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Science-U

Ecology Camp: The Wild Wonders of Your Own Backyard

About the Camp

Ecologists-in-training will spend a week traveling to ecologically important locations in Centre County, exploring unique water resources and ecosystems, and learning about the flora and fauna of our region. Daily hands-on “Creature Features” will give campers the opportunity to learn to identify fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Campers will also use kick seines and hand nets in streams and ponds to sample, identify, and access invertebrate life as bioindicators of water quality. During the week, campers will paddle a canoe in our watershed, hike in ecologically significant areas, tour a fish hatchery, identify important trees, learn about acid mine damage to streams, build water filters, and gain awareness, understanding, and appreciation for the wild wonders of Centre County.

Please note: our camp is instructed in local and sometimes remote outdoor environments, including mountain tops, rocky trails, swamps, streams, and lake shore locations. Our activities will include several hikes of 2–3 miles, wading in swamps and streams, and participating in a guided 3.7-mile canoe trip on Bald Eagle Creek from Milesburg to Curtin Village.

Details

Dates: July 29-Aug 2, 2024 (Monday-Friday)

Price: $425

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: University Park 

Grades: Students entering grades 6-8 in Fall 2024

Lunch and Snacks: Activity breaks will be taken each day to allow kids to eat their nut free snacks that they brought from home. Campers should pack a nut free lunch Monday through Thursday. Pizza will be provided on Friday.

Questions?

Contact us via email at sciencecamps@science.psu.edu or give us a call at (814) 865-0083.

 Office of Science Outreach, 201 Ritenour Building, University Park, PA 16802

For more information, please see Information for Parents from the Penn State Office of Ethics and Compliance.