In the photos above and below, Bothwell seventh graders learn about waterborne organisms and plants during an outing at Bay Cliff Science Camp in Powell Township. The tradition of 7th graders camping at Bay Cliff Health Camp for a week to study science is marking 50 years. (Photos courtesy of Bothwell Middle School)

By Bothwell Middle

School Staff

BIG BAY –Bothwell’s Bay Cliff Science Camp is marking 50 years of outdoor learning in one of the most beautiful places in the Upper Peninsula.

In 1973 Bill Laurich, Larry Ruffato, Stu Bennett, and a great team of Bothwell Middle School teachers developed a plan to take all of the school’s 7th graders to Big Bay to learn about science, camping, outdoor cooking, teamwork, math, writing, art, and the enjoyment of being outside.

Since its start, around 11,000 students have participated in the program. This year, Bothwell 7th graders will be at Bay Cliff the week of May 22nd.

Except for a Covid 19 bump, that experience has continued to occur annually since 1973. In 2020 the class’s trip was postponed until the following spring so they would not miss this fabulous experience. In 2021 both seventh and eighth graders participated in separate camps.

Each year students travel to and stay at the ever gracious and accommodating Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay. There students spend an entire week working in two morning and two afternoon classes daily including a science class all students take. The science class studies water quality, invasive species, pond life and a trip to a nearby bog. Nearly all the classes are held outdoors during a week while students leave their devices at home and enjoy being outside.

For the teachers planning the week, it is a bit like setting up a small village as transportation to and from camp, housing, menus, jobs, and daily schedules are all prepared for around 220 students, 40+ counselors, and around 18 staff join in together. High school seniors and college students make up most of the counselor staff, and a variety of community guest instructors help immensely to make the week special for the seventh graders.

Each night also has planned activities, including an animal survival game, a counselor hunt, a dance, a skit night, and a time for s’mores around a campfire.

For the teachers, it is the best week of the year, as is evidenced by the amount of time and effort that goes into fundraising, planning, and their dedicated week to being with students 24 hours a day. For students it is an experience that rates as one of the best middle school experiences for nearly all of them. For many, it is one of their first extended times away from home and a chance to be outside for hours at a time with good friends, great counselors serving as terrific role models, and their teachers. It is one of the most unique middle school experiences in the country. One of the best parts of camp is on Skit night when grandparents come up to visit and relate their favorite memories of their Bay Cliff experience 40 or 50 years ago.