"The camp's success was a result of the great mix of people who participated - the campers, the instructors and the counselors. Everyone experienced a tremendous amount of learning throughout the week."

Dr. Joe Poston

For years I have wanted to be involved with a science camp designed to promote science for girls. I always loved science and just wanted to give girls who like science a chance to participate in science that was fun! This camp realized that dream. The girls were so enthusiastic and involved - from catching turtles and fish to listening for the night sounds of frogs, they were delightful to watch and it was so apparent that they were learning and having fun.

The logisitics of having 55 girls in a week-long residential camp were challenging. It was the counselors who made the week possible. From headaches and skinned shins to homesickness and making new friends, the Catawba students who served as the resident advisors and the facilitators of the movement from activity to activity were invaluable to the camp."

Dr. Cyndi Osterhus

from the Parent of a Camper:
"My daughter Olivia, who attended the Catawba Conservation Camp along with her twin sister Lauren, and I, were raking, picking up sticks, etc. in the yard. My husband's golf practice net had blown over onto the fire pit opening, so we decided to straighten it out. We discovered a blue bird stuck in the netting, so of course I went into rescue mode. Olivia quickly chimed in 'Mom, let me do this. I know how to hold birds.'  I backed off as she confidently and gently held the bird and untangled the netting.

It may sound silly, but I was a proud Mom at that moment; and Olivia was clearly proud of her capability, too! Thanks for having both my girls involved in C3. You never know when certain information comes back to you!"

Over-Population:
"Over population was very unexpected. I would have never thought that we would do stuff with fish, nets, and oxygen, measuring devices. I thought that we would be in the classroom the whole time. I had a good time."

A. Betancourt, Ladybug Group (Salisbury, NC)

Overharvesting:
"I learned that overharvesting is just not with deer and animals, it can also be with fish. We also learned about ORT at supper. We had to put all of our left over food in a bucket and then they are going to weigh it. Today has been a great day!"

A. Cozart, Fish Group (Salisbury, NC)

Bird Banding:
"We caught three birds - the Carolina Wren, the Red Eyed Verio, and the Golden Finch. I got to hold the last one."

K. Peele, Turtle Group (Salisbury, NC)

Catawba Conservation Camp Experience:
"We walked 3-1/2 miles to a lake to catch fish. Then we took them back to the lab and measured the oxygen in the tank. Then we watched a movie and went on a night walk where we made owl calls."

M. Teeter, Lizard Group (China Grove, NC)

Ecological Footprint:
"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Do not buy unnecessary extras; Turn off water when brushing your teeth; Turn off lights; Use fluorescent light bulbs; Use locally made goods; Wash less, dry clothes on the line; Save energy."

M. McCree, Ladybug Group (Rockwell, NC)

Conservation:
"Conservation is conserving things and saving them. Conservation is important so that if we save things you don’t have to make more things. We might have more trees if we save paper. We wouldn’t be saving those things and we would run out of those things quicker."

L. Slate, Frog Group (Salisbury, NC)

Learning:
"Three things I learned from this module; first thing we learned was about four different types of turtles. I had no idea there were Eastern Painted Turtles, Yellow Bellied Sliders, Red Eared Sliders, and an Orange Eared Slider. I know that they aren’t poisonous and not a snapping turtle. The second is to tell if it is a male or female. A female turtle is much bigger and it’s nails are shorter. A boy turtle is smaller and has bigger nails. The third thing I learned was about Invasive Species. We learned that you could mean to bring an Invasive Species in or not. My favorite thing we did was when we captured turtles. We got to weigh them, measure them, and tell what kind they are."

H. Duncan, Turtle Group (Salisbury, NC)

About Leadership:
"We discussed how actions and behaviors make us leaders. A leader says and does things for people to follow. I was a leader today for giving an idea that everybody liked. We decided to use my idea."

Sidney Potts, Fish Group (Salisbury, NC)