1985 - 2019

DSLCC Logo

Mountain Gateway Community College
Clifton Forge, Virginia


Updates

The Field Ecology Summer Regional Governor's School was upended by COVID-19. Thirty-five years was a good run.
You can read the official history from the 2020 Administrative Procedures Manual (written before COVID intervened) here.

A Virginia Summer Regional Governor's School still exists at Mountain Gateway Community College (formerly Dabney S. Lancaster Community College), but the topic and format now vary year-to-year. The name was changed to Mountain Valley Summer Regional Governor's School in 2021 to reflect the changes.

This website archives 35 years of Field Ecology. Since the sponsoring organization was known as Dabney S. Lancaster Community College during that time, the DSLCC Logo has been maintained on the archived pages, but the links have been updated to MGCC.

The Participants' Info Page still contains useful information about the program.

A few other documents that might be of interest (e.g. course descriptions, salamander data) can be found on the Documents page.

Links to photo archives:
"Vintage" photos from 1985 through 1999.
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

No further updates are anticipated, and external links will inevitably rot.

Questions or comments? Contact Susan Wells Rollinson, Keeper of the Memories


Learn science by actually doing science.

The Field Ecology Summer Regional Governor's School is designed to inspire in you, the academically gifted student, a respect for the bountiful natural environment that is your heritage-a heritage that might soon be lost if each generation is not taught to preserve and cherish it. We aim to awaken an awareness and interest in native plant and animal life as a rich and varied natural resource. We will emphasize the interrelationships between organisms and their natural environments and on the role and impact of humans on these ecosystems.

"In school they give you a book expecting you to learn from it. In Governor's School you actually apply your knowledge so that you see why your knowledge is useful." --Participant

"Definitely not your typical classroom and textbook SOL Course!" --Participant

"This 'school' isn't really school at all." --Participant

Tree Measure

Welcome to the unpaved world!

"I learned that there is more to life than cell phones, TV, electronics. This program has opened my eyes to a whole new world." --Participant

 

See what we did in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

"Vintage" photos from 1985 through 1999.
Camping in the Laurel Fork area of Highland County, Virginia.

 

Typical "Itinerary" for your Journey into Field Ecology of Virginia

Measuring dbh

 

1st Session - Salamander Study

Introduction to program and campus
Salamander study: data collection & analysis
Three-day camping trip
Creation & presentation of digital wildflower herbarium

 

2nd Session - Forestry

Introduction to program and campus
Forestry methods: data collection & analysis
Three-day camping trip
Creation & presentation of digital woody plant herbarium

 

Transportation to and from the DSLCC campus and all meals are the responsibility of each student's family.


Measuring the diameter of a tree.

Students are current 8th, 9th, and 10th Grade students living in the school attendance zones listed below. You have one thing in common: a desire to explore academic and/or field studies at a level not always possible in your home schools.

Camp

 

"You aren't sitting in a classroom all day reading about science, you are out doing it--out exploring." --Participant

 

"Best summer I ever had" --Participant


Field trip to Douthat State Park, Bath County, Virginia.

Instructors for the Center are college and high school teachers who have experience with both the subject matter and the education of gifted students. Guest lecturers also present a variety of topics.

The program enhances your critical thinking skills and your understanding of how science works.

"Provides more than high school can--more challenging and in-depth." --Parent

Roaring Run Falls

 

In addition to challenging your intellectual skills, we feel the program should be equally demanding of your physical capacities in order that you might have a complete sense of accomplishment at the program's end.

 

"... the most mentally and physically challenging experience of my life.... wonderful, exciting, and fantastic!" --Participant

"I did things I never thought I'd do." --Student


Enjoying the vernal pool at Douthat State Park, Bath County, Virginia.

 

Participating School Divisions (2019)

Alleghany County* Clifton Middle School
Alleghany High School
Bath County Bath County High School
Botetourt County Central Academy Middle School
Read Mountain Middle School
James River High School
Lord Botetourt High School
Buena Vista Parry McCluer Middle School
Parry McCluer High School
Covington* Covington High School
Highland County Highland High School
 Lexington  Lylburn Downing Middle School
Rockbridge County Maury River Middle School
Rockbridge County High School
  * Alleghany County and Covington merged into the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools on July 1, 2022.

 

How to Apply

This section no long applies.

Application Timetable

Mid March Pick up application.
Late March / Early April Return completed application to your guidance office.
Mid April Participants and alternates selected by their schools.
Late April Participants notified of acceptance into the program.
Late May Orientation session for participants and their parents.
Mid June Governor's School begins.

Red Eft

"I want to come back. I wish it was all summer." --Student


Updated 2/20/23