Coast & Environmental Sciences Summer Camp
Get your feet wet and your hands dirty as you learn about issues impacting Louisiana and the world!
From micro-plastics to pollution and hypoxia, Louisiana's waterways face serious challenges. Coast and Environmental Sciences Camp lets you experience the life of a scientist working to solve them. During this five-day camp, your coast and environmental research will take you out into the field to make observations and collect samples, and then back into a CC&E college laboratory to analyze and present your results. Throughout the course of the week, you will also visit important conservation areas and research sites (and catch glimpse of life at LSU during a campus tour).
Coast & Environmental Sciences Summer Camp will be held June 2 - 6, 2025. It is for students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
In order to register for the Coast and Environmental Sciences Summer Camp, you will need to complete the following steps.
- Online Registration and Payment can be made here, beginning on March 1, 2025. Camp fee is $425.
- Signed copies of the following forms can be emailed to scerva2@lsu.edu or turned in on the first day of camp:
If you are interested in receiving financial assistance, please see the Financial Aid section below before filling out the registration.
1. What are the camp’s start and end times?
Camp Begins: Monday, June 2, 2025
Camp check-in at the College of the Coast & Environment: 8:30AM-9:30AM
Camp Orientation/Camp Begins: 9:30AM
Camp Ends: 4:30PM
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Start Time: 8:30AM
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday End Time: 4:30PM
Camp Ends: Friday, June 6, 2025
Start Time: 8:30AM
Summer Camp Poster Presentation & Reception for campers and their families: 2:00PM-4:30PM
Camp Ends: 4:30PM
2. How many students usually participate?
Enrollment will vary each year, but the camp average is 22 campers.
3. What is the camp registration fee?
The camp registration fee is $425.00.
4. Where will the camp be held?
This is a day camp, to be held in the Energy, Coast & Environment Building, located on South Quad Drive on the LSU campus. Campers can be dropped off on the West side of the building in the C Parking Lot.
5. What type of activities will the camp include?
Our campers will take part in an engaging mix of nature-based and indoor activities, included guided hikes and sampling expeditions, lab-work experiences and other structured activities. They will also have the chance to visit different areas of campus (including the LSU Dairy store).
This camp also includes activities off-campus, weather permitting. This includes field trips to the LSU University Lakes, Fairview Riverside State Park, Lake Pontchartrain and the LSU Center for River Studies.
6. Will lunch be served?
Campers will be provided lunch, snacks, and refreshments during their time at camp. Students are responsible for their own breakfast prior to the start time (8:30AM) of camp each day.
7. How many instructors or supervisors?
The camp will be led by Dr. Sibel Bargu Ates and Dr. Brian Snyder.
The camp coordinator is Dr. Sabrina R. Cervantez.
Two counselors (upper-division undergraduate or graduate CC&E students) provide assistance with camp activities, sample collection, sample analysis, and poster creation.
Additional CC&E faculty members will lead lessons on topics related to Oceanography or Environmental Science topics.
8. What should I bring?
Come dressed for adventure! Campers are encouraged to wear casual clothing they can move in, including a sweatshirt or light jacket (since the building AC can get cold), closed-toed walking shoes, and hat (for outdoor activities).
Closed-toed shoes are required in the laboratories.
Campers may also bring a small backpack, water bottle, bug spray and sunscreen.
9. Where should I park?
If student is commuting to campus in their personal vehicle to attend the summer camp they can purchase an LSU Visitor Parking Pass via the registration form. The LSU Visitor Pass is $12 per day.
10. Where can I drop off my camper?
Campers can be dropped off on the west side of the rotunda building.
11. What if I need financial assistance to attend the summer camp?
A limited number of scholarships will be available for students in need of financial assistance. Please see the Financial Assistance Application on our webpage for more details.
12. Did we miss something?
If you have additional questions, please reach out to Dr. Sabrina R. Cervantez at scerva2@lsu.edu.
We are delighted to welcome campers to campus this summer! Thank you for selecting LSU’s Coast & Environmental Summer Camp!
A limited number of scholarships are available. Selection will be based on financial need and merit. If you are interested in applying, you will need to submit the following to scerva2@lsu.edu
- Coast and Environmental Sciences Camp Financial Aid Application
- A short (500 word) essay describing your interest in coast and environmental science, why you would like to attend the camp, and your financial need
- An academic letter of support
Deadline for scholarship applications is May 1, 2025
Spend the Week as a Scientist
Get hands-on experience as you learn more about Louisiana's natural environments. This camp includes excursions to:
- Lake Ponchartrain Conservancy
- Fairview-Riverside State Park
- LSU Center for River Studies
- LSU Lakes
- LSU Campus Tour
A full schedule will be available prior to the start of the camp.