YOLO CO., Calif. — Range Camp is an environmental science & management camp for high school students from across California. The camp takes place at the University of California’s Elkus Youth Ranch in Half Moon Bay, CA, and is in person again for its 40th season from June 16 -21, 2024.
Range Camp is a 6-day camp experience for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who have an interest in the science and conservation management of natural resources in California. Students get an introduction to ecological principles, including characteristics and interrelationships of plants and animals, fire ecology, hydrology, geology and soils, and management of grassland, brushland, forest, and stream and river ecosystems. Field activities include learning to read wildlife ‘sign’, learning outdoor navigation with compasses, maps and GPS, forest management, visits to working ranches and conservation projects, and a beach BBQ.
The camp is organized by the University of California Cooperative Extension, with support from a variety of institutions, including university faculty and students from the University of California and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, and numerous other agriculture and conservation organizations. Sessions are taught by university faculty and staff from local, state and federal agencies, and private professional scientists and natural resource management specialists. All students compete for the opportunity to travel to Spokane, WA on February 9-13, 2025 as a representative of California to the national high school youth forum event which takes place at the annual scientific conference held by the Society for Range Management.
Range Camp runs from June 16-21, 2024. More information and applications are available at https://ucanr.edu/sites/rangecamp/. Cost for attendance is $750.00. Applications are open until full. This year, Range Camp is offering grants for socially underrepresented students to cover the attendance fee. Please indicate so on application.
California Range Camp was first organized in 1984 by professional members of the California Pacific section of the Society for Range Management, and has been held annually every year since.
Every year, the Yolo County Resource Conservation District helps organize sponsors for Yolo County students to attend Range Camp. If you are a Yolo County student interested in attending Range Camp or if you are interested in sponsoring a camper, please reach out to Alli Permann, RCD Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected].
–Yolo County Resource Conservation District