Camping trips are essential to the WALC program because we believe that the greatest place to learn is out in nature. When we are camping in magnificent areas like Joshua Tree or Lassen, we are able to not just learn but also experience the environmental science concepts that are central to our curriculum. Camping trips are also an opportunity for us to build community and experience a setting that is radically different but no less real than the urban environment we live in. Through these four to five day field study experiences, WALC students gain the conceptual and experiential edge that enables them to succeed academically and grow as individuals.