In 2023, the Boulder County Youth Corps launched its first-ever LGBTQ+ Affinity Team, a group of 10 youth and two adult leaders working on trail-building projects on various open space properties throughout the county. For many, these demanding work environments can feel less like a welcoming and illuminating experience and more like an isolating space where their identities are invisible or unwelcome. This is where the vital experience of the Youth Corps LGBTQ+ affinity spaces came into play.
The Youth Corps affinity experience, specifically designed for members of the LGBTQ+ youth community, offered a powerful space where they could come together to have an impact on their community while at the same time engaging in important self-identity work.
Sharing a common identity allows for deeper connection and understanding. Youth Corps affinity team members openly discussed their experiences, challenges, and joys related to their identities, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. Throughout the eight-week season, individuals of a range of genders and abilities learned and contributed to the successful completion of many significant trail conservation projects. They also developed new skills in a supportive environment, boosted self-esteem, and empowered each other to take on new challenges, both on and off the trail.
The presence of the LGBTQ+ trail crew increased visibility and challenged the notion that the outdoors or trail-building work is a homogenous space. This representation encourages others to participate and help create a more inclusive culture. By participating in the Youth Corps LGBTQ+ affinity space, corps members connected with nature on a deeper level, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to environmental stewardship.
