The Palm Beach County Youth Services Department (YSD) and Environmental Resources Management (ERM) work in partnership to offer young people opportunities to visit county natural areas and engage in activities such as hiking, bird watching, kayaking, and learning about the plants and animals that live there. This collaboration began three years ago with the Tri-City Trailblazers and Green Futures, a student summer internship program. Both programs are continually evolving to provide educational and enrichment opportunities for youth.

On February 1, seven students and one chaperone from the Lake Worth Youth Empowerment Center (YEC) took a field trip with two ERM staffers to the Lantana Scrub Natural Area. Students learned about safely hiking the trails, why the soil is sandy and similar to a desert (erosion, weathering, geologic formation), and
the many plants and animals that thrive in the environment. The group also practiced orienteering, navigating through dense wooded areas using a compass and map.

There are three county-funded youth empowerment centers in Palm Beach County -- Lake Worth, Belle Glade and Riviera Beach. Future field trips are planned with members from each center with a focus topic and activities to enjoy on days when students are not in school, such as scheduled teacher workdays.

The YEC program provides activities and services to middle and high school youth, including after-school educational and recreational programming. The centers promote education, health and well-being, leadership and community involvement. For The Children, Inc. operates the Lake Worth YEC. All three centers in Palm Beach County receive funding from the Board of County Commissioners through its Youth Services Department. ​