Successful Science Day Camps

Archeology Day Campers, from left to right: Laura Speegle, Stephen Woody, Adam Smith, Beth Buckhout, Adrian Smith, Annelie Hansen, Terren Thomas, James Basaldua, Cynthia Tafoya, and Jay Theuer.

NPS/Marge Post

News Release Date: July 25, 2008

Contact: Marge Post, [phone] ext. 264

Successful Science Day Camps at Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest – Exploring the backcountry, discovering stone tools, and digging up fossils were all part of the Science Day Camps held at Petrified Forest National Park in June and July. Ten students and two teachers participated in the Archeology and Paleontology Day Camps, learning about park resources from the experts – Jay Theuer and Bill Parker, the park’s archeologist and paleontologist, respectively. “The students learned about the role of the national park in protecting natural and cultural resources while having the freedom to explore areas not often traveled by visitors to the park,” said Cliff Spencer, Superintendent.

While Petrified Forest National Park paid for transportation expenses and offered the day camps at no cost to participants, special thanks goes out to the Holbrook School District for providing lunches and allowing Beth Buckhout, 8th Grade Science Teacher at Holbrook Junior High School, to participate. Ms. Buckhout drove the school van, put together lunch parcels, and fully participated each day.

Another teacher participant was Laura Speegle, 5th Grade Teacher with Detroit Public Schools. Ms. Speegle is the park’s Teacher-Ranger-Teacher this summer, learning about the National Park Service through her work as a park ranger. Ms. Speegle is assisting with educational and Junior Ranger programs, working at the visitor center, and leading interpretive programs. She is also collecting and developing materials to take back to her classroom and school district. “The last few weeks here have been very exciting. I can’t wait to share it with my students back home,” said Ms. Speegle. In October, she will be doing a presentation at the annual Michigan Science Teachers Association conference, sharing her Teacher-Ranger-Teacher experience with hundreds of other Michigan teachers.

For digital copies of the provided images, please contact Marge Post at [e-mail], or at [phone] ext. 264. To view a slide show of day camp images visit the NEWS page. For more information call [phone] weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time; or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park.