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 – Steamtown National Historic Site (Pa.)
Over the course of a 26-week immersive experience, participants train and work alongside experienced National Park Service employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. The position at Steamtown offers specific opportunities to work on a variety of projects involving historic railroad equipment such as steam locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, tank cars, hopper cars and more. Expected dates: Oct. 2, 2023 – March 29, 2024.
Traditional Trades Advancement Program – San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas)
Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park through projects addressing a range of historic preservation needs. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves and maintains the historic and modern resources of the 1,000-acre site. Interns will be part of the park’s masonry preservation team and will work side by side with National Park Service craftsmen learning all aspects of masonry preservation of historic structures from removing failed masonry fabric and mixing mortar, all the way to shaping and laying stone, then applying finishing treatments. Expected dates: Nov. 6, 2023 – May 3, 2024.
Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site (N.Y.)
Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at multiple significant historic sites through projects addressing a range of historic preservation needs. Over the course of a 26-week immersive experience, TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. At the Home of FDR, TTAP participants will restore windows, paint the interior, and reconstruct two staircases at the Stone House. Expected dates: Oct. 23, 2023 – April 19, 2024.