This Fall we will host our 10th Student Volunteer Program. Student Volunteers get a combination of hands-on experience and formal instruction in the many aspects of regenerative design and building while living on our campus in beautiful Big Bend. The education, meals, and lodging are provided free of charge. In turn student volunteers help build facilities for the benefit of the next generation of students. This “teach through building - build through teaching” approach allows us to make high-level, experience-based education available at no cost to more students every year. Student Volunteers are the heart of SCA’s self-sustaining, free-education model and essential to realizing our mission.
Providing our educational experience free to students is central to the ethos of SCA. We believe requiring payment not only excludes many who would benefit most from this experience, but also fundamentally changes the nature of the experience. This program is a gift we are giving to our students, offered by not only the active staff and volunteers, but also by countless others who have given so that future students may benefit. In the same spirit of reciprocity, the work our Student Volunteers take part in while at SCA is part of the education and should not be understood as a work trade, but as a gift to future students.
It costs about $1,900 per student to host these programs. Because of the nature of the education, we need one paid staff member for every 4-5 students, and we cover 100% of food and lodging. As the cost of everything rises, it is becoming more challenging for us to host these programs. Every dollar we are able to raise helps us offset these costs and make this education accessible to more students. If you are interested in participating but can't make it out to Big Bend, sponsoring a Student Volunteer is a direct way to be a part of this transformational experience.
Dates
November 2nd - 24th 2026
Activities
We have expanded our curriculum to include more foundational learning as a basis for understanding. Work throughout the program may include finishing the interior of our outhouse, construction of a shade structure, experimenting with novel natural materials, finish carpentry, and practicing drylands restoration techniques. Our planned activities may change based on weather, material availability, changes in scheduling, etc.
In addition to this hands-on education, we will spend dedicated classroom time on the various aspects of regenerative design and building including but not limited to:
- Earth Science
-
Natural and Recycled Materials
- Dirt Lab
- Sun, Wind, and Water to Power, Heat, and Cool
- Whole Cycle Waste and Water Systems
- Building with the Land - Agriculture, Integration, and Land Repair
- Wildlands, Communities, and Commons
Location
The Big Bend region is ecologically and culturally rich. Our campus is located between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, in an international biosphere reserve, within the largest dark sky preserve in the world. In the past, we have facilitated field trips to Marfa, the Chinati Foundation, the McDonald Observatory, and to significant earthen buildings in the region. We have led activities such as an adobe-making workshop in Estación, Mexico, and overnight backpacking trips in Big Bend National Park, and Davis Mountains State Park. These outside trips are optional and are chosen on a case by case basis with each group of students. Aside from any group trips we will help facilitate individual exploration of this magnificent place.
Accommodations
Provided accommodations are simple and rustic as we are in the process of building our campus. Students sleep on cots in large canvas tents and share outdoor showers and basic composting toilet facilities. A well provisioned communal kitchen and living space is set up in another large canvas tent. Tents are equipped with wood-burning stoves for heating. Food will be provided, and students and staff will all take part in cooking communal meals. Living in a communal setting, close to the land with simple accommodations is part of the educational experience. That said, we have plenty of space and students are welcome to bring their own tents, campers, trailers, RV’s, or other accommodations to make life more comfortable. If your application is accepted we will contact you directly to discuss specifics and will work to accommodate your specific needs or concerns.
For more information, please contact us.
The School of Constructive Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We support resilient communities and encourage individuals to study, experiment, and advance models for building and living in healthy relation to the natural environment.