What is the YEIP program?
- Sophie Seifert
- 14 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Parks and Recreation is a wide-ranging program aimed at supporting the community. Rec centers across the country offer sports for kids and teens to partake in, as well as bonding activities that anyone can join. Recently, I became aware of something called the YEIP program; YEIP stands for Youth Employment Internship Program, and it aims to teach teens important life skills. Not only is it a great way to meet people and learn new things, but it also comes with a $500 stipend! While I originally signed up only for the money, the experience itself proved to be amazing and worthwhile.
What topics does the class cover?
(For reference, the second time I did the class, it was only four days instead of six due to the fires. Even with limited hours, the basic outline of the class was the same both times I did it. Also for context, the first class had a “CSI” theme, and the second one was about “camp counseling.”)
The program is aimed at teaching the youth about basic skills they’ll need throughout their life. Both times I did the class, we covered essentially the same topics, so future YEIP programs will likely cover similar ones as well. At the beginning, we went over how to build a resume and what we could do to make ourselves more marketable for job hirers. This included writing down our education, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and eventually compiling them into a full resume. We also learned how to conduct ourselves at an interview, with the kids taking turns answering questions in front of the class. These skills are essential for people our age to learn so we can utilize them in the upcoming years.
The program also covered Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which outlines our reliance on emotional validation and material goods. Through this concept, we learned how to be empathetic and understanding towards others and their unique situations. Later on in theprogram, supervisors came in to give us a presentation on college. Even though I know a lot about schools and their application process, I was surprised at how much new information I was hearing. Not only did we learn about credits and acceptance processes, but we gained valuable knowledge on scholarships, community colleges, and even different degrees.
On the other hand, we learned a lot about basic organizational hacks and safety knowledge. Seeing how to clear our schedule and leave enough time for activities is a vital skill that I’ll know I’ll put to good use. Similarly, we did a series of activities that prepared us for saving money and knowing how to spend it efficiently. In the first YEIP program I did, there was a day dedicated to learning about natural disasters and how to recover from them. This included setting up a meeting spot with immediate family, knowing what supplies to compile, and what disasters were common in California.
Here’s where things become different: depending on what YEIP class you’re doing, some activities will be specific to that topic. For example, when I did the CSI class, we did a few activities that mirrored what real CSI agents have to do. We dropped red food coloring on paper for blood spatter analysis, took our fingerprints, and even used drug testing kits to investigate fake drugs. Part of the reason I enjoyed the second class more (the camp counselor one) was because those activities were simply more skewed towards my interests. It involved playing a lot of sports and doing simpler crafts so that we could experience the activities we could implement on younger kids in a camp. Granted, we did do some physical activities in the first class too, but playing dodgeball four weeks in a row gets a bit boring. They really couldn’t mix it up at all?)
The last day of class …
The last day of class deserves its subcategory due to how packed it is. This session is dedicated to completing a single packet; in that packet, there's a combination of word puzzles, riddles, ascavenger hunt, skits, and other “bonding” activities. You have the whole day to complete the packet for “points,” and the team with the most points wins a prize. Although it sounds cheesy, it’s a really fun way to wrap up the program and say goodbye to all the people you’ve met. Since you’ll likely be given assigned seats on the first day of class, you get to know everyone pretty well and learn how to collaborate.
Other things to keep in mind
Snacks and water are provided every day, so there’s no need to bring any food other than lunch (or money if you plan to dine out).
For lunch on the last day, the instructors will order food as a special treat, such as Panda Express or pizza. (Please don’t hate me if this doesn’t happen, I’m just speaking from experience and the experiences of other kids.)
Get to know the people in your program! That’s what I regret the most about my first class; I barely even knew anyone’s name. The second time, I made more of an effort, and now I have friends that I still make plans with and talk to.
Look into more amazing programs that your local rec centers offer. Many of them have Teen Clubs, and they go on field trips and engage in fun activities together. It’s a great way to get involved with your community and have fun in the process.
So, how do you sign up?
Search for “YEIP program” and click on the first link through LA Parks. The link is also attached below:
That website should list the different YEIP classes that are being offered. At the bottom of the page, there are links to flyers for each class, such as this one:
On that flier, you’ll see all the information you’ll need. It says what rec center the class is being offered at, specific times/dates of the sessions, and when registration begins.
Below the information about registration, there will be a link that takes you directly to the application for that specific class. In order to fill it out, you first need to create an account through the LA Parks website. After you fill it out, you’ll receive confirmation, and you’re all set! If you’re put on a waiting list, it’s ok; people can change their plans or even drop out after the first day of class.
To get the check, you have to:
Be between 9th and 12th grade (unless specified otherwise for each program).
Attend at least five of the six sessions. Each class is from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on back-to-back Saturdays. This includes an hour-long lunch break, where you can leave the park and do anything you want until the time you have to be back. (Again, specific programs may be offered for different durations, but they’re usually six sessions. No matter what, you’re given a limited number of days you can miss.)
If you miss a day due to sickness or plans, you’re able to make up the hours through community service. You have to make up the number of hours you missed (so six hours for a full class). These hours can be made up through any organization, but proof and official signatures are needed. (Please note that this may not be the case for specific locations - some of them may not require you to do community service, but if you still miss more than one session, you’re no longer eligible for the stipend.)
At the beginning of the first class, you have to fill out paperwork that includes your Social Security number. Since the money comes through the government, this ensures that it’s valid.
Pick up the check 4-6 weeks after the class ends. Yes, it’s a long time to wait, but yes, it’s worth it.
Final thoughts
The YEIP program is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of. Not only do you learn valuable life skills (while being paid), but it’s also an amazing way to meet new people or add something unique to your resume. Even though it may seem like a big commitment, it’s worth it.