Yellowstone Wildlife Ecology Program

This program is an amazing opportunity to work with

the US Forest Service in the wilderness in and around

Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone is the oldest National Park in the United

States and home to some of the country’s most fascinating

wildlife and geological features. The greater Yellowstone

ecosystem provides the ideal setting to get immersed in

wildlife, mountains, rivers, and forests all in an effort to

better understand the varying conservation issues facing

the region.

We’ll start the week doing conservation research and service

work with the US Forest Service in the wilderness just north

of Yellowstone focusing on different wildlife population

surveys and monitoring projects. Next, we spend three

days exploring the amazing wildlife and landscapes of

Yellowstone, looking for wolves, bears, bison, elk, bighorn,

sheep and more. We take a celebratory rafting trip on the

Yellowstone River on the final day of this adventure!

The 9-day course includes over 30 hours coursework

and instruction including conservation biology, wildlands

management, and the scientific method. Participants

complete over 20 hours of field research and using develop

and present a field-based research project using the data

they collect.

On the course, visiting students will join their peers from the

area. Share your research experience and enjoy getting to

know some new friends on this project.

www.ecologyproject.org

High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis

Just a short ride from the world-famous Gateway Arch is a great University where you can have a unique summer experience. The High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis could be the most rewarding, exciting, and challenging five weeks of your life. As a High School Summer Scholar, you will be part of a small, select group of current sophomores and juniors exploring the realities of college life. You will earn up to 7 units of college credit that will transfer to most accredited colleges and universities, giving you a head start toward your college career. And you'll develop academic and social skills that will give you a tremendous advantage when you leave for college next year. Our beautiful campus sits on the edge of Forest Park near the zoo, art museum, science center, history museum, and the Muny open-air theatre. Here you can make friends and have fun while exploring St. Louis.

http://ucollege.wustl.edu/programs/highschool

Summer Internship with Friends of the Teton River

Friends of the Teton River (FTR) is offering a local high school student the opportunity to learn while earning money on Teton Valley’s waterways this summer. For the fifth consecutive year, FTR is offering a summer internship to a high school student from the Teton Valley who is interested in science and field work with experts in hydrology, fisheries and restoration.
“I learned more this summer than I have in any in any of my other previous jobs.” said James Durrett, the 2008 recipient of the summer internship.
The intern will work side-by-side with FTR staff on a variety of projects including water quality testing, stream bank restoration projects and community education and outreach.
“There is no better way for young people to build relationships, job experience and a connection to place than to work hands-on in the field” stated Amy Verbeten, FTR Education and Outreach Director. “It’s a summer experience they will never forget.”
The 10-week internship will run from early June through mid-August, and requires a commitment of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The student will earn a $3,000 stipend. Applicants must reside full time in the Teton Valley, and must be a junior or senior in high school during the 2009-10 school year. Karen Scheid, FTR Board Member Emeritus, donates funding for the scholarship. Interested students can pick up an application in the Friends of the Teton River office, located in Suite 310 of the Colter Building, or talk to their high school science teacher. The application deadline is April 24. For more information, call Amy Verbeten at 208-354-3871 , or email amy@tetonwater.org.

Putney Student Travel

Putney programs are special. They emphasize cultural immersion, learning by doing, having fun, getting off the beaten track, making friends, and giving something of yourself to others – rather than touring or sightseeing.

In 2009, Putney offers six categories of programs: Community Service, Global Awareness in Action, Language Learning, Cultural Exploration, Excel pre-college Enrichment, and Putney Foundations for 7th and 8th graders. This website provides only an outline of the actual group experience. What makes our work so rewarding are the letters and reports from our alumni saying that their summer with Putney was “the best summer of my life.” Many parents describe their child’s growth as “far exceeding the effects of a year at school.” The maturity, self-confidence, and sensitivity towards others that most participants develop are derived from close friendships, personal discovery, and the tremendous satisfaction of conquering new challenges.

Putney offers programs all over the world. For more info, see Cheryl or:

http://www.goputney.com/index.htm

Oxbow Summer Art Camp

“No lanyards made here”
Welcome to the Oxbow Summer Art Camp, a unique experience for youth ages 14-16 who love art. At Oxbow, we don’'t do busy craft projects. We expose campers to a professional level of instruction in a variety of mediums and give them the opportunity to design and create their own projects. Campers return home with concrete evidence of their progress and the realization that they are capable of making great art.

www.nolanyardscamp.org

See Cheryl or the Educational Opportunities Bulletin Board for more info.

National Museum of Wildlife Art Seeks High School Student to Participate in Arctic Leadership Camp

The National Museum of Wildlife Art is currently accepting applications from Teton County high school sophomores to participate in Polar Bears International’s (PBI) “Adventure Learning Leadership Camp” in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. The camp will be held September 26 through October 3, 2009. Valerie and Richard Beck are making it possible for a Jackson student to attend at no cost to the student thanks to their generous sponsorship. The Becks are Museum supporters and PBI board members who live in Jackson Hole. This is the second year they have sponsored a Teton County student.

Applicants must be 16 years old by September 26, 2009 and must be a high school junior attending school in Teton County by fall 2009. The selected student will join more than a dozen top students from several countries on this remarkable adventure to the Far North. Students travel to Churchill for the annual fall polar bear migration. There, they explore a range of issues relating to polar bears, humans, and the environment. Camp participants learn from some of the foremost scientists, educators, and resources on polar bears and arctic habitat. High-speed data links allow them to report to their home communities from the tundra. The goal is to equip participants with the tools they need to share their knowledge and to motivate them to make a difference regarding environmental challenges.

“Every year, we select a group of bright, motivated students who are eager to learn about the bears,” says Robert Buchanan, PBI's President. “While there, they communicate with their peers through online journals. After they return, they share what they've learned through talks, slide presentations, and media interviews.” Each student also develops and manages a project within their community to support the mission of Polar Bears International.
Dick Beck, PBI board member, and Jackson Hole resident, has seen first-hand the fruits of the Leadership Camp program. “Camp is both fun and challenging. And feedback from its graduates indicate that it is rewarding and eye-opening. It gives them an opportunity to learn about polar bears and the arctic and understand the importance of bringing people together to discuss and develop solutions rather than becoming mired in polarized viewpoints. They hear from tree-huggers and fur trappers. They meet and learn from the First Nation people of Canada.”

“PBI’s goal is to empower these already gifted students to become highly effective at inspiring, informing, and enlisting others in creating positive change. These kids will help other kids assume responsibility for their futures.”

Museum President & CEO James C. McNutt, Ph.D., says “The Arctic Ambassador program is an excellent way for students to be involved and gain direct experience with wildlife, and also with communication about wildlife—always an artistic endeavor.” As a nominating institution, the Museum will provide the student ambassador with access to resources and support for outreach efforts when he or she returns to Jackson Hole following Camp.

Interested students should contact the Museum for an application. The completed application, a teacher recommendation, and a copy of the student’s high school transcript must be submitted to the Museum by April 30, 2009. Top candidates will be interviewed at the Museum in May. The selection will be announced June 1, 2009. Contact Amy Goicoechea at the Museum for an application, 307-732-5435 oragoicoechea@wildlifeart.org

Catlin Gabel School In Portland, Oregon Offers a Variety of Summer Programs

For those with an interest in the environment and community service – The Elana Gold Memorial Restoration Project http://www.catlin.edu/page/1564

For those with an interest in urban studies - Urban Planning & Leadership Institute http://www.catlin.edu/page/959

For those interested in some Outdoor Education opportunities http://www.catlin.edu/page/1287