Headwaters Summer Science Camps
Headwaters Science Institute (programs at Truckee Springs, Serene Lakes, North Lake Tahoe, Webber Lake, Tilden Regional Park, Riverside Elementary School & Wildcat Regional Park), 53964 Sherritt Lane, Soda Springs, CA 95728
About
Headwaters Summer Science Camps offers hands-on outdoor science camps where campers take part in hiking, water exploration, and guided nature investigation. Campers explore plants, wildlife, insects, and water, investigate the mountain ecosystem including plants, animals, weather, and geology, and explore local biodiversity and water science. At some camps, students design and carry out real environmental research projects, design and perform experiments that answer their own questions through the scientific method, and develop their findings from field-based investigations.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Week-long outdoor science day camps and 3–5 day overnight field camps, including Truckee Summer Science Day Camp (week-long day camp), Girls Summer Science Research Camp (4-day, 3-night overnight camp), Introduction to Research Overnight Science Camp (3-day, 2-night overnight camp), Serene Lakes Summer Science Day Camp (three themed weekly sessions), and WCCUSD Summer Science Camp (five weekly sessions)
Since 2014, Headwaters has strived to help kids not only understand how to do research but to access the confidence to complete research independently and to ask questions about the natural world. The organization’s mission is to foster curiosity through science so that students become intrigued by scientific discoveries and begin to question the greater world around them. Headwaters Science Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation.
The leadership and staff team includes founder Megan Seifert, along with Spencer Eusden and Mary Ellen Benier, who helped start Headwaters Science Institute. Program leadership and coordination roles are held by staff such as Matt Ellis-Ramírez (Bay Area Youth Program Coordinator), Baylee Goodwin (Program Coordinator), Jenn Cotton (Senior Marketing, Communications, and Development Manager), Mary Kathryne Schumaker (Bay Area School Program Manager), Megan Joyce (Communications Director and Research Program Manager), Monique Allen (Program and Fundraising Assistant, Bay Area), Chase Oishi (Program Coordinator of the Bay Area), Brea Gillespie (Youth Programs and Research Experience Manager), and Eva Bradman (Program, Marketing, and Fundraising Assistant). Staff credentials include backgrounds in fields such as ecology, zoology, environmental science, biology, environmental policy, and event management, with degrees from institutions including UC Berkeley, Oregon State University, the University of Central Florida, Louisiana State University and A&M College, Cornell University, Syracuse University, Vassar College, Spelman College, UC Davis, San Diego State University, and UC Santa Barbara.
Headwaters Summer Science Camps include programs such as the Girls Summer Science Research Camp, where campers work alongside professional female scientists, and the Introduction to Research Overnight Science Camp, which introduces students to the scientific research process in an outdoor setting. Overnight programs are immersive 3–5 day experiences on Donner Summit in Northern California where students design their own research projects and collect data in the field. Programs are designed to teach the scientific method through student-driven research and are designed to meet NGSS standards, and Headwaters employs graduate students as mentors and provides professional development for teachers. A Counselor-in-Training Program is available for ages 13–15 at multiple camps.
Headwaters Science Institute runs outdoor, hands-on science camps across the Lake Tahoe region and the East Bay Area, including programs such as the WCCUSD Summer Science Camp for WCCUSD students in Richmond. Headwaters has completed an Introduction to Research Field Science Program at McKeesport Area High School, served over 225 students in Richmond, San Pablo, and El Cerrito, led a field trip to the Marin Headlands with Richmond High School, and run research trips in Santa Cruz with students from Latitude High School and LPS Richmond. Staff member Brea Gillespie volunteers with local organizations such as the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Pollinator Posse, and the California Native Plant Society.
Testimonials from participants include comments that the camp allowed them to learn and improve science skills while having fun, interact with females from across California who love science, and recognize the role science might play in selecting a career. One Girls Summer Science Camp participant stated that the camp sparked an interest in science they had never felt before and highlighted learning that science is everywhere and the importance of increasing the number of women in science fields.
Last updated May 10, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Week-long outdoor science day camps and 3–5 day overnight field camps, including Truckee Summer Science Day Camp (week-long day camp), Girls Summer Science Research Camp (4-day, 3-night overnight camp), Introduction to Research Overnight Science Camp (3-day, 2-night overnight camp), Serene Lakes Summer Science Day Camp (three themed weekly sessions), and WCCUSD Summer Science Camp (five weekly sessions)
Since 2014, Headwaters has strived to help kids not only understand how to do research but to access the confidence to complete research independently and to ask questions about the natural world. The organization’s mission is to foster curiosity through science so that students become intrigued by scientific discoveries and begin to question the greater world around them. Headwaters Science Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation.
The leadership and staff team includes founder Megan Seifert, along with Spencer Eusden and Mary Ellen Benier, who helped start Headwaters Science Institute. Program leadership and coordination roles are held by staff such as Matt Ellis-Ramírez (Bay Area Youth Program Coordinator), Baylee Goodwin (Program Coordinator), Jenn Cotton (Senior Marketing, Communications, and Development Manager), Mary Kathryne Schumaker (Bay Area School Program Manager), Megan Joyce (Communications Director and Research Program Manager), Monique Allen (Program and Fundraising Assistant, Bay Area), Chase Oishi (Program Coordinator of the Bay Area), Brea Gillespie (Youth Programs and Research Experience Manager), and Eva Bradman (Program, Marketing, and Fundraising Assistant). Staff credentials include backgrounds in fields such as ecology, zoology, environmental science, biology, environmental policy, and event management, with degrees from institutions including UC Berkeley, Oregon State University, the University of Central Florida, Louisiana State University and A&M College, Cornell University, Syracuse University, Vassar College, Spelman College, UC Davis, San Diego State University, and UC Santa Barbara.
Headwaters Summer Science Camps include programs such as the Girls Summer Science Research Camp, where campers work alongside professional female scientists, and the Introduction to Research Overnight Science Camp, which introduces students to the scientific research process in an outdoor setting. Overnight programs are immersive 3–5 day experiences on Donner Summit in Northern California where students design their own research projects and collect data in the field. Programs are designed to teach the scientific method through student-driven research and are designed to meet NGSS standards, and Headwaters employs graduate students as mentors and provides professional development for teachers. A Counselor-in-Training Program is available for ages 13–15 at multiple camps.
Headwaters Science Institute runs outdoor, hands-on science camps across the Lake Tahoe region and the East Bay Area, including programs such as the WCCUSD Summer Science Camp for WCCUSD students in Richmond. Headwaters has completed an Introduction to Research Field Science Program at McKeesport Area High School, served over 225 students in Richmond, San Pablo, and El Cerrito, led a field trip to the Marin Headlands with Richmond High School, and run research trips in Santa Cruz with students from Latitude High School and LPS Richmond. Staff member Brea Gillespie volunteers with local organizations such as the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Pollinator Posse, and the California Native Plant Society.
Testimonials from participants include comments that the camp allowed them to learn and improve science skills while having fun, interact with females from across California who love science, and recognize the role science might play in selecting a career. One Girls Summer Science Camp participant stated that the camp sparked an interest in science they had never felt before and highlighted learning that science is everywhere and the importance of increasing the number of women in science fields.
Last updated May 10, 2026.
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