Youth Career Awareness Program (YCAP) Foundations 

 

Ages 13–17

​YCAP Foundations is a structured youth program for teenagers ages 13–17 who are interested in wildlife conservation, animal care, and related career pathways. This comprehensive program is designed to support a variety of learning styles and interests, offering opportunities that range from hands-on support work to project-based learning and research.

Participants gain valuable skills, contribute meaningfully to conservation efforts, and develop a deeper understanding of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental stewardship—empowering them to become informed advocates for wildlife.

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Program Season & Capacity

The YCAP Explorers program runs March through November and is primarily conducted entirely on-site at the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island, located at 2865 Tower Hill Road, Saunderstown, RI 02874.

• Enrollment is rolling throughout the season

• Participation is capped once capacity is reached

• Applicants received after capacity is met will be placed on a waiting list

• Participants must have reliable transportation to and from the Clinic

 

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Orientation & Commitment

Once applicants are accepted, participants are required to attend a mandatory orientation with their caregiver prior to beginning regular shifts.

Participants:

• Select from available program days

• Commit to at least one shift per every week or every other

• May participate in additional shifts when space allows

 

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Program Schedule

YCAP Explorers participate in 2 hour shifts, offered on select days only to ensure appropriate supervision and meaningful learning.

 

Available Program Days:

• Mondays

• Tuesdays

• Saturdays

• Sundays

 

Shift times are assigned based on clinic needs, participant availability, and program capacity. Days may be subject to change.

 

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Program Overview & Learning Opportunities

While all participants engage in core YCAP programming, Foundations may experience a variety of learning opportunities aligned with their interests and readiness.

 

Activities may include:

• Nursery Assistance & Animal Care Support
  Assisting with nursery organization, diet preparation, feeding setup, sanitation tasks, and daily support needs.
  There may be limited, supervised opportunities to assist with feeding certain species, depending on the season, species needs, and participant readiness.

• Animal Husbandry Support
  Diet preparation, enrichment building, enclosure preparation, and light cleaning duties under staff supervision.

• Enrichment Building & Creative Projects
  Designing and creating enrichment items for wildlife patients and educational use.

• Mock Patient Models & Training Setups
  Participating in simulated rehabilitation scenarios using models and mock enclosures.

• Research & Senior Project Opportunities
  Supporting research-based projects or capstone requirements related to wildlife care, education, or conservation.

• Grounds & Habitat Work
  Assisting with pollinator gardens, habitat improvement, and seasonal grounds projects.

• Education & Community Support Tasks
  Helping prepare outreach materials, educational tools, and clinic resources.

• Shadowing & Observation Opportunities
  Observing Wildlife Clinic staff and permitted volunteers during animal care, medical procedures, and daily operations.

 

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Career Exploration Calendar

YCAP Explorers follow an internal career exploration calendar, with designated program days focused on specific wildlife-related careers and operational roles. Each session highlights how different professions contribute to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.

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Career focus areas may include:

• Animal care and nutrition

• Wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary support

• Enrichment and habitat design

• Education and outreach

• Conservation and field-based work

• Facility operations and nonprofit management

This rotating structure allows participants to explore multiple career paths over time while understanding how different roles work together within a wildlife rehabilitation organization.

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Safety, Permits & Animal Handling

In Rhode Island, a wildlife rehabilitation permit is required to handle most wildlife. By law, such permits are not available to individuals under 18 years of age.

 

Accordingly:

• Youth Program participants may not handle wildlife requiring a permit

• Any permissible animal interaction will occur only under direct staff supervision

• Under no circumstances may participants handle Rabies Vector Species, including (but not limited to): raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, bats, coyotes, bobcats, minks, otters, fishers, and weasels

 

Participants will have opportunities to observe staff and permitted volunteers during animal handling, medical procedures, and rehabilitation work.

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Program Expectations & Considerations

 

Participants are expected to:

• Read and follow all policies outlined in the Volunteer & Intern Program Handbook

• Adhere to supervision requirements and restricted-area guidelines

• Follow all PPE and sanitization protocols

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Additional considerations:

• The Clinic is not allergen-free

• Participants with allergies must notify the Executive Director (medical information remains confidential)

• Air conditioning cannot be guaranteed in all areas

• Appropriate dress is required; summer temperatures should be anticipated

• Cell phones and earbuds are not permitted during shifts
  (Parents may contact the front desk at 401-294-6363 if needed)

 

Failure to follow program rules may result in warnings or removal from the program.

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Media & Contact Information

Participants are required to sign a media waiver permitting photos to be taken on-site.

For questions or to express interest in the Youth Career Awareness Program, please contact:
Olivia Harrington, Community Engagement and Programs Director at  oharrington@riwildliferehab.org 

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