Science Camp centers around providing accredited science education in a nontraditional outdoor classroom. Students engage with curriculum based on Arizona’s Next Generation Science Standards while playing, exploring, and practicing the scientific method outside.
In three action-packed days of collaborative learning, challenge courses, adventures, and memory-making, students will bond with their group and learn about their role in the environment around them. With our facilitators handling meals and programming, teachers can relax and enjoy the camp experience right along with their students.
Science camp is an all-inclusive experience! Meals, lodging, coursework, and a myriad of fun team-building activities are rolled into one package. Our full program includes two nights, five meals, eight classes, and your choice of add-on activities: ropes courses, campfires, and game nights.
However, we know that every group has its own set of needs. If you only have an afternoon or would like to pick and choose from our classes, we’ll create a custom itinerary for you.
11:00-1:00 | Arrival & Lunch
1:15 - 5:00 | 3 Periods
5:30 - 6:30 | Dinner
7:00 - 8:30 | Evening Activity
8:30 - 9:30 | Prepare for Bed
7:30 - 8:30 | Breakfast
9:15 - 11:45 | 2 Periods
12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch
1:00 - 4:45 | 3 Periods
5:30 - 6:30 | Dinner
7:00 - 8:30 | Evening Activity
8:30 - 9:30 | Prepare for Bed
7:00 - 7:30 | Pack Luggage
7:30 - 8:30 | Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45 | Stage Luggage
8:45 | Group Photo
9:00 | Busses Depart
Each of our classes is uniquely aligned with specific NGSS learning objectives, from ecosystems and earth science to energy and dynamics.
Enjoy the beauty of the Prescott National Forest via one of the many scenic trails. Students will discuss the difference between an ecosystem and environment and learn about different ways local flora and fauna survive in the high desert.
Standards:
MS-LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
Students will learn about how wildfires are a healthy process for desert environments and how humans utilize prescribed burns to protect the health of the forest and those who live in the area. Students will build a campfire using kindling, twigs and logs and use their fire-building lesson to predict what might happen to the area around them during a fire.
Standards:
MS-LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
A treasure hunt for the 21st century! Students will learn how to use GPS devices to track down different caches around camp. At each cache, students will observe different animal markings that will help lead them to the secret final cache!
Standards:
MS-LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics
MS-LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
LS4.C: Adaptation
Students will discover the relationship between kinetic and potential energy through archery, using bows and arrows to put learning into action.
Standards:
MS-PS3: Energy
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
Students will predict what goes into building a secure shelter in the woods and discuss the problems they might encounter. After studying the different ways people build strong shelters, they will put their own plans to the test using natural resources.
Standards:
MS-ETS1: Engineering Design
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
Students will learn how the physical and behavioral adaptations of desert owls make them elite predators in this region. Later, they will have a chance to dissect an owl pellet and log the abundance and diversity of the owl’s diet.
Standards:
MS-LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
LS4.B: Natural Selection
LS4.C: Adaptation
Students will learn about the different stages of the water cycle and how they specifically relate to desert environments like ours. They will then discuss the different ways pollutants can enter the cycle and brainstorm how to minimize human impact in their everyday lives.
Standards:
MS-ESS2: Earth’s Systems
MS-ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
ESS3.A: Natural Resources
ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Students will acquire a deeper appreciation for rocks while gaining a geological perspective on landscape formation.
Standards:
MS-ESS2: Earth’s Systems
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions
The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down! We love to fill our evenings with classic camp activities like s’more making, storytelling, after-dark games, and reflecting on the day’s adventures together.
Our facilitators tell stories, teach students camp songs and host fireside games. After the singing and storytelling, students roast marshmallows over the fire and enjoy s’mores with one another.
On game night, students will split up into small groups to work together on tasks assigned by their teachers and chaperones. Then, it’s a race to see which team can fulfill the most tasks by the night’s end! Laughter and silliness are sure to fill the room.
