Where did you attend field camp?

I attended field camp through Utah State University, combined with Weber State University. Our course took us to some pretty incredible places I wouldn’t have gone otherwise, near Moab, Utah; Utah’s west desert; southern Idaho; and other local areas.

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

Receiving the J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship helped to ease some of the financial burden of having to take six weeks off work to attend camp. As a non-traditional student with a family, this helped tremendously! I am very grateful to have been the recipient of this award.

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

Field camp was a great experience for me! I learned so much about interpreting surficial and fault-related features, as well as mapping bedrock, faults, geomorphological features, and geological hazards. During the course, I learned that I love making maps and have a greater appreciation for geological mappers.

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

During my field course, I learned from professionals in the field, obtaining experience I would not have gotten otherwise. Having the professors in the field helped me learn better ways of interpreting my geological surroundings. Working in pairs with other students allowed us to share our strengths and build on our individual weaknesses.

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

The experiences gained at field camp are not easily gained in the classroom. You have to get out into the field and see the formations and features firsthand. A photograph or video cannot give you the same data you would gather sitting on an outcrop. Learning to take structural data and putting it into context with the outcrop really helps you understand the bigger picture.

Why should individuals support field camp opportunities for students?

Field camp is costly and because of the time commitment involved, it is not possible to maintain a job during the course. Summer tuition assistance is also harder to obtain because you are unable to take other classes during this time, limiting the credit hours. For many students, receiving a scholarship could mean the ability to attend the course where they otherwise would not be able to.