So you want to know what it’s takes to make it on a Vet crew with MCC?
Well, lets start with the basics. stuff everything you need for ten days into a backpack, grab your tent, sleeping bag and other miscellaneous items required for living…
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The blog is for you, the members and alumni, to share your stories.
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- What is the start date?
- The majority of our Crew Member positions start in May and run through October. Crew Leaders start in February and end in November. Youth Crew Leaders start in February and end in August. Please see position calendar for exact dates.
- Do you have any summer-only positions?
- Occasionally, we have a few summer-only positions, but we are unable to guarantee the availability of these positions. If available, these positions will be posted on our website in May.
- I’m a student. Can I still apply?
- Of course! Many of our members are college students. Please check that your availability coincides with our program dates. Some students find it necessary to take off the fall school semester to complete our program.
- What is the application window?
- We accept applications year-round and will hold your application until our recruitment season begins in October. We will contact you once we have received your application to confirm its arrival.
- How do I submit my application?
- Please choose one of the following methods. We will contact you once we've received your application.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Fax: 406-587-2606
Mail: 206 N Grand Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715
You will hear from us when we receive your application.
- Are your programs exclusively for Montana residents?
- Our AmeriCorps programs are open to all US citizens. Our Youth Service Expedition Program is for Montana residents only.
- Does MCC provide housing?
- No. While on spike, your home is a tent for most of the time, which you are responsible for providing. MCC can rent tents to individuals depending upon availability. You are responsible for finding your own housing while not on spike. Many members find housing together. MCC has resources to help you find suitable housing.
- What about transportation?
- You’ll need to get to the MCC office or other meeting places on your own, but it is not necessary to have a car. It is often possible to carpool with other members on a crew, or to bike or walk to the MCC Regional Office. MCC provides transportation from our offices to worksites and back.
- Are relocation costs covered?
- No. You are responsible for your transportation costs to and from Montana.
- Are dogs allowed?
- If you own a dog and plan to join MCC, you will need to make arrangements for someone to care for your dog while you are in the field. For safety reasons, dogs are not allowed at any MCC work site.
- What’s the work schedule like?
- Flexibility is an essential part of a successful term of service. Your schedule will fluctuate to meet the needs of project sponsors. We often work well over 40 hours a week and on Saturdays. Hitches may be nine or more days long, sometimes 12 weeks or more in remote locations. For most of the season, you’ll be camping at frontcountry or backcountry locations, but you may also have weeks in town.
- Can I be on the same crew as my significant other or relative?
- No. MCC encourages individual growth, and therefore, will not place couples or relatives on the same crew. We will certainly place you in the same region, though.
- Can I be on the same crew as my friend?
- Maybe. MCC encourages individual growth, and therefore, encourages members not to “crew up” with friends.
- Is food paid for?
- While on spike, you’ll receive a meal allowance in addition to your living stipend. During your days off, you are responsible for your own meals. Your living stipend is meant to cover this expense.
- What about wildlife?
- You will encounter wildlife. Any animal you encounter should be treated with respect. Wildlife safety will be part of your training. Crews are provided with bear spray when the project calls for it. You may also bring your own. Firearms are not permitted at MCC.
- Do I need any training to join? What training will I receive?
- Please see position descriptions.
- Are all of your positions AmeriCorps?
- Currently, all of our young adult positions are AmeriCorps. Our youth programs are not.
- Is this a volunteer position?
- MCC positions are part of the AmeriCorps national service program. You will receive a bi-weekly living stipend and at the completion of your term of service, you are eligible for an education award.
- How do I claim my education award?
- Is the AmeriCorps stipend enough to live on?
- The stipend is adequate to meet your basic needs for housing, food, and routine needs. You will find it difficult to meet other financial obligations such as a car payment or credit card payment. You may be able to defer your student loan payments during your term of service. Talk to your lender for more information.
- Do you offer college credit for your program?
- If you are able to coordinate this with your school, it may be possible to receive college credit, but you are responsible for working this out.
- How long is a term of service?
- Crew Leaders typically serve from February to November, a minimum of 1700 hours. Corpsmembers serve from May to October, a minimum of 900 hours. Youth Crew Leaders serve from February to August, a minimum of 900 hours. You complete the entire length of your term of service, not just the hours, in order to claim your education award.
- What’s the nature of the work?
- MCC completes projects at high elevations in all types of weather, and the work is physically rigorous. Over the course of your term, you may complete one or more of the following: historical building restoration, trail building/maintenance, fence building, fire restoration, habitat restoration, noxious weed removal, and community projects. Please see project profiles for more information.
- Who does MCC work with?
- MCC crews work with over 150 project sponsor agencies, including the National Park Service, US Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Montana state agencies for Fish and Wildlife, and Parks, and Natural Resources and Conservation, numerous city and county agencies, and community organizations.
- What opportunities are available after MCC?
- Much of this depends on your interests. Many members return the next year as MCC Crew Leaders. Many MCC alumni find work with the Forest Service or Park Service.
- Do you have social networking for Alumni?
- MCC has a Facebook page and encourages alumni participation. There, you’ll find a link to our blog and Flickr pages. We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve got a submission, or just want to chat, get it touch!
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