D20 is interested in a summer pre-college program focused on field ecology, environmental studies, agriculture, or botany (wide range of interests, for sure). So far we’ve found:
- College of the Atlantic Islands Through Time program
- Summer in Sewanee Pre-College Field Studies program
- Smith College Field studies in sustainability program
- Mount Holyoke Restoration Ecology Summer Program - have to be local
Any reviews of these programs or other recommendations? Probably looking for a 1-3 week experience (vs. longer) and of course affordability would be great!
The most affordable option I’m aware of is Nature Camp, which at $940 for two weeks is less than a third of the cost of some of these options. It’s also excellent. It’s in a gorgeous setting and very hands-on, with passionate and well-informed instructors (seniors in college or grad students, but they know their stuff). You “major” in a subject and immerse yourself in it, but are also taught other subjects. The subjects are things like field ecology, botany, herpetology, etc. It’s been around since the 1940s and has an impeccable reputation. I went myself as a youth and felt my time there was really formative. It’s in a summer camp setting without air conditioning, but since it’s in the mountains it never gets too hot, and gets quite cool at night. You don’t get college credit, but at least when I was there it was both hands-on and academic. We had tests and essays, etc. as well as field experiments. It truly was an outdoor classroom, since we only learned inside when it was raining. I think it’s for the kid who wants an immersive outdoors ecology experience but doesn’t care about prestige. Although I imagine many of the Virginia colleges are aware of it.
https://naturecamp.net/
Thanks so much, @rosemaryandthyme – I’ve never heard of this! Grateful for the info.
Hello, You might explore the Organization of Biological Field Stations (www.obfs.org).
Member stations’ summer programs are mostly for college students, but some have partner high school programming. Located around the world, field stations are typically affiliated with universities or operated as non-profit organizations (especially in Central America). The website above has a map and list of stations’ websites and contact info.
Many field stations offer unadvertised/informal, short-term (one or a few day) shadow and early-career programming for high school students as well as more formal instruction/courses. Benefits of shadowing or volunteering include little to no cost and a real-world experience working with knowledgeable, engaging scientists, graduate student researchers and educators.
Disclaimer: I’m an ecologist and administrator of a 15,000 acre field station in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of New York, operated by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - see www.esf.edu/newcomb). For undergrad and graduate degree programs, ESF is well-known for immersive, hands-on ecology and environmental studies. ESF students are eligible to take courses and use facilities at Syracuse University next door - at public school cost.
Good luck!
Thanks @Spdackers, super helpful!
In case future readers are curious about the same topic: D20 ended up applying to Drexel’s Environmental Science Leadership Academy in the Poconos https://drexel.edu/coas/academics/high-school-programs/desla/
1 week, easy application, more affordable than most, amazing facilities (at least from the photos), good reviews for optimal mix of fun + science.
And a final follow-up for future readers: Drexel’s DESLA program at Camp Lacawac in the Poconos was terrific. Highly recommended. D20 had a great time and the program faculty did a wonderful job introducing the 14 or so participants to several aspects of fishery ecology, lake chemistry, and forest ecology. DESLA also has an ocean ecology program on the Jersey Shore and a mountain/desert program in (?) Yellowstone I think.