P-CREW Alumini Network
Our Alumni in Action
Our student participants have gone on to achieve incredible things, attending prestigious universities and contributing to meaningful work. Alumni have pursued higher education at institutions such as California State Universities, Universities of California System, University of Arizona, Macalester College, and Southern Oregon University, among many others.
Many have also joined community colleges like Feather River, Contra Costa, Berkeley, and Butte, furthering their education locally before reaching new heights. Some have even served their country in the Navy and Air Force.
Beyond academics, our alumni have taken on impactful summer jobs, from leadership roles at summer camps and wildlife internships with the Forest Service to fire crews and conservation programs like Amigos de las Américas and the Student Conservation Association. Many have returned to fill leadership, seasonal restoration technician, resource specialist roles with Sierra Institute!
Our alumni continue to follow their passions, making waves in their communities and beyond!
Diverse by Design
Since 2015, P-CREW has engaged 301 young people across 24 crews—and we’re proud that our program reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. Over 9 years, we’ve built pathways into natural resource careers for youth from all walks of life.
Ethnic Representation
More than 45% of P-CREW participants identify as youth of color. Our crews have included:
- 11.3% Native American
- 11.3% Asian
- 9.4% Hispanic or Latinx
- 9.4% Multiracial (Two or More Races)
- 3.3% African American
- 54.8% White
We are especially proud of our continued inclusion of Native youth, who bring deep cultural knowledge and a lived connection to the landscapes we steward.
Gender Inclusion
P-CREW creates space for all youth to thrive. Participation has been nearly evenly split between cisgender male (47%) and cisgender female (47%) crew members, with additional representation from non-binary and self-described genders. We believe representation matters—and that outdoor leadership should reflect the full spectrum of gender identity.
Bridging Urban and Rural Communities
Our crews bring together youth from both city blocks and mountain towns. 62.8% of P-CREW participants come from urban areas, while 37.2% are from rural communities, creating a unique opportunity for cross-cultural learning and shared stewardship.
Testimonials
“Invasive species removal made me realize that I have a talent for identifying plants and have a love for growing and nurturing them. Botany may be my thing.”
“I’ve gained an appreciation for the little things, like cookies or a popsicle after a long week in the woods. Furthermore, P-CREW has helped me to gain a newfound appreciation for the stuff I usually take for granted, like a mattress, toilet paper, and running water.”
“My highlight of P-CREW has been accomplishing goals and challenges I assumed I would never achieve.”
“Let me just tell you this is going to be one crazy, fun, amazing, emotional, memory-making and life-changing experience! You’re going to work HARD, play harder, live, eat, do chores, everything together with these strangers, and just before you know it, these strangers are gonna become family.”
“I didn’t have my phone, so I became more comfortable disconnecting and I got in better shape by hiking a lot, and pushing through tough times!”
“P-CREW helped me a lot because I feel like I gained a lot of perspective through meeting new people, and I was put into situations where I had to take care of myself.”
“What made P-CREW worth it for me was seeing the work we accomplished, whether it was miles of trail, feet of fencing, or vast amounts of burn piles! On top of that, it’s great to understand the impact of what you’re doing.”
Alumni Resources: Next Steps in Conservation and Beyond
P-CREW is just the beginning. Whether you’re looking to deepen your field experience, try something new, or find a meaningful career path in the outdoors, these resources are here to help you take the next step.
Sierra Institute Seasonal Jobs
Continue your journey with the Sierra Institute. We offer a variety of seasonal roles that build on the skills you gained in P-CREW—from trail maintenance to forest restoration—while supporting our mission to advance healthy and resilient ecosystems.
View current openings: https://sierrainstitute.us/about/job-opportunities
Youth Conservation Corps
Looking for work similar to your P-CREW experience? These programs offer seasonal conservation jobs for young adults that often include camping, trail work, and invasive species removal. Most require you to provide your own transportation and gear.
- Northwest Youth Corps (OR/WA)
- Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (CO)
- Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (NM)
- Youth Conservation Corps (National Parks)
Tip: There are youth corps in nearly every state. Try searching “youth corps + [state]” to explore more.
Adult Conservation Corps
Ready for something more advanced? These programs vary widely. Some involve long-term camping in remote areas, while others offer shorter-term work closer to home. Be sure to research what best fits your goals and availability.
Adventure and Recreation Jobs
Interested in leading outdoor adventures like backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, or snowshoeing? These programs focus on recreation and often require some prior experience or training.
Outdoor Education
Combine leadership and learning in seasonal jobs that teach youth about science, nature, and the outdoors. These programs often feel like summer camp, but run during the school year with 3–5 day student visits.
Volunteer Opportunities
Unpaid or stipend-based roles can offer meaningful experiences, build your resume, and help you connect with causes you care about. Don’t overlook the value of giving back.
Have a job lead or resource to share? Let us know—we’d love to include it and help fellow alumni thrive.
What Are P-CREW Alumni Doing Now?
P-CREW alumni are making moves—in school, in the field, and around the country. Here’s a look at where they’re headed and what they’re up to:
Still in School
- 32 alumni are currently enrolled in high school.
Areas of Study
Alumni are pursuing a wide variety of academic interests:
- Environmental Studies
- Wildlife Biology
- Math / Physics
- Biology
- Undeclared Sciences
- Urban & Regional Development
- Criminology & Justice
- Nursing
- Creative Writing
- Photography
- Digital Art
- Theater
Colleges Attended
P-CREW alumni have attended schools across the country, including:
Community Colleges
- Feather River College
- Butte College
- Contra Costa College
- Berkeley City College
California State & UC System
- UC Davis
- UC Santa Cruz
- UC San Diego
- UC Los Angeles
- CSU East Bay
- Humboldt
Out-of-State & Private Colleges
- Macalester College, MN
- Wellesley College, MA
- University of Arizona
- Southern Oregon University, Ashland
Summer Jobs & Internships
Alumni have taken on a range of impactful seasonal jobs:
- P-CREW Alumni All-Star Assistant
- Amigos de las Américas
- Fire Crew
- Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
- Wildlife Internship – Forest Service
- Student Conservation Association
- Research Assistant to Graduate Student
- Summer Camp Counselor
- Leadership Director at Camp
Military Service
- Navy
- Air Force
Were you part of a P-CREW season?
We want to hear from you!
Your story helps shape the future of P-CREW—informing program improvements, supporting funding and partnerships, and inspiring the next generation of youth stewards.
Please take a few minutes to fill out our P-CREW Alumni Survey and share your journey with us.
Join our mailing list
We’re hard at work in our local forests and communities and we’re excited to share important updates with you via our monthly newsletter. Thank you for your interest in our work and being part of our community!
