Where did you attend field camp?

Western Colorado University.

What did receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship meant I was able to dedicate more time to my education prior to field camp rather than working to pay tuition. Not having that financial obligation really allowed me to immerse myself in field camp. I was able to focus on the course instead of stressing about how I would pay for the cost of camp.

What did that experience teach you about the geosciences, yourself, and your future career?

This experience taught me a lot about what fieldwork really entails and how my classroom education connects to the real world. It strengthened my understanding of geology, field skills, and most importantly, the confidence I have in myself as a geologist.

What opportunities did attending field camp provide that you wouldn’t have had otherwise?

Through field camp, I was able to get a deeper geologic understanding of field areas I have been to before briefly in class and explore new areas around my college town.

In your opinion, how important is field camp for geoscience students?

In my opinion, field camp is crucial for geoscience students because it really does take everything you learn about during a lecture in class and connects them all. It gives students the opportunity to experience real fieldwork you would perform in a career, therefore giving students an idea of potential paths to take after graduation. Being out in the field mapping, recording data, and identifying rocks strengthens basic skills needed to be successful in the geoscience world.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Individuals should support field camp opportunities for students because it is a very transformative experience for all geoscience students. It prepares students for the next step after graduation. Field camp offers a type of education that cannot be taught in a classroom. I am thankful for the support I received to attend field camp, because it sparked a new level of love for geoscience and inspired me to further my educational opportunities post-graduation.