Summer Youth Program
PREVIOUS YEARS
About GCYP: Ecosystem
GCYP: Ecosystem is a 6-week summer employment program that exposes youth ages 16-19 to careers and service projects in sustainability related to bicycling and horticulture.
While GCYP: Ecosystem is not running in 2025, we’re excited to launch a new pilot program this year: GCYP: Seed—building on the strengths of Ecosystem with a fresh approach.
Transformative Program Goals
Skill Acquisition and Career Pathways
Increase exposure to and awareness of environmental opportunities through bicycle safety and maintenance experience and community-based STEAM projects.
Youth Empowerment and Identity Development
Increase sense of identity and agency to self, community, and the natural world.
Civic & Community Engagement
Empower youth to engage positively in their community and daily civic life.
Experiential Learning Curriculum Approach
Sustainability Program Content Overview
- Bike technical skills & safe city cycling
- Gardening & urban agriculture
- Plant science
- Ecosystems & ecological restoration
- Urban forestry
- Nutrition & food systems
- Career readiness & pathway exploration
Positive Youth Outcomes
- Developed bicycle technical skills
- Practiced life and work readiness skills
- Built identity and agency within the environmental field
- Realized the importance of caring for their community through active participation
- Achieved a sense of belonging contributing to improved mental and physical well-being
…and had a lot of fun along the way!
YOUTH VOICE
In the end of program survey, 90% of youth participants would recommend or highly recommend this program to a friend.
This program pushes you to help your community, and you get fit with bike rides and the hard labor!
-Solorio Youth
It was fun and I learned new things while getting paid!
-Orr Youth
I had fun! I met new people and had great times with my peers. Working on the farm was the best part.
-Richards Youth