Desert Rats Program

Desert Rats having fun in Life on the Rocks

Are you a young teen who is curious about nature and wants to know more? Do you know a teen who wants to learn about the desert? If so, then Desert Rats might be for you.

What is the Desert Rats Program?
The Desert Rats Program is designed for young teens (ages 13-15) who show interest and enthusiasm for learning about the Sonoran Desert. Through a variety of fun learning experiences, Desert Rats will deepen their understanding of nature while preparing for future schoolwork, volunteer opportunities and career exploration.
How does the program work?
The Desert Rats meet six times during the school year on Sundays at the Desert Museum. The program is run like a class, each session building on the previous. For the Fall of 2011, there will be one Saturday meeting to coincide with the National Geographic Bioblitz event. The cost of the program is $150 per year, to be paid upon acceptance into the program. Participants must be 13 years of age by the first Desert Rats session in the Fall of 2011. There is a 2-year participation limit.
What does a Desert Rat do?
The Desert Rats sessions run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with 30 minutes for lunch. The sessions focus on natural history investigation, museum exploration, live animal presentations, and hands-on activities. Participants will also have opportunities to further develop their teambuilding and communication skills. This is great preparation for students who intend to apply for the Junior Docent program or other similar opportunities in the future. (Participation in Desert Rats does not guarantee acceptance into the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Junior Docent Program.)
Participants will:
  • Learn about the plants, animals, habitats and ecological relationships of the Sonoran Desert Region
  • Be enthusiastic participants in a variety of learning experiences and have fun!
  • Experience science and nature outside of the classroom
  • Develop teambuilding and communication skills

Desert Rats Schedule for 2011-2012

Registration Materials and Information

Registration materials will be available and accepted June 1, 2011 through September 9, 2011.
To register, download the registration forms, print, complete and return by September 9th, 2011. Limited space is available, so register early.
For more info call: Maria Yannessa (520) 883-3084

Registration forms

Printable Version