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Cal for All: Advancing Sustainable and Equitable Futures

Creating lasting change requires collaboration across industries, communities, and generations. Dr. Yvette Gullatt ’88, M.A. ’94, Ph.D. ’05  will discuss ways innovation, sustainability, and equity can drive a better future.

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Oski Science Camp

Immersive sleep-away camp for 5th and 6th graders at the Lair of the Golden Bear teaches the science, nature, and history of our land.

4 Days, 3 Nights, Nature and You!

The Stanislaus National Forest in Pinecrest, California, is our classroom. Students at camp engage in science- and nature-based activities in a space where they can build strong bonds with each other and their environment, gaining a deeper understanding of the world around us.

Bring your middle school class to Oski Science Camp!

Email lair@alumni.berkeley.edu to learn more and check availability.

Hands-On Physics, Astronomy, Environmental Science, and More

The Lair’s abundant space, activities, and resources provide the perfect environment for kids to experience nature and learn about science. From building spaghetti structures to chatting with UC Berkeley professors — see what hundreds of middle school students have already experienced at Oski Science Camp.

Read the Story
science campers wearing goggles and gloves prepare for an outdoor science activity

Program Information

At 5,600 feet in the Stanislaus National Forest, the Lair of the Golden Bear offers a spectacular mountain setting that allows campers to connect with nature, recharge, and focus on what’s important. We will work with you to tailor your time at camp to fit the goals of your school district. In addition to providing clean cabins, serving three delicious, well-balanced meals per day, and lighting campfires, our goal is to inspire connections to nature, science, and one another. Oski Science Camp is an interactive outdoor educational experience in a collaborative learning environment that fosters personal growth opportunities through individual and team building programs.

Sample Programming and Activities
Hiking
  • Pinecrest Lake hike (2.2 miles round trip) with bag lunch
  • Silent Hike followed by “Sit & Senses” exercise and Nature Journal activity


Lair Staff Lessons (~1 hour each)
  • Thermal Energy
  • Animal Tracks and Scat
  • Climate
  • Pollution Causes, Effects, & Prevention
  • Weather Patterns, Phases of Water, and Erosion
  • Starry Sky Astronomy


Science Projects
  • Star constellation models
  • Geometrical towers
  • Volcano models
  • Bioluminescence


Activities, Team Building, and Ice Breakers
  • Science group name & nature call
  • Stargazing
  • Survival Shelter or Snow Cave Building Competition
  • Popcorn Question & Answer Session
  • Hula Hoop “Don’t Break the Chain”
  • Minute to Win It-style games
  • Scavenger Hunt (learn about animal scavengers)
  • Talent Show
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Sports Equipment and Athletics Courts
Community Guest Speakers
Each session features 3–4 of our Community Guest Speakers delivering 90-minute talks to campers.

John Buckley, Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center (CSERC)
Expert wildlife presentation and professional photography. Teaches the importance of defending water, wildlife, and wild places across our region.

Paul Karpus, Cal Fire Chief
Teaches fire science, safety, and prevention; ecology. Includes fire truck and fire extinguisher demos.

Lloyd Mathiesen and Waylon Coats, Me-Wuk Native American Tribal Leaders
Teaches Native culture, art, song, dance, and dress; local history of the Tuolomne Band of Me-Wuk Indians.

Genie Moore, US Forest Service Ranger
Includes mammals, furs and skulls demo; interactive forest walk discussing ecology of the forest and its trees.

Glen White, Professor of Geology, Columbia College MS
Includes rock demo; classroom and hands-on education in the forest; interactive discussion of earth's physical structure, substance, history, and processes.

Sienna White, Graduate Student, UC Berkeley and Anjali Katta, Researcher, Energy and Resources Group (ERGP and Graduate Student, UC Berkeley
Teaches Delta ecosystem and mud science.

Brian Thomas, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Educator
Includes a drone demonstration and hydroelectricity lesson.
Where’s The Lair?
Oski Science Camp is at the Lair of the Golden Bear in Pinecrest, California (95364) at 5,600 feet elevation. We’re just over 2 hours from Lodi by car, and 30 miles east of Sonora in the Stanislaus National Forest. Pinecrest Lake is 1 mile from camp!
Accommodations
We currently offer fifteen winterized cabins at Camp Oski. Each cabin sleeps up to seven campers, with six bunk beds on the main floor (students) and one queen bed in the loft (counselor). The cabins are heated, and each has its own private bathroom, microwave, coffeemaker, and mini-fridge. Teachers have private accommodations with separate bathrooms from students.

Each cabin includes:
  • Three twin bunks for students
  • One queen bed in a lofted sleeping area for counselor/chaperone
  • Ensuite bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower
  • Heater with thermostat
  • Overhead fan

Food
The Lair offers three hearty meals a day, plus snacks. We can accommodate most dietary needs, including vegan and gluten-free requirements and most other dietary requests.

Oski Science Camp Sample Menu



Day 1
Dinner
Pizza – Caesar Salad – Minestrone Soup – Popsicles

Day 2
Breakfast
Pancakes – Sausage – Fruit Salad – Breakfast Bar

Lunch
Assorted Sandwiches – Chips – Fruit – Snacks (Snacks available on hike)

Dinner
Chicken Tacos – Beans – Tortilla Soup – Churros

Day 3
Breakfast
Belgian Waffles – Fresh Strawberries – Bacon- Scrambled Eggs – Breakfast Bar

Lunch
Mac N Cheese – Chicken Tenders – Chips – Green Salad – Cookies

Dinner
Hamburgers – Hot Dogs – French fries – Ice Cream Cups

Day 4
Breakfast
French toast – Fresh Melon – Sausage Links – Breakfast Bar
What to Expect
A new way of learning! At Oski Science Camp, we spend a lot of time outside, immersing ourselves in what the beautiful forest has to offer. In the spring we expect rain, ice, snow, and lots of mud, so please be prepared to experience the elements.
What to Bring
Clothes
Pack layers to keep warm
  • Long Pants (3-4 pairs)
  • Shirts/Sweatshirts (3-4 pairs)
  • Jacket (warm, waterproof recommended)
  • Beanie and gloves or mittens
  • Pajamas or sweats to sleep in
  • Warm socks and undergarments (5 pairs each)
  • Shoes (2–3 pairs including comfortable tennis shoes, hiking shoes, and rain boots. Campers will need shoes that will protect from muddy or wet paths — no Crocs
  • Slippers or flip-flops for use inside the cabin


Personal Items
  • Bedding for twin-size beds (warm sleeping bag, heavy blanket, fitted twin sheet, and pillow)
  • Umbrella
  • Towel and washcloth
  • Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, sunscreen, etc.)
  • Big plastic bag for dirty clothes
  • Flashlight
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Backpack


Optional
Recreational Items
  • Reading material
  • Playing cards


Miscellaneous
  • Sunglasses
  • Hats
  • Insect repellent
  • Lip balm
  • Band aids


science campers enjoy a presentation of wild life bones and fur
science campers doing a group activity outside
science campers sit around a camp fire with snow on the ground
science camp instructors in lab coats
science campers involved in a learning activity with glow in the dark substances
sixth graders build a snowman
science campers doing a group activity outside
4 boys sitting around a table engaged by a science experiment

What They Say about Science Camp

  • oski holding balloons

    “a wonderful residential outdoor education program”

  • “I feel like I can really zone in when I'm looking at nature.”

  • “...please let all the staff know how appreciative we are for sharing their time and talents in giving our students a memorable science camp experience, one that they will tell their kids and grandkids about.”

  • “...it was low key super fun. I got to hangout with all my friends. I even got to play in the snow. And I didn’t expect the food to be so good.... Thank you for letting me come to Camp Oski Science Camp.”

  • “It’s peaceful here.”

  • “Educating every student in, about, and for the environment is a team effort and best done with community partners.”

  • “Thank you for teaching us about nature.”

Oski Science Camp Program Leaders

Science Camp Bookings

Email lair@alumni.berkeley.edu to learn more and check availability.

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