Ecology Day Camp
STEM
Students: Rising 1st-6th grades |
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Dates: Six week-long sessions from June 1-July 13, 2026 |
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Duration: 1 week for 6 weeks |
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Format: Commuter only |
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Cost: $195 per week |
Deadline: May 1, 2026 |
Get ready for an exciting outdoor adventure at Ecology Day Camp! Students will explore nature, discover local wildlife, and learn how to protect the environment through hands-on activities. From tracking animals to testing water, using microscopes, and creating nature-inspired art, each week offers a new adventure focusing on all the great State of Mississippi has to offer.
Guided by experts, students will have fun while developing skills in scientific observation and environmental stewardship. It’s the perfect mix of exploration and learning!
Sponsoring Department: Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)
Location: UM Field Station at 15 Co Rd 202, Abbeville, MS 38601 (20 minutes from downtown Oxford)
Registration for each week closes when capacity is reached or by the deadline, whichever comes first. To increase your chances, submit your registration and paperwork by May 1.
To prepare for their week, students will attend an online orientation via Zoom before the program begins.
1. Create an Account
Use a personal (non-school) email to register. Within 3 business days, you'll receive an email from umprecollege@myschoolapp.com with instructions to set up an account in our Admissions Portal.
2. Pay to Secure Spot
Once in the Admissions Portal, follow the steps for payment to confirm your student’s place.
3. Complete Registration Checklist
In the Admissions Portal, complete your assigned registration checklist within 14 days or by the program deadline. This includes contact info, academic history, agreements, and medical forms.
Each student must have their own MySchoolApp account. Parents and guardians with more than one student can manage all of their students' application checklists from a single Parent account.
Students entering 1st-5th grades DO NOT need to have their own MySchoolApp account.
After Registration
- Parents will receive an email with program details one weeks before the start date.
- All day programs and SIPs will require families to view a video orientation of program expectations, rules and guidelines, etc.
Need to register more than one student?
Our system only allows one student registration per transaction.Complete one student’s registration, then start a new registration for the next student.
Before the program begins
You’ll receive a detailed pre-summer logistics email and a pre-arrival checklist on your MySchoolApp account.
Incomplete or Late Registrations
- After payment, please complete all steps within 2 weeks.
- Our team relies on this information to plan and schedule for the summer, so any registrations left incomplete or applications that are inactive after 3 weeks will incur a $20 late fee unless an extension is requested.
Refund Policy
- Cancel at least 2 weeks before the session for an 80% refund.
- Refunds are not available for cancellations made less than 2 weeks before the camp.
- Full refunds will be issued if the camp is canceled due to low enrollment.
A Typical Day
Check-in will be from 8:00-8:15 a.m., followed by morning instructional programming, lunch, and afternoon enrichment activities. After student work time from 3:30-4:30 p.m., students await pick-up at the commuter drop-off location until 5:00 p.m.
A detailed schedule and more information will be provided before the program begins.
Benefit for UM Faculty and Staff
Full-time University of Mississippi employees can choose one of these payment options:
- Upfront Payment: Pay $170/week with a credit card and save $25 per week.
- Payroll Deduction: Pay $195/week over six pay periods, starting in July. Available until June 15th.
Only one payment option can be used per week; both options cannot be combined.
Financial Aid available.
Need-based assistance is available for Rebel Quest and other summer programs. Only one week per child can be scholarship-funded. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Weekly Themes
Week 1: Mississippi Water Bodies (Rising 5th-6th Grades)
June 1-5, 2026
Week 2: Mississippi Wild Animals (Rising 1st-2nd Grades)
June 8-12, 2026
Week 3: Mississippi Ecosystems (Rising 3rd-4th Grades)
June 15-19, 2026
Week 4: Mississippi Plants (Rising 1st-2nd Grades)
June 22-26, 2026
Week 5: Mississippi Insects & Little Critters (Rising 3rd-4th Grades)
July 6-10, 2026
Week 6: Mississippi's Eco-Challenges (Rising 5th-6th Grades)
July 13-17, 2026

