CorpsTHAT Partner Crew- PAOC
Program Year: 2022
Partner Organization: Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
Project Partners: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Student Conservation Corps
Program Dates: Crew 1- 7/6 – 7/ 23; Crew 2- 7/26 – 8/13
Leader(s): Tay Gonzalez and Andrew Ramirez
Ages of Corps Member: 16-19
This was the second year CorpsTHAT partnered with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps to create an ASL Inclusion (ASLi) Crew for Deaf highschool students in Pennsylvania. PAOC is made up of a partnership between the Student Conservation Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Working with PAOC, CorpsTHAT connected with different Deaf schools and programs within Pennsylvania and 6 Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth were hired for two crews during the summer. This year, CorpsTHAT worked closely with PAOC to make this crew a camping crew, which meant while working for PAOC, corps members camped near their project sites for a total of 3 weeks. This enabled us to reach Deaf youth across the state of PA and the crew got to learn camping skills, do local recreation trips on the weekend including caving, biking, canoeing and hiking. Youth members worked hard, gained new skills and everyone left with a new appreciation of Pennsylvania’s outdoor spaces.
Project Accomplishments
- 8 members hired
- Trail corridor improved
- 1 Firewood shelter build
- Landscaping improvement
- 1 historic cabin preservation efforts
- 48 hours of education provided
- 36 hours of outdoor recreation provided
CorpsTHAT Provided:
Crew Leader Training
Provided a two week in person training for the Crew Leaders and supported a week of virtual training. During training, CorpsTHAT provided direct communication, leadership and educational training that was tailored to fit the needs of Deaf leaders and members as well as technical field training.
Providing Qualified Outdoor Interpreters
Working with Trailblazing Interpreters to provide interpreters for Project Contact meetings, training and debriefs on site and at the office.
Recruitment
Hosting presentations at area schools virtual and hosting job opportunity webinars. Sitting in on interviews to provide direct communication as well as feedback in hiring.
Programmatic SupportÂ
Training staff and project contacts, debrief with staff, and available to answer any questions or concerns. provided ongoing education and knowledge share of the Deaf community and working with Deaf individuals.
This crew was made possible thanks to the partnership between
