DEP Environmental Stewardship Program Participant

Boys & Girls Club of Garfield’s Environmental Stewardship Program Overview (2025)

Welcome to the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield’s Environmental Stewardship Program, part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) 2025 Youth Inclusion Initiative! This 6-week summer initiative is specifically designed for New Jersey high school students aged 16-18 who have a strong interest in environmental conservation, sustainability, and positively impacting their community.

About the Program: Participants will experience an immersive, hands-on program focused on environmental science, sustainability practices, and community leadership. You will participate in extensive outdoor fieldwork, attend site visits to environmental locations, collaborate on a meaningful community project, and benefit from career guidance and professional development workshops led by experts from the DEP and other environmental organizations.

Benefits:

• Professional Development: Enhance career readiness skills, including resume and cover letter creation, interviewing strategies, and effective communication.


• Hands-on Learning: Engage directly in fieldwork involving water resource management, waste reduction strategies, renewable energy practices, and more.


• Career Exploration: Gain insights into diverse career paths within environmental science and sustainability by interacting directly with industry professionals and DEP staff.


• Networking & Mentorship: Build lasting relationships with environmental professionals, community leaders, and dedicated mentors.


• Stipend: Receive monetary compensation in recognition of your commitment, consistent attendance, and active participation throughout the entire program.

Participant Commitments:

• Active Engagement: Attendance and active involvement in all scheduled activities, field trips, workshops, and projects is mandatory.


• Professionalism: Consistently demonstrate punctuality, responsibility, respectfulness, and a positive attitude toward peers, supervisors, and program staff.


• Collaboration: Effectively work within teams, communicate clearly, contribute meaningfully to group activities, and support your fellow participants.


• Code of Conduct: Strictly adhere to the DEP and BGCG Codes of Conduct. Any form of bullying, discriminatory behavior, substance use, or disrespectful behavior will result in immediate dismissal from the program.


• Consent for Media: Agree to be photographed, videotaped, or featured on social media and other promotional materials for the duration of the program.


• Physical Preparedness: Be prepared for physically demanding work, including up to 8-hour days spent primarily outdoors with limited breaks, in varying weather conditions.

Program Schedule:

• Duration: 6 weeks, Early July to Mid-August 2025


• Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  
  
  
  • Mondays: Community project work at BGCG facilities and local sites
  
  
  • Tuesdays to Thursdays: Extensive field visits, outdoor activities, and environmental education sessions
  
  
  • Fridays: Professional development workshops and career-skills training
  
  
  
  

Transportation & Meals:

• Transportation: Provided daily by BGCG to and from all sites and activities.


• Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily for the entire duration of the program.

Community Project: Participants will:

• Collaboratively identify and develop a meaningful community project that positively impacts local environmental sustainability.


• Work closely with BGCG supervisors, DEP professionals, the Department of Public Works (DPW), and other partner organizations to plan and implement your project.


• Prepare and deliver a comprehensive final presentation to community stakeholders, sharing your project's impact and outcomes.

Apply Today: Become a part of this exceptional opportunity to develop your skills, explore environmental careers, and positively impact your community and the environment.

For questions or more information, please contact Laura Camarena, Associate Executive Director, at [email protected].

More Info About the Community Project:

While your community project pitch will not be a determining factor in our selection of participants, all accepted participants will share their initial project proposals with the entire team. Together, as a group of at least 10 participants, you'll review, discuss, and collectively decide on the final community project to pursue.

Participants will collaborate closely with the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield (BGCG), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Department of Public Works (DPW) for guidance and resources. However, the group must reach a consensus on the final project and how to carry it out effectively. You'll have a $5,000 budget to fully utilize for purchasing materials, supplies, and covering other project expenses.

Community Project Details:

Project Focus:
The project must specifically address environmental conservation or sustainability issues within Garfield. Examples include community gardens, composting initiatives, recycling drives, rain gardens, stormwater management, or local cleanups.

Planning and Collaboration:
Participants will collaboratively plan the project, requiring active teamwork, effective communication, and consensus-building. They will receive support from BGCG staff, DEP professionals, and city partners.

Implementation Responsibilities:
Participants will be directly responsible for implementing their project from start to finish. This includes adhering to schedules, requesting materials in a timely fashion, spearheading community engagement, conducting educational workshops with elementary-aged participants, and physically completing the project.

Timeline:

This community project will take place exclusively on Mondays over the course of the 6-week program. Participants must ensure the entire project, from initial research and preparation to execution and the final presentations, is completed within 5 working days (Mondays only).

Budget Management:
Participants will work within a provided project budget of $5,000 and must manage resources responsibly, ensuring project feasibility and sustainability.

Community Education and Outreach:
Participants will be expected to lead educational sessions and community outreach efforts to share project objectives, progress, and results with Garfield residents and younger BGCG members.

Final Presentation:
A comprehensive final presentation summarizing the project's purpose, implementation process, community impact, and lessons learned will be required. Participants will deliver this presentation to local stakeholders, including DEP officials, BGCG leadership, community members, and possibly city officials.

Physical Expectations:
Please be aware that this project will be physically demanding, requiring up to 8-hour days spent primarily outdoors, often with minimal breaks and varying weather conditions.