BASE Summer Camp

BASE Camp students work hands on in the lab.

Our Goal

BASE Camp is designed to engage high school students in hands-on, research-based experiences in the natural sciences and mathematics meant to inform and excite students about the process of science.

Students in the BASE Camp program will gain:

Hands-on work with faculty members and undergraduate students on real scientific research projects
Fun living and learning experience in a Fairfield University residence hall
Opportunities to explore healthcare and science careers
Tailored college admissions counseling
Final poster presentation/celebration with family, friends, and our University community
Web-based resources for students exploring scientific careers
Certificate of Participation

Who should apply?

BASE Camp is open to students completing their sophomore or junior year of high school from underrepresented groups in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be in good academic standing, and have an interest in science. Space is limited to 24 students. Priority may be given to Bridgeport area applicants.

The two-week overnight camp is free of charge to accepted students. All meals and lodging on campus are included.

Funding for this program is generously provided by the Cascella Family, UI an Avangrid Company, the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation (BI Cares), and Alumni and Friends of Fairfield University.

Where you’ll live

High school students participating in Fairfield University’s BASE Camp program will live in double rooms, share a common bathroom, and have access to lounges on every floor. Live-in staff, resident assistants, and the Office of Public Safety will provide twenty-four-hour support.

What amenities you’ll have

Students can also take advantage of the many amenities offered on Fairfield University's beautiful 200-acre campus, which include a state-of-the-art library, high-tech computer and science labs, and the campus dining hall and Stag Snack Bar which offer a wide variety of menu items.

What you’ll do

Office of Residence Life will also schedule a variety of entertaining events for students to enjoy, including but not limited to:

Karaoke socials
Movie nights
Video game contests
Board game nights
Tie-dye nights

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no commuter option for BASE Camp.

Yes. In fact BASE Camp students are required to go home to their families on Friday, July 15 and to return to campus on Sunday, July 17.

Resident assistants are college-aged students who will live with high school students during the duration of their program. They will host social programs for the residential students on a nightly basis. Resident assistants are available 24 hours a day if a question or concern arises.

Students will eat most meals in the Barone Campus Center main dining room. Some meals will be served within their residential hall or at an off-campus location.

Students enrolled in our high school residence programs have access to the entire Fairfield campus during their program. This includes but is not limited to the University athletic fields, library, dining facility, and snack bar.

Yes. The Department of Public Safety is staffed with 27 full-time members who patrol campus on bike, foot, and vehicle 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Please view last year's schedule. Closer to arrival, participants will receive a finalized schedule.

Residential students are not permitted to bring cars to campus. Fairfield University will provide transportation for off-campus activities.

Application Process

Application requirements include:

An official transcript: A record of grades from your high school guidance counselor.
A list of classes scheduled for next year: Please indicate which science and math courses you will take in the new academic school year.
Two letters of recommendation: One from a science teacher, the second from another teacher or a guidance counselor.
**To the teacher/guidance counselor: In a separate letter, please comment on this student’s eligibility for this program, including interest and aptitude in science, level of maturity, responsibility, and attitude.
Essay: A 200-word essay about why you are interested in participating in BASE Camp.

Acceptances will be notified by mail.

If you have questions about the application process or BASE Camp, please contact Dr. Anita Fernandez at afernandez@fairfield.edu.

Investigating the Effects of Exercise on the Human Body

Students generated hypotheses on the relationships among exercise, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing rate and designed an experiment to quantify these relationships in their fellow campers.
Exploring Forensic Scientific Methods

In this project, students explored scientific techniques used for the analysis of common types of physical evidence encountered at crime scenes such as plastics, fabrics, oils, powders, arson accelerants, fingerprints, and/or blood.
The Search for Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria in the Marine Environment

BASE Camp students participated in original research in antibiotic discovery by cultivating bacteria from soil and screening for antibiotic activity.
Characterizing Substrate and Enzyme Interactions

Students discovered the importance of individual amino acids in the substrate proteins that affect substrate binding, specificity, and proteolysis.
Sustainable Energy in Bridgeport, CT

Students were introduced to the myriad energy sources used to generate electricity in Bridgeport, CT, and on Fairfield University's campus.
Microplastic Contamination in Penguins

Students investigated the possibility that penguins in the Mystic Aquarium are being exposed to little bits of plastic – called microplastics – as part of their diet.

Shannon Gerry

Department Chair and Professor, Biology

sgerry@fairfield.edu

Amanda S. Harper-Leatherman

Associate Director, Honors Program | Professor, Chemistry

aharper@fairfield.edu

Olivia Harriott

Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences | Associate Professor, Biology

oharriott@fairfield.edu

Jillian Smith-Carpenter

Associate Professor, Chemistry

jsmith-carpenter@fairfield.edu

L. Kraig Steffen

Associate Professor, Chemistry

lsteffen@fairfield.edu

Brian Walker

Professor, Biology

bwalker@fairfield.edu

BASE Camp Resources

College Admission

Accordion 1 Expanded Copy:

Applying to college can be a tricky task. As part of the BASE Camp agenda, students attend college admission sessions tailored to pursuing careers in the STEM and healthcare fields. Below are some helpful resources.

Hit the Road! – Preparing for your College Visit (Pre-College Workshop)
Health Professions Handbook for Fairfield University – Designed for students interested in a career in one of the health professions, it answers questions about the pre-professional years. (Specific to Fairfield University, but widely applicable to many schools).
Fairfield University Admission & Aid

Below is the contact information of the health and science professionals who came to speak to BASE Campers along with scientific career web resources.

Explore Health Career

Aspiring Doctors (For undergraduate students who want to attend medical school)

Health Careers in Connecticut

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society

BASE Summer Camp

B.A.S.E. Camp

Our Goal

Who should apply?

Summer High School Student Residence and Student Life

Where you’ll live

What amenities you’ll have

What you’ll do

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

Investigating the Effects of Exercise on the Human Body

Exploring Forensic Scientific Methods

The Search for Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria in the Marine Environment

Characterizing Substrate and Enzyme Interactions

Sustainable Energy in Bridgeport, CT

Microplastic Contamination in Penguins

Meet the Faculty

Program Director

Faculty

BASE Camp Resources

Get In Touch

Follow Us On Social

BASE Summer Camp

B.A.S.E. Camp

Our Goal

Who should apply?

Summer High School Student Residence and Student Life

Where you’ll live

What amenities you’ll have

What you’ll do

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there other options beyond the residence programs for high school students?

Can my child come home over the weekend?

Who is available to help my child outside of the daily activities?

Where will my child eat?

Are there campus amenities that my child can enjoy while on campus?

Is there security on campus?

What is a typical day like?

Can students bring their cars?

Application Process

Investigating the Effects of Exercise on the Human Body

Exploring Forensic Scientific Methods

The Search for Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria in the Marine Environment

Characterizing Substrate and Enzyme Interactions

Sustainable Energy in Bridgeport, CT

Microplastic Contamination in Penguins

Meet the Faculty

Program Director

Faculty

BASE Camp Resources

College Admission

Science Careers

Get In Touch

Follow Us On Social