Camp davis Introduce
For Michiganders searching for a traditional public campground experience in Jackson, the name "Camp Davis" might appear on a map, but it's crucial to understand that this facility serves a very specific and unique purpose. Located at 219 S Portage Rd, Jackson, MI 49201, USA, Camp Davis is not a typical public campground open to recreational campers. Instead, it is a renowned field station operated by the University of Michigan, primarily dedicated to intensive academic programs in Earth and Environmental Sciences. This distinction is vital for local users, as misinterpreting its function could lead to disappointment.
As one insightful review humorously noted, "Silly little campground. I loved it. But I wouldn’t recommend you go. There’s nowhere to camp :o" This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the reality of Camp Davis: while it offers an "outdoor" living experience, it's tailored for students and researchers, not for public tent or RV camping. Established in 1929, it has a rich history as a pivotal site for experiential learning, providing University of Michigan students and occasionally those from other institutions with unparalleled opportunities for field-based geological and environmental studies.
Therefore, if you're a local resident looking for a weekend camping trip with your family, a place to park your RV for leisure, or simply a spot to pitch a tent, Camp Davis is not the destination you're seeking. Its "campground" moniker refers to the structured living arrangements for its academic programs, which include rustic cabins and areas for "car camping" as part of specific coursework. Understanding this specialized role is key to appreciating Camp Davis for what it truly is: a vital academic and research hub contributing to the scientific understanding of our planet, right here with a mailing address in Jackson, Michigan (though its primary field operations are in Wyoming).
Camp Davis lists its address as 219 S Portage Rd, Jackson, MI 49201, USA. This address is important to clarify, as it pertains to the University of Michigan's administrative or satellite presence in Jackson, or perhaps a historical connection. However, the actual operational and primary field site of "Camp Davis" for its renowned academic programs is the Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station, located near Hoback Junction in Jackson, Wyoming. This distinction is paramount for anyone in Michigan considering a visit.
For Michigan locals, while the Jackson, MI address exists, it does not represent a public camping facility. The University of Michigan's Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, based in Ann Arbor, manages Camp Davis, and the Jackson, MI address likely serves as a logistical or historical point of contact within Michigan, or perhaps a local office related to its operations. Students participating in the field programs often depart from Ann Arbor, Michigan, for their journey to the Wyoming site. Therefore, accessibility for public recreational camping at the Jackson, MI address is not applicable.
The true "Camp Davis" in Wyoming is nestled in the mountains south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, between the Hoback River and Bridger-Teton National Forest. This location offers rugged terrain and diverse geology crucial for the field studies conducted there. For Michiganders interested in the academic programs offered by Camp Davis, they would typically apply through the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus and then travel to Wyoming for the immersive field experience.
Given that "Camp Davis" at the Jackson, MI address is not a public recreational campground, the services offered are not typical for a commercial camping facility. Instead, the services provided by the University of Michigan's Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station (located in Wyoming) are entirely geared towards its academic and research mission. Therefore, while this information doesn't apply to a public campground in Jackson, MI, it's crucial context for understanding "Camp Davis":
- Field-Based Courses: Camp Davis offers intensive summer courses in Geology, Environmental Science, and related Earth disciplines for undergraduate students, primarily from the University of Michigan but also from other accredited institutions.
- Rustic Cabin Accommodations: Students and faculty reside in rustic, uninsulated cabins. These cabins typically include basic furnishings like bunk beds, concrete floors, and sometimes small sinks. Some newer cabins may offer running water, electrical outlets, and USB charging stations.
- Dining Facilities: Meals are provided for program participants in a communal dining hall. The culinary team often customizes menus to accommodate various dietary needs.
- Classroom and Meeting Spaces: The facility includes spaces for lectures, presentations, and group discussions, supporting the academic curriculum.
- Laboratory Facilities: Basic lab equipment and facilities are available for sample analysis and research activities related to field studies.
- Transportation (Program-Specific): Transportation is often arranged for students from the Ann Arbor campus to the Wyoming site and for field excursions during the program.
- Health and Safety Protocols: Comprehensive health and safety measures are in place for students engaged in fieldwork, including guidance on high-altitude hiking and navigating challenging terrain.
- Laundry Facilities: Access to laundry facilities is typically provided for students during their stay.
It's important to reiterate: these services are exclusive to enrolled students and faculty participating in the University of Michigan's academic programs at their Wyoming field station, not for public access or recreational camping at any Jackson, MI location.
The "features and highlights" of Camp Davis, specifically the University of Michigan's field station in Wyoming, are centered around its unique academic and environmental aspects. These are not typical campground highlights, but rather educational and research advantages:
- Premier Field Research Location: Situated within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, at the intersection of the Yellowstone hotspot, Rocky Mountains, and Basin and Range geological provinces, it offers unparalleled access to diverse and complex geological, ecological, and historical sites. This makes it an "ideal outdoor classroom."
- Experiential Learning: The curriculum is heavily field-based (often 80% outdoor fieldwork), providing hands-on experience in geological mapping, ecosystem science, environmental science, and energy sustainability. Students are actively engaged in hiking, camping, and exploring as part of their coursework.
- Dedicated Faculty and Low Student-to-Instructor Ratio: Students benefit from instruction by University of Michigan faculty, with typical student-to-instructor ratios of 6:1, ensuring personalized guidance and mentorship.
- Proximity to National Parks: Field trips often include excursions to iconic national parks such as Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, offering students direct observation of world-class geological phenomena and ecosystems.
- Immersion in Natural Environment: Despite the academic rigor, the remote setting provides a unique opportunity for students to live immersed in nature, experiencing a distinct "mountain life" with limited cell service, promoting focus and connection with the environment.
- Historic Camp Setting: Established in 1929, the camp has a rich history and offers a rustic living experience in cabins, providing a sense of tradition and simplicity that complements the intensive fieldwork.
- Physical and Intellectual Challenge: Courses are described as accelerated and physically demanding, involving significant hiking at high altitudes, pushing students both intellectually and physically in a supportive environment.
- Community Building: Living and studying together in a remote setting fosters strong bonds and lifelong friendships among students.
These highlights underscore Camp Davis's identity as a specialized academic field station, not a recreational public campground in Michigan.
As clarified, "Camp Davis" with the address 219 S Portage Rd, Jackson, MI 49201, USA, refers to a University of Michigan entity, most likely an administrative or logistical point. The primary operational location for the University of Michigan's Camp Davis field programs is in Wyoming. Therefore, direct contact information for public camping at the Jackson, MI address is not available because it is not a public campground.
For those interested in the academic programs or general information about the University of Michigan's Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station, the contact details are typically through the University of Michigan's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in Ann Arbor, MI, or the field station in Wyoming:
- University of Michigan Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (Ann Arbor, MI Campus):
- Phone: (734) 615-8600
- Email: campdavis@umich.edu
- Camp Davis Rocky Mountain Field Station (Wyoming Site):
- Address: 13405 S Bryan Flats Rd, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, USA
- Phone: (307) 733-3091
For details on specific program applications, deadlines, or information for prospective students, consulting the University of Michigan's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences website for Camp Davis is the most accurate approach.
For Michigan locals, it is crucial to understand that "Camp Davis" at the 219 S Portage Rd, Jackson, MI address is not a suitable destination for recreational camping. It is not a public campground where families or individuals can simply show up with tents or RVs for a weekend getaway. The single customer review provided, stating "There's nowhere to camp :o", succinctly captures this reality. The location in Jackson, MI, serves as an administrative or historical reference point for the University of Michigan, whose primary Camp Davis field station for academic purposes is actually located in Wyoming.
Therefore, for Michigan residents seeking a place for traditional camping, whether it's tent camping, RV camping, or cabin rentals, Camp Davis in Jackson, MI, would lead to disappointment. There are no facilities or services for public recreational use at this address. Its suitability for locals lies exclusively within the realm of academic pursuit, for University of Michigan students (or eligible guest students) who are enrolled in specialized geology or environmental science field courses.
For these specific local students, Camp Davis (the Wyoming field station) offers an unparalleled and unique educational experience, providing invaluable hands-on learning in a world-class geological setting. It's a challenging and rewarding academic program, fostering deep scientific understanding and personal growth through immersive fieldwork. However, as a destination for general outdoor recreation or a family camping trip, it is not applicable for the vast majority of Michigan residents. Locals looking for public camping opportunities should explore Michigan's extensive network of state parks, recreation areas, and private campgrounds, which are explicitly designed for public leisure and recreation.
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Silly little campground. I loved it. But I wouldn’t recommend you go. There’s nowhere to camp :o
Aug 13, 2024 · Anna
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