Pictured above: Sophie White, BEMP South Summer Camper

BEMP Summer Camp on the Bosque-2016 was held at the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park (MVBSP) and proved to be a wonderful experience for some dedicated 10-12 year olds. Campers joined us from Las Cruces, Mesilla, El Paso, and California along with two wonderful NMSU volunteers. Campers were able to experience daily nature hikes that included bosque-themed scavenger hunts and fun, hands-on science learning activities. Campers collected pond water, looked at living organisms under microscopes, dissected owl pellets, participated in Bosque Botany Bonanza activities, and learned about fauna of the Rio Grande. Daily journal writing and art activities encouraged creative, thoughtful insight into their outdoor experiences. Campers also helped conduct monthly monitoring data collection on BEMP’s long-term ecological research site alongside 8th graders from the J. Paul Taylor Academy in Las Cruces.

Treks by the roaring Rio Grande were a most exciting feature of our summer camp. We were able to enjoy the river in all its summer glory; campers witnessed great imagery to write about, draw, and reflect upon during journal time. Local experts from the Native Plant Society and USDA Wildlife Services taught campers exciting science about the bosque. They generously shared their wealth of knowledge. Students delved deeply into plant identification, and interacted with pelts, skulls, and bones from local fauna species.

You know your summer camp is successful when campers aren’t ready to leave at the end of each day. Many thought our camp should have gone on for yet another week! Sophie White, camper-extraordinaire, said “It was a great, enjoyable experience! I learned a lot about our bosque”. See you next year on the trail kiddos!

A special THANK YOU to our guest collaborators from the local, including our wonderful summer volunteers: Brenda Gonzales and Jacqueline Torres from NMSU Chicano Programs; botanist Dr. Dave Anderson, John Freyermuth, and Carolyn Gressitt with the Native Plant Society; Mike Graves from USDA Wildlife Services; 8th graders from J. Paul Taylor Academy and their teacher Yvette Garza Stevens; Dan Shaw from Bosque School/BEMP in Albuquerque; and Bea Jenkins.

Guest Post by Ruby Estrada, BEMP South Environmental Educator