Building the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
What is the Green Team Summer Apprenticeship?
The Green Team Youth Corps is a year-round program for urban core teens that connects them to nature while empowering them as advocates for themselves, their city and the environment. The Apprenticeship is our 7-week paid summer program, and is complimented by our school-year Fellowship program and other year-round activities. During the Apprenticeship, 20 youth work together to complete various community-based projects that support the mission of Groundwork Jacksonville and engage with natural places and community organizations. Apprentices build inspiration, marketable skills, and valuable connections that they can take to their next steps in their aspirations. Green Team apprentices’ summer projects move forward the mission of Groundwork Jacksonville to create access to healthy green spaces and wellbeing for all communities in Jacksonville.
Introducing the 2023 Summer Apprenticeship -- Apply today!
Groundwork Jacksonville is recruiting new Green Team members who will serve with us for the 2023 Summer Apprenticeship. If you are a teen aged 13-18 who lives, attend school or a place of worship in Jacksonville’s urban core (zip codes 32202, 32204, 32206, 32208, 32209 and 32254), this is your chance for a meaningful summer of leadership, exploration, and community-building! Our Apprentices earn an educational stipend, service hours, and access to continuing education and career opportunities within the Green Team and Groundwork network. Apply by our deadline of Sunday, April 30– you can find an application link alongside dates and key details at the bottom of this page.
The 2023 Apprenticeship runs for 7 weeks from Friday June 9 to Saturday July 29. Apprentices will work for two days a week with a smaller cohort of 9-10 youth and then come together on Fridays and most Saturdays for shared activities. The Green Team Summer Apprenticeship includes an immersive mix of Play, Work, Learn and Serve activities and projects. Work projects this summer will include (but not be limited to) hands-on work building and maintaining urban trails and gardens and leading educational activities for children and community members at local parks. We will also go on meaningful and fun field trips to unique natural areas such as paddling Talbot Island, fishing in Dutton Island, tubing the Ichetucknee River, and hikes in forests with rangers. Educational workshops range from financial literacy to art to advocacy training.
Past Green Team Apprenticeships
Explore what your summer with Green Team could look like with some of our photos from past Green Team Apprenticeships, and a video from our 2017 Apprenticeship.
Green Team Principles
Neighborhood Connectivity
Connecting residents of urban neighborhoods to the wild in their backyard
S.T.E.A.M
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math principle learning and career exposure
Leadership Development
Serve as ambassadors to the community and lead meaningful change
Environmental Empathy
Fostering environmental stewardship through environmental projects, learning, and play.
Nominate a Youth
Youth thrive when you shine a light on them. You can do this by nominating a youth 13-18 who lives, attends school or a place of worship in zip codes 32202, 32204, 32206, 32208, 32209, and 32254. By nominating a youth in your neighborhood you ensure your nominee(s) know that you believe in his or her capacity to contribute positively to your community.
What does a candidate for the Green Team look like? Green Team candidates are already leaders or you've seen in them the potential to be leaders. Here are a few other characteristics of potential nominee(s):
- They care about their friends, family, and communities.
- They are active in their school, community, or church.
- They may have started their own club or group for a hobby or interest.
- They complete assigned school work and tasks.
- They are eager to learn.
What is your role as a nominator? You are the touchstone for your nominee as well as a cheerleader and compassionate supporter. Groundwork Jacksonville staff are available for any questions concerning the program, application, and interview process, but we hope that your nominee can look to you for additional guidance concerning their application and interview preparations. Additionally, nominees may simply feel more comfortable contacting a trusted and familiar source. For some nominated youth, this may be their first time completing an application or being interviewed. This time has the potential to be an exciting as well as challenging moment for your nominee(s). To be clear you will not be completing their application for them, but ushering them through this process so that they can find their own way to the end.
Are you a youth who wants to ask someone to nominate you? Download the "Letter to the Nominator" to give your mentor an better understanding of what they are being asked to do.
Program Timeline
Sunday, April 23, 2023: Application deadline for returning Green Team members
Sunday, April 30: Application deadline for new Green Team members
April 17 - May 8: Interviews for new Apprentices
Thursday May 11: Final date new Apprentices will be notified of decisions (applicants who apply earlier may hear back earlier)
Thursday, June 8 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm: Evening information sessions (at least one parent/guardian must attend)
Friday, June 9: 2023 Green Team Apprenticeship begins
Monday July 19: Juneteenth Holiday (no programming)
Tuesday July 4 : 4th of July Holiday (no programming)
Saturday, July 29: Green Team apprenticeship celebration
Mon July 31 - Friday Aug 4: “Next Steps” follow-up week for leadership positions
Work Schedule
Work day - 7:15 AM to 3:00 PM
Cohort A
Youth in Cohort A will work on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and most Saturdays.
Cohort B
Youth in Cohort B will work on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and most Saturdays.Total hours/ week = about 28
Stipend Pay Scale
Stipend Pay Scale for the 2023 Summer Apprenticeship
First Year Apprentices = $825
Second Year apprentices = $1000
Third + Year apprentices = $1300
Submit your 2023 Summer Apprenticeship application here! The deadline is April 23rd for Returning Green Team Members and April 30th for new Green Team Members.
For more information or questions, contact Oscar Eilitta Psychas, Youth Program Manager, oscar@groundworkjacksonville.org