Watershed Program - Camp Information

James 4-H Camp &

Outdoor Learning Center

All forms & payments are due March 1st!

Full scholarships available by request in the forms!

Camp Program Information:

Every year PUSD 5th graders go to the James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center on Mingus Mountain around the last week of April to first week of May. This year’s camp dates are: April 28th - April 30th and April 30th - May 2nd. The overnight camp is an important cumulative learning experience for the entirety of the Watershed Program and the 5th grade experience.

First day of the adventure, students get the opportunity to “hike to camp” with their teachers, peers, and family while their overnight bags are transported up to the camp to meet them there. Students take the school bus to Yeager Canyon Trailhead along Highway 89, and hike trails & dirt roads from there into camp (~5 miles). Camp is located at appx. 6,000ft elevation in the beautiful Prescott National Forest. Below is a map with driving directions to the camp. There is limited phone service at camp, but there is a direct satellite phone and Wi-Fi for the adults only. Please call the GMUES front office to connect with anyone at the camp.

During the day at camp, students will rotate in small groups between a variety of STEM standards-based & skill-building stations across the campus while completing their Camp Journal. There is a dining hall where meals are served, a large field for recess activities, a group campfire area for songs & activities between stations, and rec hall for evening programs.

There are two Family Information Nights for the 5th Grade Watershed Program & Camp. The first Family Information Night will overview the entire Watershed Program, the second Family Information Night will focus on the overnight camp. If you have questions or concerns specifically regarding your child’s overnight camp experience, we highly encourage you to bring those to the second Family Information Night where you can learn more from our team, ask questions, and even talk with the camp’s director (contact information at bottom of page).

Watershed Program Family Information Night (entire program): Thursday. January 23rd 5:30 - 6:30 in GMUES Cafeteria
- Link to the evening's presentation
Watershed Program Family Camp Information Night (camp details): Thursday, February 20th 5:30 - 6:30 in the GMUES Cafeteria
- Link to the evening's presentation

Camp Rules

No packing food, beverages, or snacks of any kind (except for the first day's hike to camp). Food items in cabins can result in unwanted visits from mice, raccoons, and skunks!
No electrical appliances (ex. hair dryer, music players, tablets, cellphones, or game devices of any kind). Cellphone cameras are NOT allowed, digital or film cameras are allowed at certain times.
No non-prescription or prescription drugs in student bags EVER (see the Parent/Guardian Consent for Giving Rx Medication During School Day Field Trips & Overnight Camp Form for details). There is a camp nurse for first aid and medication administration.
No weapons. No knives, slingshots, squirt guns, or other potentially dangerous “toys”.
There is NO visitation between male and female cabins.
Any deliberate or irresponsible misuse or destruction of camp property will result in the students being returned home to parents/guardians.
No students in buildings not specifically assigned for our use, and NEVER without an adult supervising.
All students are expected to act in a mature, responsible manner in order to ensure a successful educational camp experience.

*There is a cell phone at camp for emergency use. If an emergency arises and a student must be contacted, call GMUES at 928-717-3253 during school hours and they will connect you or contact the camp directly.*

Important Camp Notes:

Supervision & Volunteering

In order to have proper supervision and a great time at camp, we will need parent/guardian/family volunteers. Since camp is about a 1.5 hour drive from school, volunteering can range from a half-day to multi-day commitment. All camp volunteers must be enrolled PUSD volunteers and overnight cabin supervision volunteers are also required to pass a background check. This is a very easy process; learn more on the Volunteering page.

Finances

In order to sustain the program, the per-student cost for the entire Watershed Program field trips & camp is $100. This $100 fee is already generously subsidized by the University of Arizona 4 H Program, GMUES tax credit donors, and the James Family Foundation. Their critical support is what allows us to offer the following financial options for all our students:

Full cost of field trips and camp for my child: $100
Full cost of field trips and camp for my child and another student in-need: $200
Full cost of field trips and camp for my child and an additional donation of any amount: $100 + _____
Qualifying free-lunch recipient program cost: $20
Qualifying reduced-lunch recipient program cost: $50
Full scholarship for field trip and camp costs: $0

*No child will ever be turned away for lack of funds. Please let us know if you need a scholarship or any other supplies or support in order for your child to participate.

This fee helps cover transportation costs for all field trips and camp, two hot dinners, two hot breakfasts, two hot lunches, cabin housing costs, all learning supplies & student journals, and multiple days of exciting outdoor learning activities! In addition, any extra contributions you can make will help us ensure that every child can experience this special 5th grade experience with their peers, no matter their family’s financial situation. We are so grateful for your contributions. Learn more on our Forms & Payments page.