Staff Spotlight
Joel Egbert recently joined KSS as our Program Manger of Summer and Outreach programs. In his new role, he is responsible for managing our exciting summer youth programs and our programs with Keystone Resort. Joel has shared the answers to a few questions so that you can get to know him a little better.
What experience do you bring to KSS and its students?
In almost 9 years of being a part of the Camps Industry, I have met some amazing people and with them, done some incredible things. I have invented new programs and presented them to hundreds of camp professionals and thousands of campers. Most importantly I have helped adults be kids again, children be leaders, and counselors be inspirations.
What is the most exciting part of being at KSS?
Being surrounded by people that are truly passionate about their job. I love being in a room full of dreamers, where every idea can be a good idea. The mission of the Science School is so much more than a tagline on a brochure – it’s a way of life.
What is one thing you want KSS students, teachers and parents to know about you?
I remember what it was like to exist as a child. I remember what was really fun & what was supposed to be fun. I remember things that made me want to learn. I remember wanting to do things that I really didn’t want to do at first & loving it later. I use those memories in all that I do. When I was a kid, I never realized how much the things I did then would affect who I am now. Take an 8 year old, put them on a mountain top, in the dirt looking for critters, in a cabin full of brand new friends, & send them back home – watch who that 8 year old becomes after pocketing those experiences. I bet they end up a pretty cool person.
What is your favorite Rocky Mountain animal and why?
Since they haven’t found any sharks up here yet, I will have to go with the long tailed weasel.
Two Youth Policy Summits?!?
It is the fourth year of The Keystone Center Youth Policy Summit program and for the first time, we are proud to host 2 Summits. Occurring from June 16-23, the first summit will build off the work of the previous 2 years’ summits and investigate the topic of reducing obesity in America. The second summit from August 4-11 will ask students to recommend how to make the United States the world leader in energy efficiency over the next 50 years. These projects will bring a total of 80 high school students from 20 schools in 14 different states to Keystone, CO for one week. These summits will follow 3-4 months of preparation and online collaboration between these talented students from around the country. This is an exciting development for KSS and it demonstrates the wonderful synergy occurring between KSS and The Keystone Center for Science Public Policy.
Snow Science on the Web
KSS and the Professional Education and Leadership (PEL) divisions of The Keystone Center for Education have joined forces to give students and teachers more options for studying snow science in their classroom and in the field. Hands on the Land (HOL) is a program of the PEL division that creates a network of field classrooms stretching across America from Alaska to Florida.
In collaboration with KSS, a new HOL database was developed that allows students to observe the winter’s weather history through the various snowpack layers and the degree of change in snow grains. From these observations, students can calculate the amount of water available for homes, industry and agriculture. Students studying snow science at KSS are also learning more about avalanche risks through the study of the winter’s snowpack.
After spending time studying the snowpack in Keystone, students can return to their classrooms and continue monitoring the snowpack as other students enter data into the HOL website. Learn more about the science involved in snowpack monitoring and its benefits by visiting the HOL website’s Environmental Monitoring link at:
In addition, some of the local fifth grade students from Summit Cove Elementary recently visited KSS, used the website and were featured in the Summit Daily News. The article can be found at the following link:
| Upcoming Events and Announcements |
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| Pancake Breakfast and Open House |
Saturday, April 28th, 8:30 am - 11:00 am |
| Youth Policy Summit on Obesity in America |
June 16th-23rd |
| Summer Youth Programs 2007 |
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| Nature Discovery Day Camp: |
Monday-Friday of each week, July 1st-August 4th |
| Introduction to Discovery Camp for ages 7-11: |
June 27th-30th |
| Discovery Camp for ages 8-13 and Counselor Assistant Program for ages 14-17: |
Session 1 – July 2nd to July 7th
Session 2 – July 9th to July 14th
Session 3 – July 16th to 21st
Session 4 – July 23rd to 28th
Session 5 – July 30th to August 4th |
| Keystone Mountain Adventures for ages 14-17: |
Session 1 – July 9th to July 14th
Session 2 – July 16th to July 28th |
| Youth Policy Summit on Energy Efficiency |
August 4-11 |
| 10th Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser at Dos Locos Restaurant |
Friday, August 17th |
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