Tulsa, Okla., USA – The Trustees of the AAPG Foundation today announced the selection of the inaugural class of Field Camp Scholars, awarding $90,000 in grants to 30 exceptional undergraduate geoscience students representing 20 U.S. states spanning from Maine to Alaska. The scholars were selected from a competitive pool of applicants to form the 2025 Class of Field Camp Scholars.
Each Field Camp Scholar will receive a comprehensive support package, including:
- A $3,000 scholarship to help defray field camp attendance costs
- Professional-grade inscribed backpack and field notebook
- Complete field work supply kit
- GeoLite™ Trans
Bridging Classroom Theory with Real-World Experience
"Field camp is where classroom learning connects to the rocks we study and for many of us was a formative part of our educational experience," said Jim McGhay, chairman of the Board of Trustees. "The Trustees are pleased to support this next generation of aspiring geoscientists in taking this critical step in their academic journey."
The Field Camp Scholarship program addresses a significant barrier for many undergraduate students pursuing geoscience degrees. Field camps, which are required components of many geoscience curricula, can cost thousands of dollars beyond regular tuition and fees, and potentially create financial hardship for students.
"There's a saying among geologists that the person who sees the most rocks wins," said Rick Fritz, executive director of the AAPG Foundation. "This new program is giving these 30 undergraduate students a head start while ensuring that financial constraints don't limit their educational opportunities."
Building Tomorrow's Geoscience Workforce
The 2025 Field Camp Scholars represent diverse academic institutions and geographic regions, reflecting the AAPG Foundation's commitment to supporting students from varied backgrounds as they prepare for careers in the broad field of geosciences, including petroleum, energy minerals, and the environment.
Field camps provide students with hands-on experience in geological mapping, structural analysis, stratigraphy, and field data collection – skills that are fundamental to professional practice in the geosciences.
Supporting the Next Generation
The AAPG Foundation's programs for undergraduate geoscience students, including the Field Camp Scholarship, are made possible by generous contributions to the L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Fund. Those interested in supporting undergraduate students can make donations at donate.aapg.org and search for Foundation Field Camp (L. Austin Weeks) in the pull-down menu for fund designation.
About the AAPG Foundation
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation is a permanent non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation supporting educational and scientific activities in the field of geology. Since 1967, the Foundation has promoted geoscience education by providing funding for educational and research programs that benefit the geologic profession and the general public, with particular emphasis on cultivating a strong and vibrant community of students and professionals focused on petroleum geoscience, energy minerals, and environmental geoscience.
For more information about the AAPG Foundation and its programs, visit foundation.aapg.org.
Media Contact: Susie Nolen, Foundation and Programs Team Lead, Tel: +1-918-560-2634, Email: [email protected]