Frequently Asked Questions
General Information Application Process Candidate Review Process
Cost to Participate Crew Life Travel Additional Information
General Information
Is previous experience necessary?
No, just ample supplies of enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a commitment to give it everything you've got. Keep in mind that a particular comfort level such as sleeping in a tent, interacting with wildlife, or making do without regular hot showers will likely result in an enhanced SCA experience.
How old do I have to be?
Crew members must be between 15 and 19 years old. 14 year olds may apply as long as they will be 15 at the start of the crew. Members also need to be a current High School student when applying.
What do you mean by backcountry and frontcountry?
Backcountry crews conduct work in remote locations a mile or more from a road where the campsites are located in the woods. Frontcountry crews hike in from a campsite that is located in a more settled location such as a park campground. Both types of crews live in tents.
Where do crews serve?
SCA places young people in national parks, forests, cultural sites and urban green spaces nationwide. Many positions are based deep in the backcountry, but most are closer to population centers. The common thread among our sites is that they are all places in need of our conservation efforts!
How much does it cost?
Serving in SCA is tuition-free. Participants pay only a $25 application fee to SCA, thanks to a combination of fee agreements with partner agencies and the philanthropic generosity of foundations, corporations and individuals around the world. Travel costs are the responsibility of the participant.
I am not a US citizen, but I would like to apply to be a member on a SCA crew. Can I apply?
SCA does accept international applicants into our programs. As an international applicant you will be need to be aware of the following:
- For applicants from Canada and Mexico there is a one-time application fee of $25 (U.S. currency). The application fee can be paid by, credit card, check or money order, but must be in U. S. currency and should accompany your completed application.
- For other international applicants the one-time application fee is $40 (U.S. currency). The application fee can be paid by, credit card, check or money order, but must be in U. S. currency and should accompany your completed application.
If you are Canadian - there is a special crew available to you called the Canada-US crew. It is the only crew to work in both the U.S. and Canada. It is made up of 4 Canadian students, 4 U.S. students and one leader from each country. To express your interest in this crew, complete the online application and additional forms (Medical History, Parent Signature, and Physician forms). In addition please add:
- On question #7 - In your own words, please describe your motivation to serve on a SCA Conservation Crew. Start your answer with "I am interested in the Canada-U.S. crew"...
- Under Type of National High School Conservation Crew: Check as many that apply. Be sure to check "Local (my region)".
Application Process
Why am I getting an error when I try to apply/login?
Our system works consistently with Internet Explorer or Firefox on a PC, and Safari or Firefox on a Mac. (Do not use Internet Explorer on a Mac.) If you get errors, try deleting temporary internet files and cookies (located under Tools - Internet Options). If you continue to experience problems, please email our admissions department and include a copy of the error message: Admissions@theSCA.org.
What Is Required in the Application?
To apply for the National Conservation Crew Program candidates are required to complete the online application through to submit, have at least one reference form completed and attached, and complete the additional forms: Medical/Physician, and the Parent Signature Page. (The additional forms can be found on the Application & Placement web page.)
Do I have to have a Physician form?
You can submit their school’s yearly sports physical in lieu of our specific physician's form. These forms need to be signed by a licensed nurse practitioner, Physician, or physician's assistant. If you do not have this form available you will need to have the Physicians Recommendation completed and submitted to SCA.
How do I access and complete the online application?
Step 1: Create a profile
To begin an application, you first create a profile. At the top right of any SCA website page, click on login. Under the Create Profile tab, you will be prompted to create a Username and Password. Each SCA program requires its own Username and Password. Creating a profile is only the beginning of the process.
Step 2: Choose a program
If you’re not sure which program you are qualified for or interested in, explore the options in the right hand column: learn about crews, search for internships or search for field leader positions.
Step 3: Begin an application
Login to the profile if not already. Find Access or create your application in the right hand column. Click on it. On the next page you will need to re-enter your password.
Step 4: Adding information and saving
Use the Save & Go Back if you want to check on or change a section you’ve already completed.
Click Save & Continue (or Save as Complete & Continue) to finish filling out your application right away, or if you need to stop for now, Save & Continue Later. IMPORTANT: You must save each section as it is completed.
Is there a fee to apply?
There is a one-time application fee of $25 ($40 for non-US citizens). A single payment allows you to apply for an unlimited number of positions. You will encounter the fee page after the request for references. You may pay by credit card online or send a check or money order to: SCA Center for Conservation Service, PO Box 550, NH 03603. If you have any questions, please contact Admissions staff at 603.543.1700 ext. 370.
How do I Change the Program Category on My Application?
Once a program category is chosen, it can not be changed. You must create a new Username and Password and fill out a new application if you want to apply for a different – or more than one - program. Please note… If you have paid one application fee and want to apply for a new program, contact Admissions in order to have the fee waived for the second application. Call 603.543.1700 ext. 370 or email us at Admissions@thesca.org.
How do I update my online application?
First, Login to your profile. Once logged on, you will see a link on the right that says "Access or Create My Application". Click the link and enter your password (your username should already be populated - if it is not, simply enter it in).
How do I update my paper application?
Email crews@thesca.org or call 603-543-1700 ext. 496
How do I adjust the availability dates on my application?
First, Login to your profile. Once logged on, you will see a link on the right that says "Access or Create My Application". Click the link and enter your password (your username should already be populated - if it is not, simply enter it in).The availability dates section is on the second page, so click 'Save & Continue' on the first page and then scroll to the bottom of the second page to adjust accordingly.
Can I complete an online application from a Mac computer?
Yes. Many browsers are compatible such as Firefox and Mozilla. Do not use Internet Explorer for a Mac.
How can I update my email address?
Applicants can update their email addresses, first Login to your website profile. You will note tabs on your profile page, click on “Edit” to update your email address. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Save”.
How do I know that my application was successfully submitted and complete?
You should receive an email shortly after hitting the submit button confirming that your application has been received. This email also gives you links to the Crew Signature Form and Medical Forms. If you did not receive this, please check your email account's 'Spam Folder Inbox' and make certain that SCA emails are welcome. If you are not receiving emails, and have checked your Spam filter, ensure that the email address on your application/profile is correct and does not have any spaces either before of after.
Review Process
When should I have my application complete by? Are there any deadlines?
SCA accepts applications on a rolling basis. We do suggest that candidates look at our timeline to best know when we are reviewing and selecting, in order to have the best experience.
- November through field season - Ongoing review of applicants
- March through May - SCA sends placements to all selected applicants
When are crews in the field?
We have three tracks when our crews go into the field. The majority of our crews are 30 days in length, but we also have some that are 15, 21 or 35 days long.
- June 10th - Track 1 crews begin
- July 8th - Track 2 crews begin
- July 22nd - Track 3 crews begin
How are crews organized?
There are between 6-8 members per crew who are similar in age but diverse in experience and backgrounds. Crews generally have two crew leaders, one female and one male. Most crews will be split evenly between boys and girls.
Cost Information
How much equipment do I need to buy?
You will get a generic equipment list once you are selected. Please do not buy all that is on it until you talk with your crew leader about your specific crew. Your leader or our staff in the office can give ideas of what to bring for your specific location.
What will I have to pay for?
You are responsible for travel costs as well as for providing your personal equipment such as boots, backpacks, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad. We suggest that you try to borrow these from a family member or friend rather than buy each item. SCA has some equipment that it can lend and your selection information will give you information about how to borrow something from SCA.
How much cash will I need?
We recommend that you bring about $80 for souvenirs, ice cream, movies, and other small purchases. SCA will provide all necessary food.
How do I apply for financial aid?
A financial aid form will be included in your selection forms. You should submit this completed form to SCA and, if you qualify, we will reimburse you for some of your travel expense. Please note that the financial aid pool is limited, and we may not be able to grant the full amount requested. The maximum award is $400.
Crew Life
How qualified are the crew leaders?
All of our leaders are caring and dedicated outdoor professionals who have a wealth of experience conducting environmental programs and outdoor activities. They come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are attending graduate school; others are school teachers or year-round outdoor leaders. They are all 21 years of age or older and hold current wilderness medicine certifications. Crew leaders have primary responsibility for conducting all aspects of the high school program, including meeting you at the airport, shopping for food, setting-up camp, and conducting the program to ensure the emotional and physical well being of all crew members.
Can I go on a crew with a friend?
We do not place friends on the same crew together. We do this because we feel that an important part of the SCA experience is about getting out on your own and meeting new people.
Can I serve outside of where I am from?
The SCA experience is about doing something totally new and different. Therefore, we encourage applicants to try to go to a location that is outside of where they live. We do, however, encourage people to serve in their local areas as well if they are interested in being closer to home.
Where will I sleep?
Crew members sleep in tents on both front and backcountry programs, and the tents are divided by gender. Crew leaders have separate tents within the camp.
Will I have free time?
There is free time at the end of the day, both before/after dinner. Some evening activities may include swimming, hackey sack or a card game. Each crew also have some days off and the crew will decide as a team what they will do on their time off.
What is a typical day like for a crew?
Crew members usually get up around 6-6:30 AM and take turns preparing breakfast and cleaning up the kitchen and camp site. Everyone then packs a lunch and heads off to the project site. Crews work approximately eight hours -- taking time out for lunch and breaks. At the end of the day the crew members head back to camp and again take turns preparing dinner and cleaning up. Most evenings are unstructured, with time for reading, writing letters, telling stories or playing games.
How will we get fresh drinking water?
The water supply used for cooking and drinking is purified by using iodine, boiling, or a water filter. Front country crews often have drinkable water on site.
Can my parents send me a care package?
Yes. Some backcountry crews do not get mail on a regular basis so be sure to check with the crew leader to see if care packages will be delivered to you. If your parents do send a care package of goodies, they should send enough so that you can share with the entire group.
Can my parents visit me?
If prearranged with the crew leaders, parents can visit the group. However, there are no overnight visits.
I would like to know more about the trip the crew takes after it completes its project.
Trips at the end of the program are all different. Some crew leaders have a plan in mind before the crew members arrive; others wait until they have a chance to observe their members skills or discuss the options with them. The trips range from backpacking for three or four days in nearby mountains, to day trips around the area they have been working in, to a canoe trip on a nearby river.
Travel
How do I get to my crew site and what if I get lost? I’ve never traveled by myself before.
We place hundreds of young people in these programs every summer, and we haven’t lost one yet. You and your parents will schedule and pay for your transportation. You should use whatever method is the most feasible, in most cases this will be a flight that is scheduled to arrive by the time specified on your placement email. Your crew leader will meet you at the airport and provide transportation to the camp site.
Which airport should I use?
It is important that you travel to the airport specified on your placement email and not a larger or cheaper airport. Wear your SCA t-shirt, which will be mailed to you before you need to leave for the crew, so that you can be easily identified by the crew leaders. Your crew leaders will inform you and other members of your crew of travel day details.
Can I bring my cell phone?
Crew leaders carry radios and/or cell phone for emergency use, but we do not allow cell phones for participants. Members are encouraged to travel with a cell phone but are then required to hand them over to the leader
Additional Information
Where does SCA funding come from?
The National Park Service and other partners require SCA to raise funds from the public to match the grants they make to us for the cost of our volunteer programs. Generally, they pay 80 percent of the costs to us and we have to raise the other 20 percent. That funding comes from people like you, foundations, clubs, and corporations.
How can I support SCA?
You may donate directly through our web site by clicking here .
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