youth Corps
ages 15 - 18 (our youngest students are at least 15 years and 10 months by July 1, 2025)
Youth Corps is a two-week summer leadership program for older students ready to take on new levels of independence and responsibility at the farm. Participants work on farm projects, train with senior staff, and mentor younger students. Candidates for the program are young adults, at least fifteen years and ten months, who are ready to take on hard jobs, follow through on commitments, and work in a supportive team of like-minded farmers. Youth Corps graduates leave with knowledge and experiences that will help them in their future endeavors on and off the farm.
What does Youth Corps do?
Advance their Farm Skills: Youth Corps takes on a wide-variety of farming responsibilities: animal husbandry, carpentry and maintenance, work in the garden, cooking and cleaning, and other chores or projects that sustain the farm. Members participate in training blocks with knowledgeable staff, followed by hands-on projects where they put their new skills to use. The combination of training and meaningful farm work helps Youth Corps members build independence and confidence they can take with them throughout life.
Develop as Mentors: Youth Corps members are important role models for our younger students. Youth Corps shadows farm staff during select projects and activities with younger students and practices leadership roles in those same settings. Throughout, Youth Corps members participate in discussions with staff about what it means to be a mentor and how to help foster kindness, hard work, and independence in young students.
Build Independence: Youth Corps members develop life skills: time management, communication, adaptability, and problem solving. Students live and work in a residential setting, are responsible for being on time and ready each day, and are entrusted with leadership roles. This new level of responsibility is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the program. Youth Corps graduates report their experience helped them prepare for college and life beyond the farm.
Grow their Work Ethic: At Red Gate Farm, we believe that when young people take on difficult or hard work, they build confidence and grow as teammates and individuals. We ask Youth Corps to take on challenging projects and tasks that give them opportunities to push themselves. We maintain high expectations throughout. We want Youth Corps members to take pride in their work and see the importance of a job well done. Not all of the tasks require advanced skills or training. Members will spend some time each day helping with farm chores like washing dishes, raking, and taking out the trash. This work is just as critical to the farm as herding sheep or harvesting in the garden and we ask Youth Corps members to approach it with the same dedication and attention to detail.
Have Fun! Youth Corps blends hard work with the fun and adventure of our summer programs! Members get the chance to go on special trips, participate in program activities, and have plenty of free time to explore the farm and hang out with their team. We work hard and we play hard!
What is the Tuition for Youth Corps?
Tuition for Youth Corps is similar to our two week overnight program. As with all our summer programs, financial aid is available.
Youth Corps is a hybrid role, designed to help young adults develop work skills and build confidence by offering them training and experience. Members test out new levels of responsibility and independence in a supportive environment with dedicated staff to help them along the way. Youth Corps members are not counselors or staff, but their experience in the program will help them develop many of the critical skills necessary for these roles if they choose to pursue them in the future.
Want to learn more? We would love to talk with you! Contact our registration team by emailing registration@redgatefarm.org or calling the Farm Office (413) 625-9503.
