Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3)
The nation’s premier student leadership training for rising 9th-12th grade students since 2008.
If you are driven to create positive change in the world, the Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3) invites rising 9-12 grade students to participate in America’s most prestigious student leadership program for aspiring change-makers at the nation’s heart of environmental and climate leadership.
The Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3) and its Fellowship Program, were established in 2008 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior and the Green Schools Alliance to recognize and honor distinguished high school students who are, or aspire to become, climate & conservation catalysts in their schools and communities. In 2010, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrated innovation and impact beyond the school campus in their greater community. In 2016, the program was again extended to recognize students demonstrating a commitment to sustainable solutions through impact in any of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Training extraordinary youth leaders since 2008, Sc3 is a week-long leadership program convened annually at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center (NCTC). Each year, anywhere from 50-100 high school students are named as Fellows and invited to participate in the Student Congress
Participants, known as ‘Sc3 Fellows,’ spend one exceptional week learning from faculty and world-renowned experts. Through discussion, networking, and hands-on experience, they will explore the environmental, social, and economic interconnections that impact climate change, environmental justice, and natural resource conservation, and the challenges & opportunities facing their generation in an ever-changing world.
Turn your passion into action.
Become a Global Leader in your Community at Sc3.
What is SC3?
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."
— Baba Dioum
“Sc3 envisions a world where every person is aware of and accountable for the impact they have in creating an environmentally, economically, and equitably sustainable future.” –GSA
Developed by the Green Schools Alliance (GSA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), Sc3 educates, trains and empowers outstanding student environmental leaders with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to address climate change and natural resource conservation challenges, as informed change agents within their communities. Whether through the arts, humanities or sciences, youth leadership is needed more than ever and comes in all forms.
Since 2008, Sc3 has inspired and prepared the next generation of stewards to follow in the footsteps of climate and conservation leaders and advocates who have come before. Sc3 alumni Fellows have gone on to top universities and colleges, and many have become leaders in their schools, communities and chosen careers.
Read letter to inaugural class of U.S. Green Schools Fellows by Senator Schumer, 2008 here.
Sc3 History
Learn about the state of the art NCTC campus here
There is no other facility in the United States for aspiring young change-makers that rivals the purpose and experience of the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC).
The NCTC campus 'footprint' comprises a little over 100 acres, leaving more than 400 acres of natural habitats untouched, including old fields and meadows, deciduous forests, the Potomac River, and shoreline springs, creeks, ponds, small wetlands, and moss-covered limestone cliffs. Days feature a combination of project-based learning, outdoor activities, and quality time enjoying the extraordinary community of students worldwide participating in this one-of-a-kind summer program. Our trip together down the Potomac is one of the week's many highlights.
<Click arrows below to scroll through our Sc3 gallery>
The Program
What Calls you? What problems do you want to solve?
How will you be a global citizen in your school and community?
Through open space collaboration, the Sc3 Sustainability Leadership Training program connects “Student Fellows” with nature and place, each other, and experts in their fields. Sc3 is a unique shared experience that:
Guides you through a program that helps you to identify your global concerns, the problem you want to solve and inspires meaningful action.
Engages you in an immersive campus environment through a program mentored by experts and sustainability thought leaders in the sustainability field.
Inspires innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and bold project action that fosters meaningful, measurable, positive impact based on each student’s interests.
Empowers you with the skills & tools to influence change in your homes, schools, community and beyond.
Sc3 empowers our Student Fellows to turn their passion to action through a range of practical leadership skills.
"Sc3 is where I found a community who was as committed to sustainability as I was, and that was a really rewarding experience. I went home with new friendships and a notebook full of new ideas to change my community."
- Soumya, Sc3 Fellow
Tuition
Standard $1,995
This rate covers all of the costs associated with running the program.
Reduced $1,595
This rate covers only the individual student costs while at Sc3 including room, board, and the Potomac River paddle trip.
Available upon request.
Scholarships Available
Need-based scholarship funding is available for students who are unable to participate at either of the other rates.
Admission to Sc3 is need-blind and will not be influenced by requesting aid. While scholarship funds are limited, we will do our best to ensure that the tuition is not an unsurmountable barrier to participation.
A supplemental application is required and funds are subject to availability. Please complete the need-based aid application which follows the admissions application at the bottom of this page.
SC3 Fellow Awards
Sc3 Fellow Awards are given to Sc3 Senior Fellows who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment required to make a lasting difference in their community and in the world.
"Sc3 was an incredible opportunity to meet people who are as passionate about sustainability as I am. It exposed me to an amazing network of extremely qualified and dedicated individuals who have inspired me to never give up in my environmental pursuits. They have taught me priceless things about the world I live in and just exactly what needs to be done to change it for the better."
- Jax, Sc3 Fellow
APPLY TO Sc3
BECOME A SPONSOR
DONATE A SCHOLARSHIP
Financial support allows us to offset our costs and offer more scholarships so Sc3 can be possible for any student who wishes to attend.
RECOMMEND A STUDENT
Know a high school student who would be perfect for Sc3? Please let us know.
Contact us at
Sc3@greenschoolsalliance.org
NEED-BASED AID APPLICATION
" I've never been in such an inspiring environment before; everyone was so passionate about the same thing, and yet I was able to learn something new from everyone. I felt like I was capable of making a change, and Sc3 not only instilled in me the motivation and the skills I needed to do so, but also reminded me of the importance of collaboration."
— Jessie, Sc3 Fellow 2017