Overnight Camps

Camp Registration Information

Register Securely Online

To register by phone call: 510-642-5134
(M–F, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Mail or fax an application (pdf).

Fax: 510-643-0994

Mail:

University of California, Berkeley
Registration Office
Lawrence Hall of Science #5200
Berkeley, CA 94720-5200

Overnight Camp Sagehen 2008 photos

Overnight Camp Bodega 2008 photos

 Overnignt Camp Coastal Ecology 2008 

Residential Science Camp
Ages: 8–12		Coastal Ecology		June 22–26, 2009

Backpacking Science Camp
Ages: 10–16	Grouse Ridge		July 7–12, 2009

Research Camps for High School
Grades: 9–12	Marine Biology	June 13–18, 2009
Grades: 9–12	Wildlife Biology Full	August 3–8, 2009

If you have questions about camps, please email us.

At Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) residential summer camps, the mountains, forests, and seashore become exciting places to explore science in ways not possible inside a classroom. As UC Berkeley’s science museum and center for K–12 education, LHS combines the best hands-on, inquiry-based environmental education activities with what you love most about summer camp. LHS residential camps span a range of ages and interests, from young campers exploring coastal forests and tide pools, or experienced campers taking their outdoor skills to new levels, to high school students engaging in college-level research activities.

Safety
Safety is of paramount importance to us. We are proud of our excellent safety record, which is the result of our careful staff selection process (we attract and hire only the best and most qualified), thorough training process, low student-to-staff ratios, and very detailed and well-tested program procedures.

Interpersonal Skill Development
Having strong and positive group dynamics is important to us. We spend time developing strong teamwork and friendships through daily group activities and shared responsibilities. If you decide to sign-up with a friend, we honor all buddy requests. These camps build self-confidence and encourage independence in a safe, structured environment.

Support Academic Achievement
Research has shown that authentic hands-on explorations in nature inspire intellectual curiosity and support academic achievement. Hands-on science activities, the hallmark of LHS programs, feature age-appropriate science topics and concepts. Each of the camps has a unique theme and program, and is designed for a specific age group. Take advantage of the time-tested techniques of the University of California, Berkeley’s public science center to help your child fulfill his or her potential.

Research Camps for High School

These research camps are unique, intensive programs where students engage in wildlife study and conduct experiments at a college level. The programs are fast paced with a full schedule and includes a student research project. Some days require early morning wake-up or late night activities. We encourage students to apply who have an active interest in field science and who are highly motivated.

Wildlife Biology Research Camp Full

University of California
Sagehen Creek Field Station

August 3–8, 2009 (6 days)
Grades: 9–12

Enrollment: 20–24 campers

LHS Orientation: May 27, 7:00 p.m.

$895 ($850 for LHS members)

Participate in wildlife investigations usually available only to research scientists! The University of California Sagehen Creek Field Station, located 20 miles north of Lake Tahoe, has long been a favorite with wildlife researchers. Alpine meadows,the Sierra’s best fens, and lush forests teeming with wildlife surround this extensive research station. Students learn numerous field research techniques as they take on exciting wildlife biology projects.

Activities include:

• Setting traps to capture, measure, hold, and release flying squirrels and chipmunks
• Finding elusive animals by using remote cameras, infrared sensors, night-vision binoculars, track traps, and fluorescent powders that glow under UV light.
• Using a variety of sampling equipment to measure the health of different ecosystems
• Working with an entomologist to collect and identify insects and aquatic invertebrates
• Investigating wildflowers with a botanist
• Learning tricks to identifying birds with an ornithologist

Students take turns helping to prepare meals. During free time, they can pursue specific interests such as working on research projects, fishing, or simply relaxing with fellow campers. Facilities include research labs, a library, an underwater trout-viewing lab, and recently renovated cabins. Food and transportation from LHS to the site are provided.

Marine Biology Research Camp

University of California
Bodega Marine Lab

June 13–18, 2009 (6 days)
Grades: 9–12

Enrollment: 20–24 campers

LHS Orientation: May 27, 7:00 p.m.

$990 ($945 for LHS members)

Discover firsthand the field and laboratory skills used in marine biology. The University of California Bodega Marine Lab, at Bodega Bay on the Sonoma County coast, is one of the most richly diverse marine environments in the world. Rocky tide pools, mud flats, estuaries, coastal dunes, and sandy beaches surround this modern research station. Students develop their observational and inquiry skills as they work side by side with LHS instructors and scientists. Supervised evening activities offer time to relax, make friends, and play volleyball on the beach.

Activities include:

• Visiting a different tidal area each morning at low tide
• Learning new ways to collect, identify and observe marine organisms
• Maintaining your own saltwater aquarium for a project on marine organisms of your choosing
• Identifying and preserving Pacific Coast seaweeds
• Using different sampling methods to document population changes of local and introduced marine species and their ecosystems

Facilities include research labs, classrooms, auditoriums, many large aquaria, a computer lab, and a library overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Transportation from LHS to Bodega, meals, and dormitory-style housing are provided.

Residential Summer Science Camp

Coastal Ecology offers the camper a secure environment to explore science in a traditional camp setting, while making new friends and having tons of fun. This camp will be held at the well-equipped Exploring New Horizons Sempervirens facility near Big Basin State Park. Each day brings new activities and insights about science, along with traditional camp activities like swimming, crafts, games, and campfires. Picture your child making friends in our fun and supportive camp environment; and returning home with new interests and skills, confidence, and lifelong memories!

Coastal Ecology Sempervirens Outdoor Camp
June 22–26, 2009 (5 days)
Ages: 8–12

Enrollment: 64–72 campers
Orientation at LHS: May 20, 7:00 p.m.
$725 ($680 for LHS members)

Life is pretty exciting where the forest meets the sea! Explore the animals and plants that live at and near the ocean. The rocky tide pools, streams, grassy fields, and groves of giant redwood trees we’ll visit are home to a huge variety of life. Campers will use field biology techniques to observe, compare, appreciate, and learn about the local inhabitants and how they survive and thrive. We’ll bring a large assortment of our most popular science activities from LHS for campers to choose from. Highlights include a trip to the ocean to explore the creatures that live in tide pools, and a trip to Big Basin State Park to learn and have fun amongst huge redwoods. Camp life is balanced with a rich array of activities such as swimming, crafts, games, archery, campfires, planetarium shows in our star dome, storytelling, and beach combing. This camp, ideal for first-time campers and returning campers, is filled with plenty to do and many chances to make new friends.

The Sempervirens Camp is located next to Big Basin State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains on 20 acres of land with nature trails through coastal forests and redwoods. This camp has many amenities including a large swimming pool, a small petting zoo with goats and chickens, organic gardens, an outdoor amphitheater with a stage, an archery range, Ping-Pong tables, tetherball, a sand volleyball court, a large meadow for sports and games, and clean comfortable cabins. Food and transportation between LHS and camp are included.

Backpacking Science Camp

The Grouse Ridge Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada mountains provides a perfect training ground—for beginning and more experienced backpackers—with gentle and more challenging trails lined with alpine lakes and abundant flora and fauna. An excellent teacher-to-student ratio, good food, experienced leaders, and solid science instruction make these camps a wise way to spend a bit of your summertime. Tents, food, and transportation to and from LHS are provided.

Grouse Ridge Wilderness
July 7–12, 2009 (6 days)
Ages: 10–16

Enrollment: 26–39 campers
Orientation at LHS: June 3, 7:00 p.m.
$810 ($765 for LHS members)

In this session there will be an emphasis on back country living skills: knots and navigation, shelter building and self-care, and how to travel safely in the wilderness, as well as the natural history of this spectacular area. The first day and night are spent at a secluded group camp site where we’ll review basic outdoor survival skills. Campers will then hike the trails as part of a smaller backpacking group, exploring lakes and streams, and identifying and observing wildlife. Gentle and more challenging trail options will be provided for new and returning campers. Gain strength, knowledge, and friends in a supportive and beautiful environment.

Activities include:

• Practicing backpacking skills such as navigation, shelter building, and Leave No Trace ethics
• Learning the original uses of plants for food, shelter, and medicine
• Playing games to facilitate friendships, team building, and greater understanding of natural processes
• Spotting stars and constellations, and recounting their legends
• Unearthing the code in rocks to understand how these areas formed
• Time for relaxing by the water, playing games, and telling stories at night

The Grouse Ridge area in the Tahoe National Forest is a hidden gem located a short 2-1/2-hour drive from the Bay Area. Most of the trails here change little in elevation and pass a lake every mile. Granite peaks polished by ancient glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows filled with wildflowers, and magnificent pine forests adorn this 22,000-acre wilderness. It is located north of the junction of Highways 80 and 20.

Leaders

Ted Robertson has directed camps for LHS for 23 years. He is an LHS teacher, a UC biologist, author of several books, accomplished wilderness instructor, and an Emergency Medical Technician. He has guided programs in the arctic, snow, deserts, oceans and tropics and has worked for several outdoor rescue organizations.

Backpack Director Dave (Gio) Giordano has been teaching science education and leading backpacking trips for fourteen years. He is an avid backpacker and field biologist who has hiked the entire John Muir Trail twice and traveled throughout the Alaskan wilderness. He is a full time instructor at LHS.

Lead field teacher Rikki Shackelford has 13 years experience directing outdoor camps for several organizations and was the recipient of the Association for Environmental Outdoor Education’s educator of the year award. He is currently a full-time LHS educator, and leads the teen intern program.

Field teacher Aaron Clegg is a credentialed teacher, LHS instructor, experienced outdoor leader, author, and has been teaching for 9 years.

The LHS Science Camp teaching staff includes LHS educators, college graduates with science backgrounds, and environmental education specialists. All are experienced in delivering science using exciting, interactive teaching techniques. Camp staff have first-aid training and undergo thorough background checks.

Registration
Online Registration
Application (pdf)

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