By Kyleigh Sacco, Education Specialist  

“Just seeing (my students) actually giving back to the community as well as learning about the area which they’ve been born and raised in has been great […] because they live in this very small bubble and to be able to pop that bubble and show them the world that they live in is a great experience. And it’s a very educational one.” – Earth Camp Partner Teacher

April showers brought May flowers and now we move into the fore summer drought meaning school is out! Sumer vacation means a break for students, teachers, and some of our educational programs here at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – including Earth Camp. Earth Camp is a program that gets high school students within the greater Tucson area into the natural world (especially our national forests on Mt. Lemmon!)

This program provides an opportunity to participate in environmental conservation, develop leadership skills, and learn about career opportunities in environmental science. Earth Camp was evaluated by an independent evaluator at the University of Arizona with pre- and post-surveys of students to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes resulting from the program. These included measures of program impact on environmental attitudes, environmental learning, interest in learning, self-identity, place connection, interest in visiting national forests, and career interests.  

Earth Campers overlooking the landscape from the top of Mt. Lemmon 

Earth Campers paused to learn about geology on a hike in Catalina State Park 

Earth Campers exploring the flora and fauna at Windy Point on Mt. Lemmon 

During the 2022/23 season, Earth Camp welcomed 47 total students from Flowing Wells High School (FWHS), San Miguel High School (SMHS), and Mica Mountain High School (MMHS). Each session was centered on a theme that allowed for the program to be tailored to student interests; themes included engineering, biosciences, science communication (photo/film specifically), and chemistry. These students got the opportunity to explore the Desert Museum, see the biodiversity of Mt. Lemmon, and work on ecological restoration in Sabino Canyon. 

Camper Reflections:

“I got to camp for the first time which was fun. And also, I got to set up a tent and all that for the first time. I also got to see a scorpion – like the fluorescent scorpions – and I’ve always wanted to see one.” 

“I also really liked how (focused on) teamwork everything was because – I don’t know – it made me feel included. And that’s something that I personally struggle with is being included.” 

“I haven’t really been camping before, so it was a really good experience. And I liked going up Mt. Lemmon again because I haven’t been in a while. I liked going to the creek and stuff. That was cool.” 

“The most memorable part of Earth Camp was the time I spent with my friends in an environment very different from school. I also had a nice time being mentored by adults who have had many different life experiences from me.”

Earth Campers sit around a fire at camp 

For many students, Earth Camp is their very first time camping and interacting with the environment so closely. Although the ecology that we explore during Earth Camp surrounds these students every day, many of them fall within demographics that are not traditionally represented in environmental science. From the aforementioned 2022/23 analysis it was found that of the participants that provided feedback “48% identified as boys; 45% as girls; 1 student identified as transgender and 1 indicated that they preferred not to answer” and “63% indicated that they were Hispanic or Latinx, […] followed by 31% identifying as white and 3% identifying as Black or African American or Native American or Alaskan Native”. Earth Camp demonstrates a commitment to increasing diversity within environmental science from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and our partner organizations. 

Students inspect a mineral with a jeweler’s loupe 

A group of students pause to rest with their AZCC mentor  

Members of the US Forest Service join Earth Camp to share opportunities 

This year’s session was generously funded by the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and United States Forest Service (USFS). These organizations also provided support by sending representatives that shared their personal journeys in environmental science and how students could get involved. Additionally, we worked with the Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) who provided a group of individuals to attend Earth Camp, support camp needs, and share their knowledge with students. Finally, Watershed Management Group (WMG) provided additional support and got students involved in ecological restoration work near the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. You can see Earth Camp’s contributions in the form of basins in the South edge of the parking lot and one-rock dams within an eroded arroyo behind the visitor center! 

“It’s been a great experience getting to help these guys on their journey to get in the environment. We work in conservation so it’s great to see younger generations getting involved. And helping with Earth Camp has been great! I’ve had a great time.” – AZCC Crew Lead

Earth Campers working alongside AZCC to construct one-rock dams in Sabino Canyon 

Testing the stability of a completed one-rock dam constructed during Earth Camp 

Students survey a curb cut at the edge of Sabino Canyon’s parking lot 

An Earth Camper and AZCC crew member clear debris to dig a basin at the edge of Sabino Canyon’s parking lot 

These one-on-one experiences that students got with individuals from contributing organizations had a significant impact. This is demonstrated in the program report which found that “83% of respondents said that participating in Earth Camp made them think about careers they had never thought of before” and “97% of respondents reported that, as a result of the program they intended to do something different in their life.”  

Camper Reflections:

“We were able to talk as a group and were all able to become comfortable with each other. If something was going on, we could talk to each other. It was only a short amount of time, but we were still really comfortable with each other.”  

“It’s a great first experience because you’re surrounded by people that know what they’re doing, and they’ll always help you out. And it’s just fun!”  

“I’m always kind of stuck in my room but being out here in the wilderness feels great. I also do enjoy the atmosphere here. The people here are kind.”

Students use a microscope to pin a native bee specimen 

Students photograph and film a Gila monster at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 

Earth Camper uses a rock to hammer a tent stake into the ground 

Overall, the 2022/23 season of Earth Camp was incredibly rewarding! We are so grateful to be able to provide this unique opportunity and work with so many amazing individuals. The students that attend Earth Camp have bright futures ahead of them and we cannot wait to see what they do next!  

Camper Reflections:

“Even though humans hurt the earth, we can also help it.” 

 “No matter how old or young, you can help the environment in even small ways. Working with different generations is inspiring.” 

“I learned about how many different careers and volunteering positions there are for environmental work, like for the National Forest Foundation or the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, and how important these positions are for resource conservation. I learned that it’s easy to get outdoors, get involved, and make a difference.”