I am reaching out to let you know we are hiring crew members for the 2026 Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps (CCLC) program! This is a 5-week summer paid internship for high school youth that takes place in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. We’re looking for any student who loves nature and being outside or wants to get a feel for hands-on work. The program provides transportation to reach the work site.
Attached is a flyer and a more detailed job description with information about the program, both with an application link. I am also attaching an FAQ sheet for any questions. We would greatly appreciate it if you could post this at your school or share it with any students who might benefit.
The deadline to apply is April 19th.
Application: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/eaVXCWWABwIXNrxD6t6f6IoT8br?domain=forms.office.com
FAQs:
The Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps program (CCLC) is a five-week conservation service-learning experience where high school youth learn job skills. Selected individuals will participate in crews that will consist of 10 high school students, one assistant young adult leader, and two adult crew leaders.
As a team, the crew will perform ecological restoration and trail maintenance projects in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Each Wednesday, students will participate in field days learning about the local ecology and the environment at various sites throughout the region.
Q: What are the age requirements to participate in the program?
A: Students must be 15-18 years old by program start and enrolled in high school or be a 2026 high school graduate.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: The program will run from June 29 th to July 30 th . Students work Monday-Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM, 26 hours/week and receive a wage of $15/hr. The 4 th of July is an unpaid day off.
If a student misses more than 3 days of work they will be dismissed from the program and will forfeit the remaining pay. There are no exceptions for family vacations or summer school.
Q. What if I don’t live near the Forest Preserves…how will I get to work?
We provide centrally located pick-up locations for youth that don’t live near a preserve or lack a personal family vehicle. If you are being picked up by your crew leader you must be at the designated pick-up location by 7:30 AM. Local participants are encouraged to meet on site at one of the following summer locations to participate. Adult leaders use vans to pick up and drop off youth at the central pick-up locations and must have a clean driving record.
Work sites are as follow for the summer:
Little Red School House, Willow Springs, IL 60480
River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, IL 60062
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont, IL 60439
Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland, IL 60473
Q: What exactly do students do and where do they work?
A: Students will spend their first week learning job skills that will prepare them for the program and give them skills that they can use in the future. They then engage in rewarding and valuable physical work outdoors on conservation projects in the Forest Preserves of Cook County including trail work, invasive species removal, and nature center projects. Throughout each week time will be devoted to learning about the local ecology and environment. Once a student is hired, they will usually be placed at the forest preserve work site that is closest to their home.
Q: How can I improve my chances of getting into the program?
A: We highly encourage you to spend time thinking about and answering the essay section of your application. If you can, consider visiting or volunteering (if safe to do so) at a local forest preserve or nature center to learn more about what setting you may be working in or what type of work you will be doing this summer. We receive many applications and are looking for students that are excited about working in the Forest Preserves and helping our environment.
APPLY BY: April 19th .
Q: Who do I contact with additional questions?
A: For more information, please contact:
Samuel Vergara
svergara@thesca.org
Chicago Program Manager
Student Conservation Association