by Summer Programs Coordinator Erika Bessler

Campers proudly display their certificates and badges. | Photo: Joe Montes de Oca

Our 46th Marsh-In Summer Camp was one for the books as we welcomed sixty-six new Junior Rangers to the Refuge! As a long-time Fremont resident, I am honored to have served as this year’s Summer Programs Coordinator for the Society. Having visited the Refuge growing up and even participating in a significant school field trip that led me down the environmental education path, serving my own community was truly a full-circle moment. Seeing the same joy I felt as a child mirrored on the campers’ faces as they explored the Refuge each day was a powerful reminder of the long-lasting impact the Refuge has in fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship! 

Working in collaboration with Tia Glagolev and Sirena Lao, we created a refreshed program with a new Junior Ranger theme. Before camp, we sent campers a copy of our latest At-Home Activities Packet. This educational resource contains low-material activities, crafts, and experiments to engage campers with common Refuge resources and get them started on their Junior Ranger journey. To expand our reach, the packet was also sent to waitlisted campers and posted publicly on our website.

Habitat Hero Rayhan helps campers create their sun print. Photo: Aja Yee

Of course, camp couldn’t run without our dedicated team of Habitat Heroes! This year’s group of 7th-12th grade volunteers showed exceptional growth and leadership skills as the camp progressed. We had four sets of siblings amongst our Habitat Heroes and many more had camper siblings in attendance, signaling the legacy Marsh-In Camp has on families over the years! Also vital to camp’s success was our team of thirteen adult helpers! Thanks to our USFWS and SFBWS staff and volunteers, camp went off without a hitch as they eagerly supported all areas of camp.

Kicking off our three-day camp was a stellar presentation by “the Bearded Ranger” Miguel Marquez, who described his journey to working with USFWS, introducing campers to a potential career path. While initially quiet and reserved, our campers quickly formed friendships and let their curiosity shine as the day progressed. Day one was filled with unique activities like creating eye-catching sunprint crafts, observing what lives underneath coverboards, examining mammal skins and skulls, and exploring Refuge habitats on a “Wild Blue Goose Race!” 

Campers look for signs of life beneath a coverboard. Photo: Joe Montes de Oca

Keeping with our Junior Ranger theme and promoting different careers in science, we welcomed USFWS Biologist Susan Euing for our opening presentation on Day Two! Her discussion of the endangered California Least Tern’s life cycle enthralled our inquisitive campers. Following the presentation, our younger campers spent the day learning about pollination, while the older groups focused on birds. Favorite activities included fast-paced pollinator relays, a bird banding bracelet craft, and a life-size “Migration Game” board game, complete with giant dice! 

Campers gather tule for their boats. Photo: Sirena Lao

Our final day of camp had an exciting start as we welcomed the Tamien Nation, the Aboriginal Tribe of Santa Clara Valley, for our last opening presentation. Representatives Rich and Nico first presented their role in the Cultural Fire Program, eliciting many questions from our campers. Then, the whole camp joined together in the Pavilion to create Tule boats. Challenging, but ultimately rewarding, this craft left campers with another memento to bring home! After two Junior Ranger relays, it was time for the coveted Camp Ceremony, where we welcomed over thirty family members excited to witness their camper’s achievements. This year, we awarded campers with a camp certificate and a Don Edwards Junior Ranger Badge. To close out our week, campers recited the Junior Ranger Pledge and became official Junior Rangers amongst a sea of proud parents! 

Reflecting on this year’s summer camp always brings a smile to my face as I remember long days coordinating, my nerves as campers first stepped off the bus, and pride seeing our camp come to life. Oodles of positive parent feedback demonstrate that we are meeting our mission to provide a camp that is simultaneously fun and educational! I can’t wait to see what next year brings as we continue connecting kids to the Refuge. Special thanks to the Tamien Nation, our sponsors at Cargill and Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program, and to our generous donors for the bus fund.