Student Volunteer Program
WHEN
February 26 - March 18
March 26 - April 16
WHERE
Terlingua, TX
COST
Free
Spring 2023 Student Volunteer Program
February 26 - March 18
March 26 - April 16
The School of Constructive Arts is recruiting Students interested in regenerative construction, agriculture, ecology, and experiential learning. The Student Volunteer program is at the core of SCA’s plan to teach through building and build through teaching. Student Volunteers learn a range of skills while working on building facilities for future student volunteers to use. In addition to building projects, past Student Volunteers have helped organize community events, taught arts workshops, and participated in field trips to Ojinaga, The Chinati Foundation, The McDonald Observatory, and Big Bend National Park. Student Volunteers are central to SCA’s self-sustaining, free-education model and essential to realizing its mission.
Timeline
The Spring 2023 Volunteer term is divided into two three-week sessions with a one-week break in the middle. Session 1 will be held from February 26 to March 18, and Session 2 from March 26 to April 16. You may sign up for one or both sessions.
Activities
Efforts will be concentrated on assisting with building projects and two upcoming workshops in March and April. Primary work will include producing compressed earth blocks, helping construct two earthen buildings, and assisting with workshop preparations and operations. Additional work may include site cleanup and maintenance, expansion of our low-water vegetable garden and irrigation systems, and restoration activities in the region. The Big Bend region is ecologically and culturally rich. In the past, we have taken Student Volunteers on field trips including a tour of the Chinati Foundation, a visit to the McDonald Observatory, visits to significant earthen buildings in the region, an adobe-making workshop in Estación, Mexico, and overnight backpacking trips in Big Bend National Park and Davis Mountains State Park. Through our connections with various communities in the Big Bend, we will help facilitate individual and group exploration of this magnificent place.
Housing
Facilities are limited at this time and accommodations are rustic to rugged. Provided lodging includes canvas tents, cots, outdoor showers, composting toilets, and camp stoves as we work together to construct the first buildings of our campus. Living in a communal setting, close to the land with simple accommodations is part of the educational experience. That said, volunteers are welcome to bring their own tents, campers, trailers, RV, or other accommodations to make life more comfortable and we are happy to discuss and work to accommodate your specific needs or concerns.
For more information and to apply, please contact us for an application.
The School of Constructive Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit 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.
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