Photos courtesy of Manci Rasmussen
Over the summer, from June 25 to July 2, the Turtle Conservancy invited middle school students from Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas to join conservancy staff, camp counselors and volunteers for the organization’s first-ever Turtle Camp held at the Conservation Center in Ojai. Students were immersed in learning about various aspects of turtle conservation and Ojai ecology, including individual chelonian species, conservation management techniques, egg development, the climate crisis and the theory of convergent evolution in giant tortoises.
For many students, Turtle Camp was their first time away from home. Nevertheless, by the end of their week-long adventure, most campers were wishing that it was not coming to an end.
“The milestones these kids overcome, both in knowledge and personal development, was incredible,” says Assistant Director of Education Manci Rasmussen. “This camp was everything we thought it would be and so much more. We look forward to hosting more summer camps in the future!”
