Serving with SCA can be the experience of a lifetime, as you come face to face with nature’s biggest challenges, and take responsibility for preserving America’s heritage and the future. Many SCA positions offer stipends, service hours, or academic credit – but the perks don’t end there. Every SCA position offers personal, professional, and global benefits that will stay with you long beyond your term of service.
Live and Work in Amazing Places
As an SCA member, you’ll have the opportunity to work in some of the most beautiful places in the country – from national parks, to historic sites, to urban green spaces. Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or commuting to your local city park, you’ll get to work outdoors and explore new places as you learn about your natural environment.
Make New Friends
SCA members come from all different backgrounds, but they all share a common passion for conservation. Serving with SCA gives you the chance to connect with other young people who share your interests, and develop friendships that last long beyond your SCA term.
Join a Community of Conservation-Minded Individuals
Across the country, a network of over 75,000 SCA alumni are carrying on the mission of service and conservation leadership. Whether you are looking to make professional or personal connections in the environmental field, connecting with other SCA alumni can open up a nation-wide network of people who share your dedication to protecting the planet.
Tackle New Challenges
Whether building muscle on a trail team or tackling a fear of public speaking in an environmental education position, SCA gives you the change to push yourself to new heights and face new challenges. No matter your level of experience, you’ll get to try things you never tried before… and in the process you’ll gain confidence and hone your leadership skills.
Explore Career Options
An SCA position provides an opportunity to discover the challenges and rewards of a career in conservation. SCA offers internships and crew experiences in over 30 conservation-related disciplines. It’s a chance to find out which path best suits you, and how you can put your passion for conserving nature into practice.
Make Career Connections
Many careers have started with an SCA position. You’ll get to experience what it’s like to have a frontline job in the field of conservation. You’ll serve alongside professionals who will guide your work and can serve as valuable contacts later on. Even if you don’t go on to work directly in conservation, professional references from an SCA position can help launch your career no matter what field you pursue.
Receive Professional Trainings and Certifications
As an SCA member you will receive specialized training and valuable experience. In some cases professional certifications are available as part of your position. Opportunities vary depending on the specific position.
Receive a Stipend, Service Hours, or Academic Credit
Many SCA positions offer stipends, travel reimbursement, or academic credit. Some internship positions for applicants age 18 and up are also eligible for AmeriCorps Education Awards and other financial benefits. Opportunities vary depending on the specific position.
Serve the Planet
The work you do as an SCA member helps conserve America’s public lands and the critical wildlife and ecosystems they support. By protecting natural habitats and helping to raise public awareness for conservation issues, SCA members improve the planet and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Make an Impact
An SCA position is your chance to the serve the earth right now. The work you do makes an immediate positive impact on people, wildlife, and the planet. SCA members are ready to get their hands dirty and put conservation into action.