For decades, undergraduates from Brown University’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences have been taking part in weeklong camping trips to the American Southwest. These adventures have become a tradition that combines education, adventure, and community building.
Each year, students embark on these trips to witness environmental and geological processes up close, bringing to life what they have learned in the classroom. The trips offer scenic hikes, experiential learning opportunities, long car rides, and memorable bonding experiences among students, faculty, and staff.
Participants who have attended these trips over the years recall cooking around nightly fires with classmates, stargazing at night, and waking up early to watch red sunrises over desert valleys. These experiences create cherished memories and strengthen the relationships between those who participate.
This year’s trip was no exception as a group of 26 students traveled through iconic locations such as Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park. The trips provide a unique opportunity for students to learn outside of the classroom and form lasting connections with their peers and professors.
The American Southwest has always been an ideal destination for these types of trips due to its diverse landscapes and unique geological features. From towering cliffs to vast deserts, there is no shortage of breathtaking sights to behold.
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions this year’s trip was able to take place thanks to careful planning by department officials. The group followed all safety protocols while still being able to enjoy all that the American Southwest had to offer.
Overall these trips are not only educational but also provide an opportunity for students to unwind from their busy academic lives while making lasting memories with their peers.
