Columbia Climate Corps - Traveling Summer Programs

Columbia Climate Corps are small group climate and sustainability-focused traveling programs designed for motivated high school students. These summer programs combine intentional travel with in-depth educational opportunities, taking students across the United States and abroad to experience a destination through the lens of climate change and focus intently on one or two location-specific themes.

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Faculty and staff from the Columbia Climate School will join students on these trips, engaging them in cutting-edge research, leading lectures and facilitating workshops. Led by a dynamic team of experienced group leaders, students gain critical skills and knowledge through excursions and field-based learning activities, discover and develop new and existing passions around climate change, and build lasting friendships with like-minded peers, group leaders, and Columbia Climate School experts.

• Columbia Climate School Summer Programs are designed for and open to students in grades 9-12 across the United States
• Motivated rising 9th grade students will be considered. 

• Rolling

• Completed online application form
• Non-refundable $200 application fee
• $500 enrollment deposit to hold-space in the program 
• A signed Agreement Form
• The contact information for two references. (At least one reference must be a teacher/instructor who knows you from an academic setting, the other can be written by someone who knows you in an extracurricular setting, such as a part-time job, after-school club, etc. No letters from parents or friends are acceptable) 
• Personal Statement (A short statement outlining your interest in this program. 500 words maximum)

• Rolling

Students who wish to link participation in the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains program with a Columbia Climate Corps traveling program are eligible for a dual enrollment discount of $1,000. When beginning an application, applicants may select multiple programs. 

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Scholarship opportunities are made possible with the support of the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation. The Doherty Charitable Foundation Scholarship provides full and partial need-based scholarships for underrepresented students and communities to join the Columbia Climate School Summer Programs.

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Students who meet the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for a Doherty Foundation Scholarship:

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• Current 9-12 grade student (motivated rising 9th grade students will be considered)
• Currently reside in the United States 
  • International students, including U.S. students living abroad, are not eligible to apply
  • Origin of flight or travel to program should be from student’s home address in the USA
• Meet/Consider income eligibility guidelines: 
  • Full Scholarship Financial Eligibility Guidelines
    • Up to 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $50,000.00
    • More than 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $75,000.00 Annually
  • Partial Scholarship Financial Eligibility Guidelines
    • Up to 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $75,000.00 Annually
    • More than 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $100,000.00 Annually
    • Please note: Scholarship applicants must be prepared to share proof of financial eligibility through a copy of your household tax return. If your income is over the eligibility guideline recommendations and you have extenuating circumstances that you would like the Selection Committee to consider, families will be able to include this information on the scholarship application. 
• Have a passion for climate change 
• Show a demonstrated interest in climate advocacy
• Submit a complete scholarship application (information and required materials below) no later than March 15. In order to maintain the equity of the scholarship process, late or incomplete applications will not be considered.