Skwant 4-H Life and Science Camp
Science and the periodic table come alive as students make hand stirred ice cream using liquid nitrogen.
Robert and Abby, campers at Skwant 4-H Life Science Camp, look on as Jeni from Bellevue College adds liquid nitrogen to the ingredients to make vanilla ice cream.
Skwant 4-H Life and Science Camp is an overnight science camp for middle school students’ grades 5th-8th. This camp is held in late June at Paschal Sherman Indian School, on the Colville Indian Reservation, near Omak, Washington.
The WSU Colville Reservation-Ferry County Extension and Washington State
4-H programs partner with, the Paschal Sherman Indian School, the Colville Confederated Tribes, the USDA – ARS Division, Bellevue Community College, the Colville Confederated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Department and the Colville Confederated Tribes TANF Program to make Skwant 4-H Life and Science Camp truly remarkable. This 5-day camp exemplifies science as a fun and hands-on experience. Presenters speak to campers about what they need to be doing now to be successful in their education and careers.
4-H staff, university level researchers, cultural educators, WSU Native American student organizations, WSU student athletes and science-based Colville Reservation professionals seek to engage and inspire students about education, science and the natural environment. This diverse group of presenters and partners make this the only event of its kind.
Throughout the school year, students on the Colville Reservation have the opportunity to participate in science-based experiments presented by USDA and WSU scientists. During camp, students will have the opportunity to visit many of these scientists in their research facilities, through a tour of the WSU Pullman campus. Campers are often astonished at the extent of the research being conducted and are inspired by the power of a good education.
The word Skwant itself is the native place name of the area where the camp is held. This name is translated as “waterfalls”. The beautiful landscape around this area, and a diverse group of presenters, allows camp participants to engage in canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, archaeology and ethno-botany, forestry, geology, chemistry, biology, archery, anthropology, and animal science. In addition to these activities, Skwant 4-H Life and Science Camp is focused on team building, group problem solving and leadership.
Through participation in Skwant 4-H Life and Science Camp, campers gain a solid understanding of educational goal setting. They will have opportunities to meet numerous WSU faculty, staff, athletes and other role models who will positively reinforce the successes achieved at camp, and they will have experienced hands on learning in a setting that is fun, encouraging and supportive.