The Los Alamos Y Earth Service Corps has had an exciting past month. They have continued to work on maintaining and improving the trails around Los Alamos, and have begun working on The Satch Cowan Trail, a trail honoring a local woman who has helped make the Los Alamos YES Corps program possible. 

Additionally, the YES Corps has volunteered at the Espanola Humane Society, has deconstructed unsafe fencing for the Wildlife Center, and has served as mentors for the Y’s iCARE program participants for an activity studying a forest floor.

The Los Alamos Y Earth Service Corps also went on their first-ever backpacking trip this past month. 

They completed a three day and two night backpacking trip in the San Pedro Wilderness. While enjoying the adventure, the participants learned various lessons about camping in the wilderness in a safe and responsible way.

Throughout the summer, the YES Corps participants have been involved in fundraising for a non-profit organization, Creativity for Peace. 

Creativity for Peace is a camp near Santa Fe that seeks to help bring peace to Israel and Palestine by selecting adolescent females from both countries and giving them an opportunity at this camp for creating connections through dialogue and group activities.

This camp focuses on developing these girls into leaders who can return to their countries and continue the process of creating connections across the lines of prejudice. 

The YES Corps participants have raised needed funds for this organization through planning and conducting various fundraising events around Los Alamos. 

They have already raised over $400 for Creativity for Peace and still have one additional fundraising event to complete. 

After the fundraising events are over, YES Corps will present their raised funds to Creativity for Peace and will have the opportunity to have a discussion with the girls at the camp focusing on cross-cultural awareness.

More photos can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Los-Alamos-YES-Corps/441920612492653.