Study of Student Conservation Association Programs

Posted by Search Institute on June 27, 2016

Youth Development through Service to Nature: A Study of Student Conservation Association Programs

The Student Conservation Association partnered with Search Institute to assess the impact of their service experiences on young people’s personal development and readiness for school, work, and life. Pre- and post-program metrics from 484 youth crew members showed significant positive change “in a lot of areas, like 21st century skills, thriving, and civic engagement.” One of the study findings that Search Institute researchers found exciting was that members who developed a strong sense of mattering through their SCA experience were four times more likely to report high levels of both stretching themselves beyond their comfort zones and conservation leadership. Another interesting finding is that the conservation experience promotes civic engagement.

http://www.search-institute.org/blog/youth-development-through-service-to-nature