In My Backyard

The In My Backyard (IMBY) Program is the first of its kind in the National Park Service (NPS). It is a grassroots effort by youth to find creative, innovative ways to engage fellow youth with our surrounding communities, partners, and public lands. In doing so, these young professionals (known as IMBYs) increase access and engagement with national parks through designing equitable programming, as well as cultivating networks of their own.

This summer’s virtual program will run for five weeks from July 11 to August 12. Seattle-area youth leaders will contribute six hours a week, totaling 30 total program hours. Of those six weekly hours, 1.5 hours per week will be with the entire team virtually while the remaining hours will be spent creating independently and/or with fellow youth leaders. Your time will be compensated at Seattle’s minimum wage. Stipends are based on full participation and will be distributed at the end of the program.

This program will be completed virtually with the possibility of two in-person experiences during Week 3 (July 25-July 29) and Week 5 (August 8-August 12), COVID-19 permitting. If the in-person experiences can take place and youth are comfortable doing so, the in-person experiences will take place in the Pioneer Square and Seattle Chinatown-International Districts in Seattle. Public transportation to in-person experiences will be compensated. Before the program start, the park will mail youth leaders all the supplies needed to thrive this summer!