Gov. Jay Nixon today encouraged young Missourians looking for summer employment to apply online with the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC) program, which will return once again in 2013. SPYC — a nationally recognized jobs initiative started by Nixon in 2010 to enhance Missouri’s 87 state parks and historical sites — is a cooperative partnership between the Division of Workforce Development and Missouri State Parks. The Governor said the 2013 State Parks Youth Corps will employ Missourians between ages 17 and 23 who meet eligibility requirements at state parks and historic sites across Missouri, with the program running from May 1 through Oct. 31. Applications for the program are now being accepted online on the state of Missouri website, MO.gov. “Through their hard work, the State Parks Youth Corps has helped create a better experience for the millions of people who visit Missouri State Parks each year,” Nixon said. “As a result, we again saw attendance grow, reaching more than 18 million visitors in 2012. I encourage young Missourians who want a summer job that is interesting and challenging to go online and apply.” During 2012, SPYC workers put in more than 119,223 hours at 69 parks and historic sites, performing a variety of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance work and trail construction to interpretation and social media efforts. Examples included: Rebuilding a wood picket fence at the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site in Kansas City; Painting 42 historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at Pin Oak group camp at Lake of the Ozarks State Park; Assisting with photo documentation and transcription of exhibit text at the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City; Participating in wildfire response training at St. Francois State Park in east-central Missouri; and Completing a study of trees at Weston Bend State Park in Platte County and making the study into a book. The State Parks Youth Corps and Nixon were recognized in 2010 with the President’s Award from the National Association of State Parks Directors for the innovative program. Missouri cabin