Headwaters Science Institute had an amazing summer of camps! We hosted day camps at three separate locations: Carpenter Valley, Serene Lakes, and Kirkwood. At each week-long camp, campers investigated a research question related to the week’s theme. The weekly themes included water, plants and wildflowers, and bugs and insects.
Campers came up with inquisitive questions and it was easy for campers to think large and want to attempt to answer some of science’s most looming questions. We reminded them that they had to be able to answer their question while at camp, but their natural curiosity makes us sure that they are true scientists in the making. Some questions that campers settled on included, “Where do we find the most animals?” Is the drinking water lake actually cleaner than the swimming lake at Serene Lakes?”, “Are there more bugs in the meadow or the forest and why might that be?”
Campers collecting macroinvertebrates to assess stream health in Carpenter Valley
Campers came up with inquisitive questions and it was easy for campers to think large and want to attempt to answer some of science’s most looming questions. We reminded them that they had to be able to answer their question while at camp, but their natural curiosity makes us sure that they are true scientists in the making. Some questions that campers settled on included, “Where do we find the most animals?” Is the drinking water lake actually cleaner than the swimming lake at Serene Lakes?”, “Are there more bugs in the meadow or the forest and why might that be?”
Taking in the view at Serene Lakes
Campers learned the scientific process, all the way from observing what’s around them to presenting their data and findings to an audience. For some campers, it was their first time observing the natural world through a scientific lens and being able to facilitate their curiosity is important in their development as young scientists.
Webber Lake campers presenting their preliminary findings to fellow campers and members of the community who joined for a docent hike through the Truckee Donner Land Trust
In addition, we also hosted two overnight week-long camps at Webber Lake; one was our Environmental Science Research camp and the other was our Girls Science camp. It was an amazing week of focused science and also time to enjoy being outside. Students at these camps fully immersed in the scientific process and eventually created online presentations that were available for the public to watch.
We had a successful summer of science and fun and hope to see many returning campers next year!
