MANSFIELD, PA— The Institute of Science and the 
Environment at Mansfield University, with sponsorship from Mill Cove, Inc., will hold Earth Camp July 10-13.
The camp for students grades 10-12 is free thanks to a grant from Shell U.S. but will be limited to 20 students.
Campers will receive an introduction to the natural world through hands-on classes, outdoor recreation, teamwork activities, and extracurricular activities. Youth will learn about testing stream water quality, calculating carbon footprints, using GI and ground-penetrating radar systems, flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) to capture geologic and geographic data, and identifying rocks and minerals.
The students will also enjoy hiking, learning natural history and challenging themselves on the ropes course, as well as swimming, fishing, kayaking, bike riding and listening to campfire stories.
Housing, meals and some activities will take place on the Mansfield University campus. Additional field trips will be to Mill Cove Environmental Area, Hills Creek State Park and the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
The first Earth Camp held last year was well attended by middle school students.
“We decided to raise the age this year because high school students are closer to college and starting to think seriously about careers,” said Jennifer Demchak, chair of the MU Department of Geosciences. “The camp gives students a chance to see what careers in environmental science, geology, watershed management, and geography are like, as well as meet professors and ask questions about different fields of study in college.”
The camp program directors this year are Demchak, who specializes in watershed management and environmental assessment, and Assistant Professor Lee Stocks, Jr, who teaches both geography and geology. Additional instructors include college professors and other professionals with a sincere interest in youth and environmental education.
Counselors are carefully selected MU students who spend 24 hours a day with the campers residing in the residence hall and assisting or leading activities. A ratio of one counselor or staff to every 10 campers in maintained and all our counselors have their clearances to work with minors.
Shell U.S. is covering all fees for this camp, including all learning sessions, supplies, field trips, lodging, meals, and camp T-shirt. Again, space is limited to 20 campers.
For more information and to register online, go to mansfield.edu/camps/academic/earth-camp-science-and-the-environment or call the MU Camps and Conferences Office at (570) 662-4851.