Cabins
Students sleep between two to four to a cabin in cabins newly constructed in 2019. Each structure is 12′ x 22′ with a large covered porch, vinyl plank floor, wood interior and cement siding and metal roof. Each cabin is outfitted with bunk beds, a bathroom, lights, electrical outlets and USB charging stations. En route to camp, students often get to know each other and come up with their preferences for roommates. Cabins are assigned by camp staff, and roommate requests are usually granted. All beds are singles, and students are encouraged to bring sheet sets and pillows.
Laundry
Washing machines are located on the premises and can be used free of charge. Dryers are not available, and all clothes are line dried. Detergent can be purchased in town or at the Chizzler Hole, the camp store. Laundry facilities are also located within the town of Jackson.
Internet and Cell Phone Service
Wired internet access is available in all campus classrooms. Wireless internet access is located throughout the Camp Davis campus, and is open for all to use. Because of our remote location, internet speeds can vary throughout the day and night. All Camp Davis students, staff and faculty agree to abide by the U-M Network Responsible Use Agreement.
Cell phones do not receive service in the Hoback Valley, where Camp Davis is located. Cell phone service is spotty throughout the Jackson Hole area, but works well in the town of Jackson and on top of many area peaks. A landline phone is available for student use 24/7 at the Camp Davis store. This phone is equipped with local and long distance service within the continental United States. International, Hawaii, or Alaska callers will need to use a prepaid phone card. Students are expected to limit phone use when other students are waiting.
Emergency satellite phones are issued to student groups hiking and camping on free days.Cell phones do not receive service in the Hoback Valley where Camp Davis is located.
Dining
Camp Davis’ dining hall serves breakfast and dinner each day. Following breakfast each morning, students pack a bagged lunch using supplies set out in the dining hall and eat it during lunch breaks, whether in the field or the classroom. Breakfast and dinner are served family style at 12-person tables in a lively and vibrant mess hall.
Dietary Needs and Restrictions
Staff accommodate a wide variety of dietary restrictions and preferences. we are able to assist students who have concerns by identifying ingredients to screen for common allergens, and kitchen staff can make allergen-free meals for students with major restrictions. Because of shared kitchen facilities, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate Kosher or Halal diets at this time. While kitchen staff are not able to modify family-style dishes to accommodate dietary restrictions, students with dietary restrictions have generally not faced significant challenges in eating at camp due to individual options we’re able to offer.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served each morning from 6:30 – 7:30 am. Menus vary daily, and may include scrambled eggs, omelets, frittata, french toast, pancakes, waffles, crepes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, fresh fruit, oatmeal, yogurt, dry cereal, juice, milk etc. Coffee is available at each meal.
Lunch
Students pack their lunch each morning prior to eating breakfast. Items available include various breads and wraps, deli meats and cheeses, veggies and condiments, hummus, red pepper spread, various side salads, chips, and drinks.
Dinner
Dinner is served each evening from 6:30-7:30pm. Menus include several hot entrees and side dishes. Vegetarian entrees are available each day, as is a large salad bar.
Classrooms
Camp Davis has three heated classroom buildings of varying capacity. Classrooms are outfitted with wireless access points, computer desktop workstations, digital projectors, and dry erase and chalkboards. While much of the teaching and learning for camp courses takes place in the field, students can also expect to have classroom days preparing for and processing learning done in the field.
Camp Store (Chizzler Hole)
The Camp Davis store is open each evening for students to purchase snacks, candy, ice cream, soda, laundry detergent, water bottles, hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts etc. In addition, the camp store also sells course related material including pens, pencils, field notebooks, rock hammers and hand lenses. Student mailboxes and a landline phone are also available at the store.
Packages or letters sent to students can be picked up in the camp store. It’s important to note that family and friends sending packages should use UPS or FedEx. Regular United States Postal Service packages will not be delivered to Camp Davis and will need to be picked up in town. Package deliveries via any carrier (USPS, UPS, or FedEx) take longer delivery time than throughout Michigan and other more populated destinations in the eastern US.
Postcard and standard postage stamps are available for purchase. Letters and packages should be addressed as follows:
Student Name
UM Camp Davis
13405 S. Bryan Flat Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001
Recreational Spaces and Equipment
Camp has a large rec hall with ping-pong, pool, and shuffleboard tables, equipment for which can be checked out. There is a volleyball court and small basketball area on the camp grounds. Outdoor recreational equipment can be checked out free of charge from the camp store. These items include Frisbees, basketballs, volleyballs, darts, kickballs, cornhole bags, and numerous board and card games.
Transportation and Vehicles
Ground transportation via University of Michigan vehicles from Ann Arbor to Camp Davis and back again is provided as part of the course fees. Travel takes approximately 2.5 days. The class camps in state parks overnight during travel. Course dates listed include this transportation time.
Camp Davis Caravan
The Camp Davis “caravans” are comprised of UM minivans and cargo vans. Caravans are grouped by course and generally have no more than 5 vehicles. Graduate Student Instructors (GSI) provide leadership and guidance during the drive. Each vehicle is assigned at least two volunteer student drivers, who drive no more than 3 consecutive hours. Students are urged to take advantage of the caravan for travel to camp. The caravan not only reduces logistical complexity but gives students the opportunity to meet and build relationships with each other and their GSIs. Students attending Earth 440 or 344 may be required to use the caravan, as regional field instruction sometimes begins prior to arrival at Camp Davis.
Student and Faculty Drivers
Students and faculty with valid driver’s licenses and without significant traffic violations on their records are asked to help drive in the caravan and during camp. Driver eligibility is checked and confirmed by UM Fleet Services prior to departure. Instructions for driver approval can be found on the UM Fleet Services website.
Van Use
Everyone is expected to treat the vehicles with care, as the cost of repairs to these vehicles must be borne by the camp budget. There will be “Van Days” when students are allowed to use vans for much of the day or the evening. Van Days may be adjusted by program staff depending on changes in class schedules or unanticipated situations. Drivers assigned to each vehicle have the authority to make decisions concerning those individuals riding in their vans. Regardless of ridership, legal restrictions and UM policies are applicable at all times. Open intoxicants of any kind are never permitted in any UM vehicle. Detailed policy concerning driver eligibility and vehicle use can be found here.
Personal Vehicles
The use of personal vehicles during the course session is not allowed. Those who drive their own cars to Wyoming should expect to leave it parked until departing for homeStudents driving personal vehicles are prohibited from joining the Camp Davis caravans. Students driving personal vehicles or being dropped off at Camp Davis are expected to locate their own directions via their preferred method.
Health Matters
Camp Davis courses can be physically challenging and it is important that students are prepared for a rigorous field experience. You will be conducting field exercises, including considerable hiking on trails and at high elevations. The field days are often long and your performance will be limited if you cannot cover the field project areas. Students in good physical condition are able to complete the course without difficulty. Students in poor physical health or condition will have a difficult time completing the course. Daily cardiovascular exercise at least one month prior to departure is important. If you have a history of cardiac or pulmonary problems, physical, emotional, or mental disabilities please consult your physician before considering attending camp. A physicians permission may be required prior to acceptance. These courses are physically demanding and may not be right for everyone. Health Insurance and proof of immunization is required .
Altitude: Camp Davis is situated at 6100 feet elevation, and many hikes will take students to higher elevations. The reduced amount of oxygen at altitude may have adverse effects on pre-existing medical problems. Symptoms such as shortness of breath and rapid pulse may occur. Blood pressure may increase transiently and some may develop swelling in their feet and ankles.
Altitude Sickness: Altitude sickness is a syndrome that can range from mild headaches to an incapacitating illness. Although it generally only occurs when one sleeps at altitude above 8,000 feet, Camp visitors may develop symptoms. Frequent symptoms are headaches, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, lack of appetite and light-headedness. Generally, symptoms will improve with rest and fluids in 24 to 48 hours. Alcohol, tranquilizers, sleep medication, and antihistamines may make altitude sickness worse.
Dehydration: Dehydration occurs much more frequently in Wyoming than at sea level locations because of very low relative humidity and typically cloudless days. Dehydration can sap one’s energy, cause headaches and affect athletic performance. The best rule of thumb is to drink enough fluid to cause the need for urination at least every three hours. During field exercises it is recommended that students drink between two and three liters of water per day.
Sunburn: High altitude predisposes one to sunburn and snow blindness (sunburn of the eyes), because there is less atmosphere to filter out ultraviolet rays. Sun block is mandatory for those with sensitive skin and should be used by all. Wide-brimmed hats will help protect ears, exposed scalps and necks. Wearing UV filtering sunglasses protects eyes.
Contact Lenses: Contact lenses can be troublesome when doing fieldwork because of the high dust levels and low humidity. If you prefer to wear contact lenses, bring lots of lens solution and a back-up pair of glasses. The sun is very bright in the mountains so bring a good pair of sunglasses as well. It is important to wear eye protection (glasses, goggles, sunglasses, etc.) in the field to protect your eyes when breaking rocks.
Allergic Reactions: Be sure to list things such as penicillin, aspirin, dietary allergies and bee stings on your required Health History Form. Please bring any medicines or antidotes (epi-pens) that you might require. Camp Davis can be dusty, and stinging insects such as hornets and wasps are present.
Medical Treatment Facilities: Camp Davis does not have a nurse on duty. All GSIs and several staff members are trained in Basic Life Saving techniques, including basic first aid, patient stabilization and CPR. First Aid kits and supplies are available on campus and in UM vehicles. The nearest hospital or urgent care facility is located in Jackson, Wyoming, approximately 19 miles away.
Mental Health: Non-emergency mental health resources for students is available through CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), who can be reached at 734-764-8312 (M-F 8 am – 5 pm EDT).
For non-life-threatening mental health emergencies, particularly where the individual has a medical history known by Michigan Medicine, the crisis service at the Michigan Medicine Psychiatric Emergency Service can be contacted 24/7 at 734-936-5900 or 734-996-4747.
If local Jackson Hole resources are preferred, Behavioral Health Services at St. John’s Health can be contacted at 307-203-7880 (M- F, 8 am – 4 pm MDT).
In case of a mental health emergency that requires an immediate local response, you can contact Jackson Hole Community Counseling 24/7 at 307-733-2046, although they recommend calling the Teton County Sheriff at 911 in any cases of imminent life-or-death situations.
Special Accomodations: Our goal is to provide a safe, inclusive and supportive home for every student who chooses to live with us. With that goal in mind, included in this section are additional options to support residential living experiences. Students with chronic or severe medical conditions can request accommodations to meet their individual housing needs. We will engage in an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations. More information and a request form can be found on our Additional Living Accomodations page.