Kansas Geological Survey’s Paleocamp gives students hands-on lessons about fossils

The Kansas Geological Survey’s third annual Paleocamp attracted students from towns across Kansas for five days of hands-on activities focused on paleontology. The free, educational camp is offered to fourth- through sixth-grade students during spring break at the KGS headquarters in Lawrence. The camp started in 2023 and now has three dozen student alumni who have completed the experience. 

The idea for the camp came from Blair Schneider, KGS Outreach Manager and mom of an elementary schooler. “As a parent, I know what it’s like trying to find exciting camps and programs for my kid throughout the year,” she said. “Spots are limited and the costs can be really high. I just thought, ‘What if we could offer a free experience for kids and get them just as excited about geology as we are?’ So that was my main goal: make this fun, memorable, free, and accessible to continue to help out our amazing community.”

“Paleocamp encourages kids to rethink our state as a source of possibilities,” said Andy Connolly, former KGS Science Communications Specialist and camp director. “They learn that we can find a variety of creatures and plants from millions of years past all through easy access to our parks, rivers, or even backyard.”  

This March, the camp drew students from Lawrence, Kansas City, Topeka, Lenexa, Overland Park, Edgerton, Cottonwood Falls, Princeton, Atchison, and Onaga. Connolly said it was the most geographically diverse group of campers yet.  
 

The Kansas Geological Survey’s annual Paleocamp attracted students from communities across the eastern third of Kansas. 

As part of KGS outreach efforts to advance science and serve Kansans, Paleocamp gives 12 students an opportunity to learn about topics that may not be covered in their schools’ science classes. Campers meet paleontologists, explore the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, and go on field trips related to Kansas fossils. In addition to Connolly, camp staff included Tommy Warden, KGS employee; Joshua Fortner, KGS student employee; Kris Super, Director of Paleontology and Head Fossil Preparator at El Quartelejo Museum in Scott City, and junior counselor Pearl Kieffer, who attended the camp in 2025.  

Although the current camp curriculum is focused on eastern Kansas paleontology, Connolly said over time it could be expanded to serve students in other parts of the state — including those unable to travel to Lawrence for the camp. Schneider and her team are working on proposals to funding agencies to make this a reality.  

“I hope that we can establish satellite camps across our state and reach kids who would otherwise miss out on this great opportunity,” Connolly said. “You can go almost anywhere in our state and be able to find fossils from ages past. A camp in eastern Kansas may look for Paleozoic fossils whereas a Paleocamp in western Kansas may look for Cretaceous fossils instead.”  

Many parents of this year’s campers discovered the opportunity through the KGS Facebook page. Kalen Anderson was eager to give her child the chance to participate in Paleocamp.  

“My son loves paleontology and had no idea I was applying to this camp for him,” Anderson said. “He still has his email acceptance printed out next to his bed.” 

During their busy week at Paleocamp, this year’s campers played a new card game titled Specimania created by Connolly and Sunday Siomades, who just stepped into the role of KGS Communications Coordinator. In this game, players act as curators and collect Kansas fossils to fill their museum. Kansas City artist Corbin Rainbolt helped bring the fossils to life by creating images of the prehistoric creatures. 

“My son was really excited about the card game,” said Jen Bussen, a parent of one of the campers. 

Parents of campers gave high praise to the Paleocamp counselors and activities. Some parents, like Sasha Raab, even noticed her child pointing out fossils in the limestone around their home after the camp. Raab is grateful for the opportunity the camp gave her daughter.  

“The experience was exactly what she was looking for,” Raab said. “I think it was really valuable for her to see what it would be like to be a paleontologist when she grows up.”  

Paleocamp will be offered in 2027 during KU spring break. Email kgssocials@ku.edu for more information and keep up to date on the KGS website. 

“I would recommend this camp to anyone who has a kid interested in it,” Bussen said. “This was all kids who wanted to be there, so they had that common interest, which made it very enjoyable.”  

The KGS is a nonregulatory research and service division of KU. KGS researchers study and provide information about the state’s geologic resources and hazards, including groundwater, oil and natural gas, critical materials, and earthquakes.