These week-long, afternoon camps include hands-on, inquiry-based classroom and laboratory activities, as well as outdoor exploration and recreation.

ANIMAL STUDIES I

For animal lovers and young scientists, Animal Studies I at Appalachian State University could be the best part of their summer. This will be the sixth summer for this camp which has gotten rave reviews from past participants. Animal Studies I will meet June 17 - 21, and is planned for students who will be in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade in fall of 2013.

This program will vary slightly with the interests of the group, and sometimes the weather. We know kids need positive experiences in nature, so that will definitely be a part of many days. Students will have the opportunity to examine live salamanders, lizards, snakes, and turtles. We will also study both live and preserved mammal specimens, research water quality, and explore the inhabitants of Kraut Creek.We will sometimes be in a lab classroom, sometimes we will be in the woods nearby, and sometimes visiting various other science labs at Appalachian State.

ANIMAL STUDIES II

Is your middle school student ready for some serious hands-on animal science exploration? The opportunity for real experiences on a college campus can make a lasting impression on students crazy about animals, and may help campers realize how their avocation might become a vocation. They will learn the fundamentals of identification and classification using animal evidence, and will be challenged and stimulated to explore further, even after camp is over.

Animal Studies II will meet July 29-August 2, and is planned for students who will be in 5th through 8th grade in fall of 2013. Many of the activities will be similar to Animal Studies I, but adjusted for the maturity of this group.  We will sometimes be in a lab classroom, sometimes we will be in the woods nearby, and sometimes visiting various other science labs at ASU to meet with graduate students and ASU faculty to learn about their research.

Is this the camp for your child?

This is a highly interactive program that will take place in several different indoor laboratories and outdoor locations on a university campus. Students will have the opportunity to observe a variety of animals, and also the opportunity to handle some of them. For the safety of the animals and the children, all participants should be mature enough to follow verbal directions, stay with the group, and listen quietly if they choose not to participate in an activity. If this describes your child, we welcome your enrollment.

Animal Studies I: June 17-21, 2013
Time: 1:00pm -5:15pm
Age: Grade 2 through 4 in Fall, 2013
Camp Fee: $150
Register Here!

Animal Studies II: July 29-August 2, 2013
Time: 1:00pm -5:15pm
Age: Grade 5 through 8 in Fall, 2013
Camp Fee: $150
Register Here!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Open until filled; maximum group size 14.

Location for class: This class will meet at the Rankin Science Building on the campus of ASU.

Required medical Form available here:
  2013 med form and code of conduct  [pdf]       or   2013 med form and code of conduct  [word doc]     

Additional information will be provided with your registration receipt, with follow-up information sent closer to the camp date. If you do not receive your receipt, please call 828-262-2530 to insure you have all the information you need.

Program Leaders:This program is developed and led by Monique Eckerd from the Department of Arts and Sciences at ASU. She holds a BS in Animal Science, an MS in Biology, and is a licensed Animal Technologist. She is assisted by current and former ASU students and other area educators who share her love of animal science.
Staff for 2013 include:
Robin King, who holds a BS in Biology, a BFA in art education, and has 10 years of teaching experience. This is Robin's fourth year with Animal Studies.
This is Kelly Lynn's second year with Animal Studies, but she has six years of experience working with youth as a classroom teacher, and five summers as a camp leader. She holds her BS in Education.

This energetic team love turning kids on to science, and they understand the benefits that come from creating a cohesive learning group.