Science Discovery at the University of Colorado is a program founded in 1983 that educates students ages four to eighteen about science topics ranging from wolves to river ecosystems. Science Discovery offers classes after school, summer classes, outdoor classes, and adventure camps. I have enjoyed participating in their programs since I was five years old and was ready for a new challenge. This year I participated in one of their wilderness camps, the New Mexico Adventure.

The New Mexico Adventure is a week long camp for kids entering 6 th through 8 th grade. The camp includes white water rafting, swimming in a natural spring, and climbing on the Great Sand Dunes. On my visit to New Mexico, we did a service project for a river cleanup in Taos. We visited Bandelier National Monument, where we climbed in caves of the Pueblo people and we walked through an ancient village. We also explored the Taos Pueblo which is the First Living World Heritage. (It has been occupied for a thousand years.) The highlight of the trip for me was going over Class 3 rapids on the Rio Grande!

Other wilderness camps include the Yellowstone Wolf Trek, the Peak and Prairie Science Day Camp, Pioneers to Mountaineers, Pacific Northwest Natural Science and Wolf Tracks and Backpacks. While the regular C.U. science camps are appropriate for anyone, the wilderness camps are for those who would enjoy camping out for a week. This includes no showers, somewhat uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, dirt and bugs. An added bonus is the small staff to student ratio; in my camp, there were ten students to three staff. This camp was an extraordinary experience and I was grateful for the opportunity to create friendships and learn more about New Mexico.