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SARSEF and Tohono Chul Summer Camps
July 24, 2023 @ 8:00 am - July 28, 2023 @ 5:00 pm MST
SARSEF is thrilled to announce the expansion of its summer camp program, thanks to the funding awarded by Governor Katie Hobbs’ Summer Enrichment Grant. In partnership with Arizona Science Center, the grant will support CAMP INNOVATION in hosting hundreds of children across Tucson at no charge.
SARSEF is collaborating with a diverse range of esteemed organizations in Tucson, AZ, including Tohono Chul, to deliver an array of exciting summer camps for young scientists and ensuring accessibility and diverse learning opportunities for young participants.
“Partnering with Tohono Chul enables us to offer nature-inspired summer camps, encouraging young scientists to explore the natural world and cultivate an appreciation for environmental sciences,” said Julie Euber, SARSEF CEO. “Together, we aim to foster a love for both science and nature.”
The collaborative effort between SARSEF, Arizona Science Center, and Tohono Chul has resulted in a thoughtfully crafted curriculum designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Summer camp at Tohono Chul will take place July 24-28, grades 6-8, and July 31-August 4, grades 4-5, from 9am-3pm. The camp will focus on Botany/Ethno-Botany, Wildlife, Geology, Art, and Climate of the Sonoran Desert. Campers will experience a Reptile Ramble, learn how to care for Tohono Chul’s resident desert tortoises, and investigate the technology of Native American basketry. At the end of each week the ‘Junior Docents’ will be invited to share their knowledge of the Sonoran Desert with their families, staff, volunteers, and visitors during Tohono Chul’s summer-long Friday and Saturday evening event, Chillin at the Chul.
Tohono Chul Executive Director Jamie Maslyn Larson stated, “Tohono Chul is so excited to team with SARSEF in this summer camp program for youth. Using our gardens as a classroom and laboratory, our partnership will engage youth in learning about the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. This program builds upon a key initiative to invite children and families to Tohono Chul, launched in January with the opening of Children’s Museum Oro Valley. Today’s children are our future stewards—Tohono Chul aims to inspire and nurture them for this role.”
Registration for CAMP INNOVATION summer camps is now open and limited.
In case of high demand, registrants will have the option to be placed on a waitlist for additional weeks, ensuring that as many students as possible can benefit from this unique educational opportunity.
For more information and to register for CAMP INNOVATION summer camps, please visit https://sarsef.org/
About SARSEF:
SARSEF was formed in 1955 in an effort to increase student interest in the field of science. The mission of SARSEF is to engage Arizona’s Pre-K-12 grade students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they participate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through inquiry-based learning and research. SARSEF accomplishes this mission through a variety of programming including a high school mentoring program, the STAR Lab, SARSEF Fair Week, educational outreach programs with an emphasis on underrepresented populations in the sciences, teacher professional development, ACES Camp for Middle School girls, Racing the Sun, and Arizona STEM Adventure.
About Tohono Chul
https://tohonochul.org/
The mission of Tohono Chul is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world. Tohono Chul’s vision is to be recognized internationally as the premier center for understanding and appreciation of the Sonoran Desert region through its fusion of nature, art, and culture. Tohono Chul seeks to be an indispensable resource for helping people learn about, celebrate, and conserve our region’s natural and cultural heritage, and to be a model institution for other unique regions around the world. Every element of Tohono Chul will reflect excellence and beauty, creating a pleasurable, inspiring, and enlightening experience for all.