Although the Friends of V.I. National Park announced a summer student job opportunity in February, there have so far been no takers, according to Friends program manager Karen Jarvis.

“I did have six people inquire, but nobody’s confirmed,” she said.

Jarvis said she hopes that reminding students closer to the June 17 start of the six-week program might generate more interest.

There are spots for eight students from St. Thomas and St. John as well as two crew leaders. The student positions pay $7.25 an hour. Jarvis said she didn’t have the rate for the crew leaders.

The Friends joined forces with the Student Conservation Association to form a trail crew to spiff up the park’s myriad trails. The program provides students ages 15 through 19 with outdoor experience repairing and maintaining six to eight miles of the park’s most heavily-used hiking trails.

Through this program, trail crew members are introduced to a variety of topics including outdoor work, hiking skills and a basic cultural and ecological knowledge of the island.

At the request of the park’s maintenance department, the crew will be clearing vegetation, building and repairing stone steps, repairing damaged drainage ditches and removing loose rock on our trails. The effects of their work will reduce erosion to trails vulnerable to deterioration due to steep slopes, shallow topsoil and severe rain.

In addition to learning about trail maintenance and developing an understanding of their role as responsible stewards of the environment, the students will learn team building and leadership development skills.

To sign up, call Jarvis at 779-4940.