Center for Conservation Leadership
The Center for Conservation Leadership (CCL) provides a variety of resources to teens interested in the environment, nature, conservation and stewardship.
CCL offers a comprehensive environmental education program to middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds with a keen interest in the environment and a passion for the outdoors.
Fostering future environmental leaders, CCL combines environmental education, a residential summer experience, leadership training, community service and mentored internships.
CCL students:
- Learn from passionate people and experienced scientists.
- Canoe, kayak, camp and hike through the forests and waterways of Wisconsin.
- Develop leadership skills.
- Make new and lasting friendships and become members of a strong team that cares about our environment.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
A student’s initial involvement with CCL is through the Certificate Program, a year-long program targeted to students completing 8th and 9th grades in the 2011-12 school year.
There are three primary parts of the Certificate Program:
- Three-week summer residential experience in northern Wisconsin;
- School year educational workshops, workdays, field trips and gatherings focused on a variety of environmental issues;
- A mentored group or individual stewardship project.
Students who complete the Certificate Program are invited to work in subsequent summers as interns and participate in service and learning expeditions to areas outside our region. These opportunities encourage students to become connected to ongoing environmental projects and put their CCL experience to work so that they can make a real difference in the world.
2012 Certificate Program dates: June 11- June 28, 2012
HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Students who complete the Certificate Program have the opportunity to work in subsequent summers as interns with the CCL High School Internship Program. In addition to a five week internship with Lake Forest Open Lands Association or a CCL partner organization, High School Interns participate in service and learning experiences outside our region. Students become connected to ongoing environmental projects and make a difference in the world as they put into practice what they have learned.
Program dates: June 18 – August 1, 2012.
School Year Workshops, Field Trips and Guest Speakers
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Student learning does not end with the last day of the summer experience. Students in the certificate program explore environmental topics during the school year through a wide variety of field trips, workshops, workdays and environmental seminars.
In past years students have debated issues of environmental justice before experienced environmental lawyers, met with passionate environmentalists who have followed their passion to action, cooked healthy meals from local organic agricultural sources, toured a LEED-certified corporate headquarters with the award-winning architect, and worked alongside scientists conducting research on a vessel on Lake Michigan.
INTERNSHIPS AND TRIPS
Students who complete the CCL Certificate Program have the opportunity to work as interns during subsequent summers. These environmental internships are with Lake Forest Open Lands and other partner organizations. Students have a choice of exciting and various areas including environmental education, land management, habitat restoration, animal care, gardening, river monitoring and much more.
Students also participate in service learning trips to areas outside the Chicago and Midwestern regions. Through these trips, teens learn about the human and natural connections between different eco-systems. CCL students have visited and worked in southern Louisiana and New Orleans among other places.
PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP
CCL believes that students learn best when they are able to make connections to their local communities. Upon return from the summer adventure, each CCL student begins a stewardship project in his/her community. Students are paired with adult mentors who guide them through the project, giving advice and encouragement when needed.
In the spring students present their projects at a formal certificate ceremony, an event celebrating earth stewardship and the impact that each student has had on his or her community.
Space in the Center for Conservation Leadership is limited. We accept up to 20 students for the Certificate Program. Applicants may download the
application from this website or obtain a hard copy by contacting CCL at 847-234-8388 or through
email.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Certificate Program:
- You must have completed 8th or 9th grade in 2012.
- You must agree to participate in all three components of the program (see above).
- Submit a reference letter. Give the reference letter s to a teacher or an adult who knows you well but is not in your family. They should send the letter directly to CCL. Make sure they know it is due by March 16, 2012.
- Submit all application materials including a $100 non-refundable deposit by March 16, 2012.
- If applying for scholarship, submit financial aid materials by March 16, 2012.
High School Internship (Returning Student):
- You must have completed the certificate program.
- You must be able to attend the entire six week summer internship, June 18 – August 1, 2012. This includes a five week internship and a week long trip. The dates of this internship may be flexible, depending upon your internship placement and other summer commitments. Trip dates have not been finalized. Please check our website, www.LFOLA.org, for updates.
- Submit an essay on a separate piece of paper indicating your reasons for wanting to work as an intern through CCL.
- Submit all materials by March 16, 2012.
In addition all new applications must include the following:
Fees
The comprehensive fee for tuition, room, board, transportation and activities is:
- $3,250 for the Certificate Program.
Financial assistance is available. Interested applicants should include a parental statement indicating need, qualifications or special circumstances. A copy of the most recent tax return must also be attached. If you qualify for free lunch at school, please send that documentation.
The High School Internship is an unpaid internship. The cost of the trip is $1,600. The student’s work during the internship offsets the amount of the trip.
All High School Interns must submit a non-refundable deposit of $250 with their application.
For questions please
email or call 847.234.8388.