News And Stories
Youth Conservation Corps Members Find Their Balance
"You have to wait until the bubble is exactly in the middle of the two lines," 14 year-old Julian Rodriguez declares, "I mean exactly in the middle. It can't be going either way." He proceeds to deftly move the level across the surface of a concrete block while his partner, 15 year-old Kia Yang, bends to assess their progress. Along the way, she gives Julian instructions, "We're a little high over here; move it down there."
Julian and Kia are members of a seven person summer Youth Conservation Corps crew building a modular block edger at St. Paul's McMurray Field. The crew also plans to control erosion at the site by creating an "amphitheatre" style seating area that crew leader Kristen Davis says will anchor loose tree roots.
This morning, Julian and Kia patiently pound and re-pound heavy concrete blocks into the ground until the bubble in their level floats perfectly between the two razor thin black lines in the tool's center.
Surrounded by fellow crew members digging holes and hauling dirt, Julian and Kia find themselves immersed in a task that requires intense concentration. Perhaps even a level of mental engagement they didn't expect from a summer job. But one demonstrating that the mathematical and observational skills learned in school really do apply to the work world.
The kids are getting good at this, laying several blocks a day to continue a wall construction project begun by a previous Tree Trust crew. Kristen explains, "They took three hours to level the first block, but they're getting faster every day."
The modular block edging the crew is constructing will join many other completed Tree Trust projects at the field. Kia lives in the neighborhood and looks forward to visiting the park that she helped build. As they continue to develop skills that will help them enter the workforce, Kia, Julian and their crew mates know that they will leave a lasting, perfectly level legacy at McMurray field.
Tree Trust
2350 Wycliff Street Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Phone: 651-644-5800
Fax: 651-644-1469
