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Home > Archive > Mar 22, 2007

It’s Nice to ‘School’ Mother Nature
By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
High school students have an opportunity to learn firsthand about natural resources and the outdoors at the Color Country Natural Resource Camp, May 29 through June 2 at Blue Springs near Panguitch Lake, approximately 40 miles northeast of Cedar City.
Students will participate in outdoor recreation and also learn about the science of natural resources through investigative studies. Two participating students will receive $500 scholarships, and attendees will also have the opportunity to apply for several paid summer internships with Dixie National Forest-Escalante, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, and the city of St. George.
Camp co-director Sandy Ferrell said when the Natural Resource Camp originated more than 10 years ago, the main emphasis was preparing students for careers in natural resources. Over the years, that focus has expanded.
“We've since realized that not very many students will go into careers in natural resources, but nearly all of them will use the outdoors in some way – recreational activities and those kinds of things,” Ferrell said. “One of our main focuses now is that students have an opportunity to be outdoors and to recreate.”
During the week-long camp, students will participate in such activities as mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, target shooting, geo-caching, and archery. Ferrell said it's important to expose students to these activities in order to broaden their horizons and make them aware they can be outdoors and do these types of things.
“We want students to see that those activities are options for them,” she said. “I think a lot of students nowadays are spending too much time at home playing video games or on the Internet, and we just want them to see that there are very rich experiences they can have in the outdoors. We also want them to learn how to participate in outdoor recreational activities responsibly, so that they're not destroying natural resources as they do them.”
In addition to these activities, students will be getting educational experience through conducting and participating in investigative studies as part of the camp's itinerary. Ferrell said campers will be in the field testing soil samples, collecting aquatic invertebrates, testing PH levels in natural springs, studying plant specimens, and working with a biologist to study the local wildlife. The local Paiute tribe also participates regularly, she said, to share their beliefs and culture with the students and teach them about the land.
Participating students will additionally have a shot at the scholarship money. Ferrell said two outstanding campers will be chosen to receive the $500 scholarships based on their conduct and participation during camp and also based on skills completion. Students can also apply for one of the several paid internships.
“This is a great thing to put on a resume or a college application, that you worked with these agencies and completed these internships,” Ferrell said.
According to information from the camp, participating students are also eligible for one quarter of high school science credit through the Washington County School District.
Though the Color Country camp was developed for youth in the Southern Utah region, Ferrell said it's open to any applicant grade 10 through 12. In a previous year, she said, they had a student fly in from New York to participate in the camp.
“The Color Country Nature Camp is an incredible opportunity for young people to be with their peers in an outdoor setting, to do things that are very enjoyable, and to learn,” Ferrell said. “It's just an incredible opportunity, and I hope that students will take advantage of it.”
The fee for the Color Country Natural Resource Camp is $75 per student, and that amount covers food, camping, activities and transportation. Fee waivers may be granted in special circumstances. The application deadline is March 30, and students can apply online at www.ccnrc.co.nr, in person at Pine View High School, 2850 E. 750 N. in St. George, or at the Interagency Information Center, 345 E. Riverside Dr. For further information, call camp co-directors Sandy Ferrell at 435-628-5255, ext. 107, or Steve Cox, at 435-628-5255, ext. 313.

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