GEODES (Geoscientists Encouraging Openness and Diversity in Earth Sciences) is a grad student-run group in the Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) Department at UCSC. We are focused on building community among EPS faculty and students, and breaking down barriers to inclusion of underrepresented groups in Earth sciences. One such barrier is the assumption that earth scientists all have experience camping in the outdoors. Because many undergraduate EPS courses require camping overnight field trips, GEODES strives to make this experience easier for first-time campers. This camping retreat will provide an opportunity for undergraduates who have never camped before to gain experience and confidence camping in the outdoors in an inclusive and relaxed setting. GEODES leaders will rent equipment for students who don't have their own, and run tutorials on how to set up and break down camp. There will be campfire breakout discussions on topics surrounding inclusion and diversity in the earth sciences. The goal of this retreat is to leave students feeling included as earth scientists, and confident in their ability to camp in the outdoors, so that during overnight field trips they can focus on science.

Approved