Camp Cooper Celebrates its 60th Anniversary with a FREE Family Event and the Unveiling of its New, Sustainable Restroom Facilities
(TUCSON, Ariz. – Oct. 3, 2024) – The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning – known as Camp Cooper to the Tucson community – will celebrate both its milestone 60th anniversary and the completion of its $2.7 million master plan phase one renovation on Nov. 16 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a FREE community event open to the public. During the celebration, the community will be treated to a host of interactive, family-friendly hands-on Sonoran Desert hikes and activities with partners including the Children’s Museum of Tucson, Ben’s Bells, Tucson Audubon Society, CHASSE Building Team, Mr. Nature and more. There will also be complimentary food and refreshments and a formal ribbon cutting with local leaders to honor the completion of the project, which is its first renovation since the mid-’60s and phase one of the Camp Cooper Master Plan.
“Thanks to the renovation, we are now the first school site in Arizona to have site-built composting toilets,” said camp director Colin Waite. “In addition, the sweeping updates, which began in February 2024, include the construction of a new building and the re-imagining of an old space into a shower house.”
According to CHASSE Building Team, the general contractor on the project, the renovation also boasts several other sustainable features, such as new solar panels, outdoor classroom space, greywater systems for shower wastewater and 23,213 gallons of rainwater harvesting to grow shade trees and other natural vegetation nearby.
“Since 1964, Camp Cooper has taken pride in connecting 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,” said camp director Colin Waite. “Our passionate team has worked diligently to design an atmosphere that aligns with our commitment to modeling sustainable practices for the communities that we serve. The upgraded facilities will allow us to offer our innovative education programs to a greater number of students while also enriching their time here at Camp Cooper.”
This renovation is made possible through the philanthropy of the Cooper Center’s many charitable foundations, local businesses, corporations and caring individuals including lead donors Peggy and Steve Goulding, Tucson Electric Power and parent company Fortis, Tucson Foundations, Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust, Marshall Foundation, Tohono O’odham Nation 12% Gaming Distribution, Southwestern Foundation for Education, Historical Preservation and support from the University of Arizona Foundation. Future phases of renovations at Camp Cooper, including upgraded sleeping cabins, an expanded indoor classroom, office space and a commercial kitchen for sustainable food service, will be completed in the next three to five years with funding through the recently passed Tucson Unified School District bond and additional contributions.
“Our new bathrooms are a reflection of our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said program coordinator Mariah Kuehl. “We are now able to better serve students and our programs, as well as provide an essential service to our visitors. This addition will transform the center, and we hope it inspires others to think creatively about sustainability in their own communities.”
About The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning
The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning is a “living classroom” in Tucson’s desert foothills, run by the UArizona College of Education in partnership with TUSD. Located on 10 acres of land in the Sonoran Desert, the Cooper Center offers innovative teaching methods and a supportive atmosphere that fosters personal growth as well as a lifelong understanding of the importance of nature. Camp Cooper’s team makes it a priority to guide people of all ages to live more lightly on Earth through the use of proactive, research-based programs in both science and Earth education. For more information, visit www.coopercenter.arizona.edu.
