“GeoGirls is a program for middle-school girls that builds interest in earth science and confidence in both individual and collaborative pursuits. It helps take the mystery out of what it means to be a scientist and exposes youth to types/topics of science that they never knew existed or GeoGirls”
During the course of the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute’s overnight field-based camp, girls will tour Mount St. Helens, visit researchers in action, conduct a focused research project with real scientists, visit the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and conduct a volcanic crisis mission that builds on concepts learned throughout the week. This program is FREE for all youth.
Watch the GeoGirls overview video HERE!
Who participates in GeoGirls - 20 girls (cis and transgender) graduating from 7th and 8th grade from Oregon and Washington
Who participates as a GeoGirls HS mentor - 4 girls (cis and transgender) graduating from 10th-12th grade from Oregon and Washington {**Application deadline extended to March 15, 2026**)
Complete the online GeoGirls application
Ask a teacher to complete an online Teacher Recommendation Form.
As one of four High School Mentors, you will...
Participate in GeoGirls as mentors for a team of middle school GeoGirls throughout the week
Participate in activities as a student leader, modeling the 3 R's: respect for self, others & place
Lead morning and evening checklists for your middle school group to help them get prepared for the day’s activities
Lead a group debrief at the conclusion of research projects on Day 3 and Day 4 to reflect on the research project and what was learned
Present about the group’s experience participating in research projects to the larger GeoGirls camp in the evening
Organize middle school group members to present on the group’s experience participating in research projects to the larger GeoGirls camp during dinner or at other times
Design and organize the final poster Storymap project
Lead the group in presenting the final Storymap poster project to parents and guardians on the final day of camp
Assist with other parts of making camp special for all involved!
Who can participate to be a mentor MS/HS science teacher? Teacher mentors are female (cis and transgender) middle school or high school science teachers in Oregon and Washington. Applications are now OPEN until filled - applications are still open! Teacher Mentors will assist with all camp logistics, including:
Provide a bridge between scientist mentors and the youth participants.
Be responsible for a group of 5 middle school GeoGirls and 1 High School Mentor. Duties include driving your group, participating in camp activities with your group, supervising your group for safety and well-being, identifying and responding to behavioral issues, and being a consistent and compassionate role model.
Assist Mount St. Helens Institute staff with program logistics such as dining hall management, getting youth ready with field gear, activity setup & clean-up.
Where does GeoGirls take place?
Families are responsible for transporting their girls to the drop off location and picking them up at the end of the camp. MSHI provides all transportation during the week.
Drop-off location is at Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington.
Our camp takes place for 4 days at the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater. This is our home base and is a visitors center open to the public daily from 10AM - 4PM with fantastic views of Mount St. Helens, access to hiking trails and recreation on Coldwater Lake, indoor restrooms, exhibits, a campground, and a dining hall. The Science and Learning Center is located in the blast zone from the May 18, 1980 eruption.
During camp we also visit the Trail of Two Forests & Ape Cave, the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center at Seaquest State Park.
Pickup location is at Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington.
Learn more and apply today HERE!