Fort personnel report on new program, need for speed control

The Fort Scott National Historic Site is offering area youth an opportunity at a summer job with a historical twist.

Tiffiny Durham, museum technician at the site, spoke to the Fort Scott City Commission Tuesday about the Youth Conservation Corps Summer program, an internship opportunity at the fort that runs from June 18 to Aug. 11.

“We’re looking to hire four high school students this summer,” Durham said, adding fort staff will hire two girls and two boys.

The program, which is for 15-18 year old youths, is designed to give youth a chance to engage at the fort, learn new skills and earn extra money.

Durham said FSNHS staff need energy and ideas from area youth to pilot new projects this summer at the historic site. Youth can learn leadership skills, create their own projects, and learn what it’s like to work at the fort.

The paid internship will involve youth working eight hours per day, 40 hours per week Tuesday through Saturday. Durham said the fort has applications available and they are due April 30. She said the students are chosen by lottery after applications are received.

Members of the program are paid the federal minimum wage or the state minimum wage if higher.

According to submitted information, the U.S. Youth Conservation Corps is a summer youth employment program that “engages young people in meaningful work experiences on national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries while developing an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.

Members of the program work on projects that “promote awareness and appreciation of the public lands legacy and the nation’s natural, cultural and historic resources.”

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service.

On a separate matter related to the fort, Durham said there is currently a concern with safety on Old Fort Blvd., in front of the fort.

“There is a lot of traffic there, and many times they are going faster than through town,” she said.

Durham talked about the need for speed bumps in that area to “slow down traffic.”

City Manager Dave Martin said he is also concerned with “safety in front of the fort” and has plans to talk to Public Works Director Chad Brown about speed bumps “to increase safety.”

“They’re not going to be expensive, so we’ll see what the feedback is and then approve in May,” Martin said.

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