KGS PALEOCAMP- A MODEL FOR ACCESSIBILITY IN GEOLOGY DAY CAMPS FOR GRADES 1-6

In March 2024, the Kansas Geological Survey hosted our first week-long, fossil-themed youth camp called Paleocamp. We hosted 14 kids, ages 7-12, taught them paleontological concepts and took them on field trips to the Natural History Museum of KU and local fossil sites. Participants were given the opportunity to examine fossil specimens, create their own fossil casts, and hunt and identify fossils in the field using an original Paleocamp guidebook. Since its inception, we implemented strategies to make Paleocamp accessible for families and kids. We made Paleocamp free to help low-income families access high quality science activities. Additionally, we helped kids that struggle with certain mental or physical traits to excel and have fun at Paleocamp. For instance, we emphasized paleontology careers that do not require outdoor accessibility, such as collections managers, fossil preparators, and researchers. These careers help break the stereotype of paleontologists working in the field and show young scientists that they can be geologists even if they have mobile limitations. Our fossil sites were also chosen to show kids they could easily find fossils within their own communities at areas such as parks, road cuts, and rivers. We highlighted these locations to reinforce that paleontology can happen anywhere, and isn’t a discipline limited to exotic television locations and museums. By the end of the week, we observed an increased level of information retention as demonstrated by participants’ ability to identify common invertebrate fossils of Kansas and where to look for them. Surveyed parents expressed gratitude for the camp, emphasizing how much fun their child had and their increased interest in the outdoors. Overall, Paleocamp was a success for the Kansas Geological Survey and we are planning to host it again next year with additional support from sponsors to further increase the accessibility of the free program.