Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3)

The nation’s premier student leadership training for all rising 9th-12th grade students since 2008.

Driven to be a change-maker?
Become a Climate & Conservation Fellow!

National Conservation Training Center of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (NCTC)

Where:

Annually in June-July
2025 Dates: June 29-July 5

When:

Rising 9th to 12th grade students

Who:

*Open to all students US and Internationally

Hear NCTC talk about Sc3 here and here.

If you are a rising 9-12 grade student driven to create positive change in the world, this program is for you. Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3) is America’s most prestigious student leadership program for aspiring change-makers.

Sc3 Fellows spend one exceptional week learning from faculty, world-renowned experts and each other at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), a facility at the heart of our nation’s environmental and climate leadership. Through discussion, networking, and hands-on experience, students explore the environmental, social, and economic interconnections that impact climate change, environmental justice, and natural resource conservation, grappling with the challenges & opportunities facing us all.

Sc3 has trained extraordinary youth leaders annually since 2008. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior and the Green Schools Alliance established Sc3 to recognize and honor distinguished high school students who are, or aspire to become, climate & conservation catalysts in their schools and communities. 

Turn your passion into action.

Become a leader in your community through 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

<Click arrows below to scroll through our Sc3 gallery>

  “Sc3 was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Absolutely life-changing!”  – Arielle, Sc3 2024 Alum

Learn about NCTC’s the state-of-the-art 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 comprises a little over 100 acres and is surrounded by more than 400 acres of untouched natural habitats, including fields and meadows, deciduous forests, the upper reaches of the Potomac River—with its shoreline springs—creeks and 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 who participate in this one-of-a-kind summer program. Our canoe and kayaking trip down the Potomac is one of the week's many highlights.

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, with each other, and with experts in their fields.  Sc3 is a unique experience that:

  • Engages you in an immersive environment in which you are mentored by experts and thought leaders in sustainability.

  • Helps you identify your global concerns and the problems you want to solve.

  • Fosters innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and bold project action.

  • Inspires you to meaningful, measurable, positive impacts based on your interests. 

  • Empowers you with the skills & tools to influence change in your home, school, 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 is for students requiring financial assistance. It does not support program overhead but it does cover student costs at Sc3.

Available upon request.

Scholarships Available

Scholarship funding is available for students who are unable to participate at our standard or standard-reduced rate.

Admission to Sc3 is need-blind and is not influenced by request for aid. Scholarship funds are limited, but we will do our best to accommodate every admitted student. Click the box at the end of the application below to begin your financial aid application process.

Sc3 APPLICATION REQUEST

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?

Let us know us at

Sc3@greenschoolsalliance.org

"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

 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.

Developed by the Green Schools Alliance (GSA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), Sc3 has trained and empowered outstanding student environmental leaders to address climate change and natural resource conservation challenges since 2008.

In 2010, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrated innovation and impact beyond the school campuses in their greater communities. 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).  

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

" 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