1. What is the Elements Youth Advisory Council (YAC)?

    The Elements Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a 15-member council comprised of students between the ages of 16 and 26 years old from Butte and Glenn Counties. Members participate in bi-monthly meetings and outdoor experiences intended to increase access to and awareness of the health benefits of outdoor adventure and environmental advocacy. YAC members help lead the direction of the grant with the aim to bring the healing benefits of the program back to their respective schools and communities within Butte and Glenn Counties.

  2. What do YAC members do?

    • Go on outdoor excursions and learn outdoor adventure, nature connection and advocacy skills

    • Attend bi-monthly meetings to learn leadership, team building, health/wellness, and program planning skills

    • Network with community leaders and advocates to give input on local and regional issues and initiatives

    • Go on field trips and to learn about different outdoor-oriented career opportunities regionally and beyond. *Active members may apply for funding to attend additional career prep trainings regionally.

  3. When does the program start and end and what are key dates to know about?

    Each cohort starts in September and finishes in May. 2025-2026 bi-monthly meetings and skill workshops take place on the 1st & 3rd Tueday of each month. Exact dates for outdoor excursions will be planned by the members and vary each year.

  4. Do I have to go on all the outings and attend all of the meetings?

    We would love you to, but we know that life happens sometimes. There will be more than 8 excursions offered but we only ask that members attend a minimum of 8. Members may attend all of them if they choose to. Members are allowed a maximum of 3 absences from the bi- monthly meetings during the 9-month program.

  5. Where do the outings and meetings take place?

    Outings take place within Butte and Glenn Counties. On occasion, we will take a special trip within Northern California, for instance Lassen National Park. Meetings take place at the Paradise Recreation and Parks District’s Terry Ashe Center in Paradise, CA. *Note - some of the 2025-2026 cohort meetings may take place on zoom.

  6. What will happen at the Youth Advisory Council Meetings?

    The YAC is a council co-created by the members for the members. Participants will meet bi-monthly to learn leadership and personal development skills and will help guide the direction of the program and experiences. Guests from community programs and organizations attend each meeting to share unique skills and to talk about community issues.

  7. Who leads the outings and the meetings?

    Kelly Munson is the program coordinator and the core staff through all of the program activities. Kelly has been guiding youth through outdoor & experiential education programs on and off for 28 years. She also led the Student Life Department, taught Leadership and Civic Engagement, and mentored students at Butte College for 20 years.

    At each meeting, select community members are invited to share their unique skills with members and talk about community projects/programs they are involved with so members learn more about regional opportunities & issues that they may want to get involved with=\\\\\\\.

    On each outing, local outdoor professionals are invited to co-guide the outing and share their technical skills, nature knowledge, and career path so members can gain the confidence to go on trips of their own and also learn how they might pursue jobs in the outdoors.

  8. What if I don’t have a car or a ride to get to the outings and meetings?

    Luckily, we have funds through the grant to help with transportation so we can help with pick up and drop off if you assistance.

  9. Do I need experience in the outdoors to participate?

    No previous experience is necessary to join. Our outings start off mellow and we will build our skills during the program. You do need a positive, go-for-it attitude to try new things though and be willing to go out of your comfort zone. *note - if you are looking for a program that offers advanced, high risk outdoor activities, you may prefer a program such as Outward Bound or the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

  10. Will I have to buy gear or special clothing/footwear for any excursions or will the Youth Advisory Council provide gear?

    We aim to go on outings that do not require specilized clothing or gear. We also have a closet with limited outdoor clothing available to borrow. Most excursions will not require any technical gear or special clothing/footwear. For trips such as snow shoeing and rock climbing or any excursion that requires additional items, the YAC will provide or rent the needed gear.

  11. How do I get a stipend for participating with the Youth Advisory Council?

    Participants will receive a $250 dollar stipend at the end of the program if they attend a minimum of 8 excursions and regularly participate in the bi-monthly planning meetings and skill building workshops.

  12. Can I sign up for the Youth Advisory Council for more than one year?

    Yes!! Any previous members can sign up to participate again. Returning members may take an additional leadership role on the council

  13. Do you have social media accounts that I can check out?

    Yes, you can find us at:

    Instagram @elementsyac

    Facebook @ Elements Youth Advisory Council

  14. Who can I talk to about the program?

    You can call/text or email the program coordinator, Kelly Munson, at 207-650-2498 or munlark4@gmail.com. Kelly works out in the field and also at the Paradise Recreation & Parks Department office.