The Youth Outdoor Ambassador program is a paid internship provided by the Forest Preserves of Cook County that brings together youth throughout Cook County to become the next generation of advocates, stewards and conservationists of the environment and the Forest Preserves' important natural areas. Youth Outdoor Ambassador (YOA) participants engage in hands-on conservation service and nature education in the Forest Preserves throughout the summer program season. Interns primarily work in the Conservation and Experimental Programming Department and assist staff from other Forest Preserves departments. Activities include working as a team on projects such as invasive plant removal, beautifying parts of the Preserves, animal care, assisting during events, aiding naturalists in nature kid camps and connecting people to nature. Environmental education and nature-based recreational activities are essential components of the YOA experience. Throughout the program, ambassadors are regularly exposed to various careers within the Forest Preserves and other environmental fields, helping them build readiness for these potential job opportunities. Weekly field trips and outdoor experiences range from behind-the-scenes visits to Brookfield Zoo Chicago to paddling trips along local waterways. Towards the end of the program, the youth come together and share their experiences at the Forest Preserves with their friends, family and staff during a Presentation of Learning ceremony. The goal is for YOA youth to have one of the best summers of their lives and create long-lasting connections to nature and the Forest Preserves.