Soil & Water - Resource Conservation Workshop

The Resource Conservation Workshop is a weeklong workshop and involves study and hands on participation in a wide range of conservation topics.  Students are housed at NC State University campus dormitories under the guidance of live-in counselors.  In order to achieve success, students should come prepared to meet the primary objective of the workshop; learning about natural resources and their management in today's global environment.  Awards and scholarships can be won and are presented to students under several awards programs.

For an insider's look at activities during the Resource Conservation Workshop, please see a promotional video prepared by the Durham Soil & Water Conservation District.

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Planned event dates for 2026: June 14 - June 19

The Resource Conservation Workshop is designed to accommodate up to 90 students.  Students who have demonstrated an interest in natural resource conservation and are nominated by a local soil and water conservation district are eligible.  High school graduates are not eligible to attend.  The districts should give priority to rising juniors and seniors.  Students may participate only one time in this workshop.  Student slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, as registrations with specific student's names are received.

  • Conservation District Employees Association Award:  $1,000 college scholarship
    • Student interested in subject matter, not only respecting and responding to teachers but also participating in activities
    • Student planning for higher education in field of Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or other related subject
    • Student must achieve 75% or higher on the final examination administered at the RCW
    • Preference will be given to a student who is related to a district employee
    • Student may have financial need
  • Billy and Regina Kilpatrick Scholarship:  $1,000 college scholarship
    • The purpose of this scholarship is to assist a student who attends a college or university to study a field tied to conservation or agriculture.  The scholarship is designed to perpetuate future careers in fields connect to protecting the resources needed to further a sustainable agricultural economy.
    • Student must be interested in soil and water conservation and have intent to pursue a course of study in discipline pertaining to soil and water conservation
    • Student must demonstrate interest, cooperation, a positive attitude, and excellent behavior throughout the RCW
    • Preference will be given to a student whose family is currently active in a soil and water conservation district
    • Student may have financial need
  • S. Grady Lane Award:  $100 cash and $500 college scholarship
    • Student must be interested in soil and water conservation and have intent to pursue a course of study in discipline pertaining to soil and water conservation
    • Student must achieve 75% or higher on the final examination administered at the RCW
    • Student must demonstrate interest, cooperation, a positive attitude, and excellent behavior throughout the RCW
    • Preference will be given to a student whose family is currently active in a soil and water conservation district
    • Student must have financial need
  • Five other RCW Awards:
    • Winners are selected using academic scores from the final examination administered at the RCW
      • 1st Place:  $100 cash and $500 college scholarship
      • 2nd Place:  $100 cash and $275 college scholarship
      • 3rd Place:  $100 cash
      • 4th Place:  $75 cash
      • 5th Place:  $50 cash

Get Your Hands Dirty & Your Mind Blown at the Resource Conservation Workshop!
Ready to swap screen time for stream time? The Resource Conservation Workshop is a weeklong deep dive into the world of conservation, where you’ll explore natural resources, tackle real-world environmental challenges, and get hands-on with soil, water, forestry, and wildlife. This isn’t just sitting in a classroom—think field studies, outdoor adventures, and behind-the-scenes tours of conservation hotspots. Plus, evening sessions help you navigate college and career choices (because, let’s be real, adulting is coming). Oh, and did we mention scholarships and awards are up for grabs?

You'll be living the college life at NC State, staying in dorms, meeting awesome people, and learning at places like Williams Hall, Lake Wheeler Soils Field Lab, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, and Clemmons State Educational Forest. It’s the perfect mix of hands-on science, outdoor exploration, and future-planning.

Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District in mid-January for more information 🌿💧🌎

Applications will open in mid-January. Program participants are selected through their local Soil and Water Conservation District. To find your SWCD visit here. 

Suggestions for selecting and supporting students:

  1. Decide if the district intends to sponsor one or more students - cost for 2026 event is $625 registration fee, per student
  2. Promote the event and application process opening January 15, 2026
  3. District close applications March 31, 2026
  4. District get board approval month of April - choose a student delegate and one alternate (or whatever your budget will allow)
  5. Contact your student delegate and secure their commitment to attend the workshop
  6. District submit participant name(s) to NCSU by May 1, 2026
  7. Families finish Report registration by May 15, 2026
  8. Arrange transportation for your student to and from Raleigh
  9. Arrange for local publicity in your district
  10. Ask your student to attend your district's board meeting both before and after the workshop to learn workshop objectives and report on their workshop experience

Interested in serving as a Counselor and supporting this life-changing experience for students?  

 

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