ID: A black and white picture of five people standing in a circle. They appear to be looking at something in the middle. They are standing in an opening with some trees around. The sky is cloudy. In white text on top: “Conservation Corps Alumni Panel” In yellow text below that: “February 23rd | 8pm EST | RVSP for Zoom Link.” In white text at bottom: “CorpsTHAT’s Webinar Series Spotlighting the Deaf Experience inn the Outdoors.”

Are you looking to do something different, something memorable, or a life changing experience this summer? Have you always been intrigued by the conservation corps? Do you want an excuse to be in the mountains all summer? If you’ve answered yes to all the above or just want to learn more about the conservation corps experience, RSVP to our third virtual panel of conservation corps alumni. These alumni will share their experiences working in the conservation corps. You will get the chance to ask questions and receive guidance on how to apply to work with the conservation corps and what career path options there are for after the corps experience.

Job seekers, VR/Transition Counselors, Educators, Parents, and Community members welcomed to attend. After this panel, we will be sharing details about our CorpsTHAT Conservation Crew as well as other programs throughout the country this summer.

Panelists:

Mara Land [they/them]- CorpsTHAT & CCM

I was a crew member for CorpsTHAT‘s first conservation crew the summer of 2021. I quickly fell in love with my crew and the job. The summer of 2022 I decided to work as a crew leader for Conservation Corp Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) on their ASL wilderness crew, where myself and my two co-leaders led our five youth members on Isle Royale National Park for five weeks. I plan to work again as a crew leader or operations coordinator for CCMI again this summer. I am currently a junior at Gallaudet majoring in Communications Studies, and when I’m not doing homework or working as a tutor, I’m outdoors exploring DC. I plan to use my degree in communications to further my career in conservation, as this has become one of my biggest passions.

Ankita Gopal [she/her]- CorpsTHAT 

My name is Ankita Gopal. I worked as a crew member with CorpsTHAT during the summer of 2022 in Texas. I am now a Gallaudet university student majoring in Risk Management and Insurance. I do remember what I learned. I would use most of the skills that I learned by teaching my dad and especially my brothers who are still young and love being outdoors special in the summer. My favorite thing about being crew members is when we cut down bamboo trees.

Maria Stull Escobar [she/her]- CorpsTHAT & SWCC

My name is Maria Stull Escobar and I am 24 years old. I worked as a crew leader with Karina Baker during the summer of 2022 in Vermont. After working with CorpsTHAT, they inspired me to branch out and work with another conservation organization- Southwest Conservation Corps in NM and CO for the fall season of 2022. I am currently working as an outdoor educator intern at Visiting Students Program at Hawthorne Valley for next 5 months!

Ivy Chow [she/her]- SECC

My name is Ivy Chow. I am from Boston, MA, born and raised. I am very curious, fun to be around and enjoy going on adventures whenever the opportunity is out there. take advantage of it. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions and I am happy to answer. I was involved with the Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) in Chattanooga, TN – ASLi in 2021 in both sessions, 3 weeks each. I’m currently working at Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HMSD) where I graduated back then in 2017. I’m working as a paraprofessional, a head coach of a girls basketball team, 2 sides of part-time jobs. I still plan to take the EMS courses that are upcoming soon.

Karina Baker [she/her]- CorpsTHAT

Like many of the passionate change-makers in CorpsTHAT, Karina is an avid environmentalist and a lover of the outdoors. She grew up hiking and camping in Catalina Island, Leo Carrillo State Beach, and many other areas that warm her heart to this day. Her experiences ignited a passion for preserving green spaces for all inhabitants on Earth to enjoy. In the Summer of 2022, Karina joined CorpsTHAT as a Crew Leader for their Vermont project. She is finishing up her Master’s degrees in Public Administration and International Development with a specialization in environmental justice. To fulfill the final requirements of her degrees, Karina is currently interning in Viet Nam with PARD, supporting the capacity building of the local Deaf community and spreading awareness about environmental issues.

RSVP at the bottom of this page to get zoom link access! We hope to see you there.

Interpreters from Trail Blazing Interpreting Agency  will be provided for this webinar and are sponsored by Conservation Corps of Minnesota Summer Youth Program