Bohart Museum of Entomology
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Bio Boot Camps

Camp Application Process

The Bio Boot Camp and BBC 2.0 camp application process is now closed. 

Please contact us  in January 2020 for  next summer. 

Important Information

We want to provide opportunities to as many people as possible, but there are many constraints that we have no control over. We regret that we have wait lists, but we don't want to compromise the quality of the camps. We do take into consideration whether a camper has previously applied to the camp and been wait listed as it shows a strong desire to attend the camp. We also take into consideration the grade of the camper.  Applications typically come from all over California,  but also across the US and the world. 

We truly welcome feedback and suggestions. Campers and their families have influenced the evolution of the camps in countless ways and will continue to do so. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Contact Tabatha Yang, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the  Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis, at  tabyang@ucdavis.edu  or (530) 754-0722, if you have any questions. Please use the words "Bio Boot Camp question" in the subject line. ​

 Updated 2020 Camp Forms will be available in mid-January

Past questionnaire for reference
Past letter of reference for reference
Past Needs-based Scholarship for reference (Optional)
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Camp Descriptions & Dates

.Bio Boot Camp
For students entering grades 7, 8 & 9 in fall 2020


Together with the  UCD Museum of Wildlife & Fish Biology  and  Campus Recreation  we launched Bio Boot Camp in 2011, a camp for junior high aged students who are interested in the natural sciences. There is limited enrollment and so we ask that the students themselves be part of the enrollment process. This is a full day camp from 8:30 am-5:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday based at UC Davis. Then on Thursday morning we travel to a UC Reserve for an overnight experience either  to the coast at the UC Davis Bodega Bay Marine Lab and Reserve or to the mountains at the UC Berkeley Sagehen Creek Field Station just outside of Truckee in the Sierras. We return to Davis on Friday afternoon.
 Transportation (vans), 3 meals, and housing (bunkhouse or cabin) are provided. Each camp has an enrollment of 12 students and 2 instructors. 

Coastal Session- Not offered in 2020 

Mountain Session- 2020 dates TBD
Monday-Wednesday: 8:30 am-5:30 pm & Thursday 8:30 am-Friday 5:30 pm (Total cost is $425)
Partial need-based scholarships are available.

Bio Boot Camp overview
Monday  (8: 30 am - 5:30 pm) - We get to know each other, play games, explore the UC Davis campus, and go behind the scenes at the two host museums: the Bohart Museum of Entomology and the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology.
Tuesday  (8: 30 am - 5:30 pm)  - We spend the day outside mucking around in local streams, catching insects, observing birds and exploring nature with  guest scientists. Bring a change of clothes and a sense of adventure!
Wednesday (8: 30 am - 5:30 pm)  We go deep into standard museum practices from collecting data to preparing specimens including invertebrates and vertebrates.  This can be a very hands-on day, if you so choose.
Thursday 8:30 am -Friday 5:30 pm (overnight)  The vans get loaded with campers and gear and we visit a UC Reserve to compare the nature and biodiversity of the Central Valley to either the coast or the mountains. We put into practice everything we learned at camp and we have a lot of fun while doing it.  
 Bio Boot Camp 2.0
For students entering grades 10, 11 & 12 in fall 2020


 Together the  Bohart Museum of Entomology,  UCD Museum of Wildlife & Fish Biology, and Campus Recreation  launched Bio Boot Camp 2.0 in 2013 after much enthusiasm from Bio Boot Campers who graduated out of the junior high program. The camp spans 7 days and 6 nights, so Sunday at 2:30 pm to Saturday at 2:30 pm. Pick-up and drop-off will be at the museums on the UC Davis Campus.  The first day the students drive up to the mountains to get to know the ecology of the Sierra and each other and settle in at the  UC Berkeley's Sagehen Creek Field Station outside of Truckee, CA . There we will  conduct a group project and a mini individual project and explore the area and discuss college and career paths. However, this is still camp, so there are wandering hikes, exploring Lake Tahoe, silly games, and a lot of fun throughout. We will be stopping at the UC Davis campus on Friday for part of the day to tour the museums and the campus before traveling to UC Davis Quail Ridge Field Station outside of Winters, CA for the last night of camp. Campers will get to compare the Sierra to the Central Valley, prepare for their presentations  and have their costumed dinner party. Transportation (vans), housing (tents/cabins) and food will be provided, but campers will be expected to help prepare group meals and clean up after themselves. This camp has an enrollment of 10 students and 3 instructors.

2020 Dates TBD
Sunday 2:30 pm -Saturday 2:30 pm (7 days, 6 nights) (Total cost is $795)
Partial need-based scholarships are available.

Quotes

Overall, what was the most beneficial part of the program? "Seeing my child so enthusiastic and engaged with learning about biology in realistic settings and doing realistic tasks. She has learned some practical scientific skills that most people don’t even become exposed to until a much later age." - a parent's evaluation (Bio Boot Camp 2011)

"I loved this camp! It went far past all my best expectations."- a camper's anonymous evaluation (Bio Boot Camp 2016)

"It was so fun!  Loved all the people & activities."- a camper's anonymous evaluation (BBC 2.0 2016)

"I was elated that BBC [2.0] had a broad view of biological topics."-a camper's anonymous evaluation (BBC 2.0 2016)


Other Teen programs that offer hands-on science

 https://johnmuir.ucdavis.edu/education-outreach/gals/

https://precollege.ucdavis.edu/programs

https://cosmos.ucdavis.edu/

https://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/visit/camps_and_classes/summer_camps

https://www.coa.edu/summerprograms/summer-field-institute/

https://cty.jhu.edu/about/

Other Teen programs that offer outdoor experience

https://www.nols.edu/en/about/expeditions/

https://www.thesca.org/serve/choosing-program-thats-right-you
Bohart Museum of Entomology
Crocker Lane
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-0493
​Department of Entomology & Nematology
General information and identification: (530) 752-0493
To schedule tours or borrow displays: (530) 754-0722
Email: 
bmuseum@ucdavis.edu
Open to the public Monday through Thursday, 9am-noon and 1-5pm.
​Closed to the public Friday to Monday and noon-1pm. See calendar for special events.
  • Home
  • About
    • About the Museum
    • Richard M. Bohart
    • About Entomology
    • How To Collect Insects
    • Research >
      • DIY Cabbage White Life Cycle
  • Visiting Us & Outreach
    • Visit Us >
      • Gift shop
      • Visiting the Museum
      • Weekend Events
      • Maps & Parking
    • Outreach Programs >
      • Educational Material Loans
      • Summer Camps >
        • BBC 2.0 2019 info
      • Tours & Traveling Programs
  • Join & Give
    • Volunteer
    • Bohart Museum Society
    • Donate Specimens
  • Contact Us
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Services
  • Museum Resources
    • Insect Info Sheets
    • Collections