5th Grade Watershed

Program & Camp

50 years of outdoor learning, adventure, and discovery!

URGENT! Spring 2025 Important Information

All forms & payments are due March 1st!

Full scholarships available by request in the forms

Program Overview & History


Since 1977, no other school district in the state of Arizona has rivaled PUSD’s award-winning and adventure-filled approach to student learning and character development: the 5th Grade Watershed Program. This unique PUSD program began at Miller Valley Elementary School and continues today with Granite Mountain Upper Elementary School, providing students with memorable, standards-based, hands-on learning opportunities each spring. Students build math, science, language arts, and social studies skills across their community while studying Prescott’s natural environment, human history & innovation, and STEAM topics. The 5th Grade Watershed Program takes place for 6 weeks in 4th quarter, in which ½ the 5th grade classes go on a field trip every Wednesday and the other ½ go every Thursday for 5 weeks. The 6th week, the program culminates with a special celebration of student achievement at the James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center. There, 5th graders (and volunteer chaperones!) spend 3 days and 2 nights in camp cabins adventuring through STEAM activity stations, sharing meals, and celebrating their academic accomplishments. 


The program is facilitated by PUSD Outdoor Learning Center Staff and volunteer City of Prescott AmeriCorps Park Rangers. These hand-selected volunteers go through extensive federal background checks, state fingerprinting, and many hours of instructor content & safety training. 5th graders will be assigned to a small student group with a Park Ranger to guide their learning through the 6 week program under the supervision of PUSD teachers and staff. This small-group learning format ensures safe, individualized, and high-quality instruction for each student throughout the program. We are so excited to begin this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity with your child!

This program would not be possible without many generous donors (James Family Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation, PUSD Education Foundation, Dahlberg Foundation, & family donations); as well as community partners (City of Prescott [Recreation Services, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Environmental Team]), Sharlot Hall Museum, Museum of Indigenous Peoples, Prescott National Forest, University of Arizona James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center, & more!)

THANK YOU!


You too can help make these lifelong memories possible for public school students (for free!)!
Click this link for PUSD Tax Credit Online Payment System and select Granite Mountain School's "5th Grade Camp" as your credit recipient!

Field Trip #1

Students discover the Community Nature Center, get to know their Park Ranger & group peers, learn key vocabulary, and start their program journals!

Wed., March 26th 12:30-2:30

Littrell/Steinberg & Hendren/Lucas

Thurs., March 27th 12:30-3:30

Worden/Oufnac & Helmken/Suggs

Pepe/Dickison

Field Trip #2

Students explore the Granite Dells or Thumb Butte, view their watershed from above, study & create maps, and learn local geology!

Wed., April 2nd 12:30-2:30

Littrell/Steinberg & Hendren/Lucas

Thurs., April 3rd 12:30-3:30

Worden/Oufnac & Helmken/Suggs

Pepe/Dickison

Field Trip #3

Students investigate Prescott's social & ecological history at the Sharlot Hall Museum and make an impact on Prescott's future with a creek stewardship project!

Wed., April 9th 12:30-2:30

Littrell/Steinberg & Hendren/Lucas

Thurs., April 10th 12:30-3:30

Worden/Oufnac & Helmken/Suggs

Pepe/Dickison

Field Trip #4

Students go to Prescott National Forest to visit local historic sites and collect scientific data about upland, riparian, & aquatic ecosystems!

Wed., April 16th 12:30-2:30

Littrell/Steinberg & Hendren/Lucas

Thurs., April 17th 12:30-3:30

Worden/Oufnac & Helmken/Suggs

Pepe/Dickison

Field Trip #5

Students tour Prescott's Wastewater Treatment Plant then head to Watson Woods Riparian Preserve to learn to perform scientific water quality assessments!

Wed., April 23rd 12:30-2:30

Littrell/Steinberg & Hendren/Lucas

Thurs., April 24th 12:30-3:30

Worden/Oufnac & Helmken/Suggs

Pepe/Dickison

Field Trip #6 (Camp!)

Students spend 3 days and 2 nights at the James Family 4 H Camp on Mingus Mountain engaging in STEAM stations and concluding the program with a campfire celebration!

Mon.-Wed. April 28th-30th

Littrell/Steinberg & Hendren/Lucas

Wed.-Fri. April 30th-May 2nd

Worden/Oufnac & Helmken/Suggs

Pepe/Dickison

Questions?

We are available via email, call, or text Monday - Friday 8:00am - 3:30pm


For questions or concerns in ENGLISH

contact PUSD Outdoor Learning Coordinator, Ellen Bashor:

ellen.bashor@prescottschools.com  507-649-2164

For questions or concerns in ENGLISH and

para preguntas o inquietudes en ESPAÑOL

contacta Coordinadora del programa de cuencas, Kacey Griffin:

kacey.griffin@prescottschools.com  609-218-0894