The SCA is a national non-profit changing lives through hands-on conservation work in the outdoors. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces at various locations across the country. After a summer working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.
The SCA partners with the National Park Service to host the Traditional Trades Advancement Program which provides hands-on, historic preservation trade skills training through an intensive learning-while-working experience at various National Park Service sites across the country. The program aims to build the next generation of historic trades workers to continue the important work of preserving the historic resources and crucial infrastructure of national park sites.
Every year, aspiring preservationists are placed at national parks across the country to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. Participants work on an array of preservation techniques including:
- Repairing historic window sashes
- Replacing perimeter capstones on a revolutionary era fort
- Removing old mortar and pointed walls
- Stabilizing historic barn foundations
- Waxing and treating bronze monuments
- Restoring historic viewsheds
Current Opportunities
Traditional Trades Advancement Program Intern, Minute Man National Historical Park (Mass.)
During this 26-week immersive experience, interns will train and work alongside experienced National Park Service employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure at Minute Man National Park in Massachusetts. Interns will learn the fundamentals of historic preservation and receive on-the-job training in a traditional trade, such as carpentry, linseed oil paints, window restoration and woodcrafting. Participants will gain practical, hands-on experience and begin to build the foundation for a career in historic preservation.
Traditional Trades Advancement Program Intern, Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie National Historical Parks and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (S.C.)
During this 26-week immersive experience, interns will train and work alongside experienced National Park Service employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure at Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina. Participants will learn and practice repairing interior and exterior structures made up of a variety of materials including wood, plaster, concrete and brick. Interns will learn how to read historic drawings, plans and follow work guidelines. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation.
Traditional Trades Advancement Program Intern, Wrangell-St Elias National Park (AK)
During this 26-week immersive experience, interns will train and work alongside experienced National Park Service employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure at Wrangell-St Elias National Park in Alaska. Participants will learn the fundamentals of historic preservation and receive on-the-job training in a traditional trade, such as masonry, carpentry, monuments and woodcrafting. Interns will gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. The ideal candidate for this role is a current Alaska resident with experience living in remote and rustic settings.
