Why 'Give to Grow?'

The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning (Camp Cooper) connects children and learners of all ages with the Sonoran Desert through immersive, education-based, outdoor adventures. We build deep relationships with nature in a welcoming and inclusive environment, fostering a love and understanding of the natural world.

Research shows that six hours per day of outdoor learning and play are critical for children to reach their full potential. The human brain grows best when enjoying quality time outside. Spending time in nature makes people of all ages healthier, more creative, and more empathetic. 

The core of Cooper Center's mission is to provide opportunities for children and families who have limited or no access to outdoor experiences. We focus on various field trips for public school groups. More than 90% of the students we serve come from Title I schools and most receive free and reduced-cost lunches and/or other social services. 

Meet The Team

Behind every unforgettable Camp Cooper experience is a passionate team dedicated to connecting students with the Sonoran Desert through hands-on, immersive learning.

Mariah – Lead Program Coordinator

Mariah is the heart of Camp Cooper's field trip program. From coordinating with teachers to overseeing program logistics, she helps create meaningful outdoor learning experiences for thousands of students each year. Her background in education and environmental studies makes her an invaluable resource for both educators and campers.

Nasiha – Internship Outreach Specialist

Nasiha is both an environmental educator and the leader of Camp Cooper's internship program. While teaching students on field trips, she also mentors our high school and University of Arizona interns, helping them build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover a passion for environmental education.

Aliya – Program Development Specialist

Aliya brings creativity to every lesson she teaches. As an environmental educator and curriculum specialist, she leads field trips while also designing many of Camp Cooper's programs and activities. Her artistic perspective and innovative approach help students connect with nature through hands-on exploration and creative learning.

Josh – Facilities Specialist

Josh plays an important role in making Camp Cooper a welcoming and memorable place to learn. Josh manages facilities and as part of our education team, he brings his hands-on approach and love of the outdoors to every program. 

Ed – Instructional Education Specialist

Ed is Camp Cooper's gardening expert, helping students discover the importance of sustainable gardening, native plants, and food systems. His hands-on lessons encourage curiosity while fostering an appreciation for the natural world and stewardship of the environment.

Rowan – Marketing Specialist

Rowan shares Camp Cooper's story with the community through marketing, communications, fundraising campaigns, social media, newsletters, photography, and special events. From celebrating student experiences to organizing community events and connecting donors with Camp Cooper's mission, Rowan helps ensure more people discover—and support—the impact of outdoor education.

Together, our team is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, creating welcoming outdoor learning experiences, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to build a lifelong connection with nature.

Become a Friend of Camp Cooper

You are an integral part of the Cooper Center community, and we invite you to explore the various opportunities for involvement and impact. When you are a Friend of Camp Cooper, you aren't just donating; you are joining a passionate network of individuals dedicated to making a difference in the world. Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to our cause, we are thrilled to welcome you and we invite you to dive into our mission of environmental education and conservation.

Aligning with our core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community, we work to provide an inclusive space for all to learn about and care for our planet. We are constantly fostering supportive relationships throughout our community and honor and value the heritage and diverse perspectives of the students, teachers, and families we serve. We ensure that everyone receives equal opportunities at Camp Cooper and is welcomed and respected for who they are. Together, let's create a brighter future for generations to come.

Let's Make Memories

We are a "living classroom" in Tucson's desert foothills, run by the University of Arizona (UA) College of Education in partnership with Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). Each year, thousands of students visit the Cooper Center for hands-on outdoor science lessons designed to inspire an enduring love and respect for the natural world. The Cooper Center also gives every UA Pre-K-8 education major real-world practice working with young learners and serves as a setting for published research on how kids learn in and about nature. Operating since 1964 and today funded almost entirely by grassroots donors and private grants, Camp Cooper, now hosts the grandkids of its earliest students, welcoming a third generation to its 150,000 alumni around the world.

Share your Camp Cooper Memories Here: https://coopercenter.arizona.edu/celebrating-60-years

We offer half-day, full-day, overnight and multi-night educational stays for students throughout southern Arizona, with an emphasis on serving students from Title I schools. We also work directly with teachers, teacher-educators and University researchers to support interdisciplinary environmental learning and STEM education in the classroom and beyond.

For many of the children served by programs at Camp Cooper, their field trip experience is their first time in the Sonoran Desert and perhaps even their first time leaving their neighborhood. An overnight experience with their class is a memory that lasts a lifetime. Children have the opportunity to observe the night sky from beyond the city lights, sit around the campfire roasting marshmallows, sing songs and listen to stories. Help us provide these opportunities for the kids who need them the most.

If you can't donate, please consider helping us spread the word! You can share your support for Camp Cooper on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

You should also know...

• All donations are tax-deductible
• Our campus is a setting for published research on environmental learning
• We give education majors and other students at the UA opportunities to work with kids and teach in an outdoor setting, inspiring them to seek out careers in the field
• Each gift is impactful, no matter the size!

You can learn more about our work at coopercenter.arizona.edu

You can follow us on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CooperCenter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coopercenteraz/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/CooperCenter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cooper-center-tucson

Thank you! Your gift is a direct investment in Tucson's kids!

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning, an outreach program of the University of Arizona, sits on the traditional homelands of the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui, who have stewarded this land from time immemorial. Aligning with Cooper Center’s and the University’s core value of a diverse and inclusive community, it is an institutional responsibility for us to recognize, represent and acknowledge the ancestors, people, culture and history our community resides on.

Cooper Center for Environmental Learning
P.O. Box 210069 Tucson, AZ 85721
coe-coopercenter@arizona.edu
520-626-1825