What is MESSY?
The Machias Environmental Summer Session for Youth is a summer camp for students entering grades 7 - 9. At MESSY, you'll engage in hands-on learning focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability.
You'll have the opportunity to work with University of Maine at Machias faculty, actively participating in important work in the field and in the classroom. Afternoons will be spent "majoring" in Environmental Stewardship and during morning sessions you can "minor" in either Creative Writing and Papermaking or Marine Science... the choice is yours!
You will leave MESSY with the knowlege and tools to create solutions to 21st century environmental challenges.
Environmental Stewardship Major
Led by instructor Tora Johnson, MESSY campers will adopt a local river, lake or bay and will spend the week making a short documentary video about it. One day we might find ourselves collecting cool critters, and the next we might be in a college computer lab making high-tech maps. We'll test for pollution, interview experts, and much more. Get ready to get MESSY and make a difference!
Creative Writing and Papermaking Minor
In the Creative Writing and Papermaking minor, instructor Bernie Vinzani will teach you how to make paper from recycled materials such as scrap paper, seaweed, and blue jeans! During the process, you'll reflect on the environment through creative writing. At the end of the week you'll put it all together in a one-of-a-kind book that you'll be able to take home.
Marine Science Minor
Instructor Gayle Kraus will take students in the Marine Science minor to the Atlantic Ocean and explore the various forms of marine life that inhabit the Maine coast. You will learn about the biology and ecology of marine plants and animals inhabiting oceans, rocky shores, tidal pools, marshes, mudflats, and other marine environments. In the Marine Science minor, you will definitely get MESSY!
Activities
When you're not engaged in the major or minor sessions, you'll have the opportunity to take part in a variety of recreational and sports activities including: hiking, canoeing, swimming, basketball, and "Capture the Flag!". The UMM campus has a recreation center and full-size swimming pool available for MESSY campers.
Camp Dates
July 19 - 24, 2009
Camp Fees
$585 per camper
Includes $350 for tuition and $235 for room and meals.
A $100 reservation fee will be required when submitting the application.
To apply for MESSY, click here.
To apply for a MESSY scholarship click here.