University of Arizona James 4-H Camp Green … of Arizona James 4-H Camp Green Retrofit Project ......

University of Arizona James 4-H Camp Green Retrofit Project

Abstract (less than 250 words)

University of Arizona 4-H is requesting funds for the design and installation of green retrofitting

projects at the University of Arizona’s new James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center located

on Mingus Mountain near Prescott, AZ. Arizona 4-H requests $50,000 to design and install a

solar array system for several cabins; low flow toilets, waterless urinals, a solar hot water heater,

and gray water harvesting system for the bath house; and a composting toilet ,. The proposed

system will reduce the dependence on diesel-fueled generator power, re-use gray water for low-

flow toilets, and provide educational opportunities to introduce sustainable technologies for youth

and adult visitors. A $20,000 anonymous gift has already been received to help with conversion

of the well to a solar pump. The James 4-H Camp is American Camp Association (ACA)

accredited and is also the site for the Camp Corral program for children of wounded warriors

sponsored by the Golden Corral restaurant chain. With the green modifications to our facility, we

expect the camp to be viewed as a University asset that will draw sustainably-minded camp

programs, UA class trips, and local organization retreats to choose our camp for their low

environmental impact events.

Project Members, Partners and Affiliates

Dr. Kirk Astroth, Director, Arizona 4-H Youth Development

(520) 621-3390 [email protected]

Astroth is the current Assistant Dean in the College of Agriculture and Director of the

Arizona 4-H Youth Development Program. He oversees the entire 4-H program for the state and

provides leadership for the James 4-H Camp which receives funding support from the Arizona 4-

H Youth Foundation and unrestricted gifts to the U of A Foundation.

Dr. Randy Ryan, Assistant Director, Agricultural Experiment Station


Ryan works with the numerous facilities of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station in

the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, and is expert in solar conversions. His contacts with

solar companies and practical, hands-on experience in developing solar projects such as wells

and energy arrays will be of continuing importance to this project.

Dr. Ed Franklin, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Education

520-940-3718 [email protected]

Franklin works closely with students who are interested in engineering projects and has

agreed to involve his students this year to install the self-contained solar units on each of the

cabins at the 4-H Camp.

Daniel Tomlinson, Facilities Manager, UA James 4-H Camp


Tomlinson is the on-site facilities manager with experience in plumbing, electrical, and

maintenance. Dan serves as the go-to trouble-shooter and resident expert with 5 years of

experience helping maintain and improve the camp under the previous owner, Henry Dahlberg.

Dan is a superb jack-of-all-trades and keeps the camp updated and running.

Brent Strickland, Associate Agent, Yavapai County 4-H Youth Development


Strickland has been an Extension faculty member for more than 10 years, serving first in La

Paz County and most recently in Yavapai County where 25% of his responsibilities relate to

mailto:[email protected]





support of the James 4-H Camp. Brent annually conducts several camps and programs for both

youth and adults. He provides back up for Tomlinson when he is unable to be present at the

camp.

Kristin Wisneski, UA James 4-H Camp Director

(520) 626-2884) [email protected]

Wisneski serves as camp director, providing daily oversight and guidance to the

implementation of our business plan, working in concert with the facilities manager and local

Extension liaison. Wisneski brings more than 7 years of experience in conducting and managing

camps and outdoor education programs. She has a master’s degree from the University of

Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Glenda Thompson, Business Manager


Thompson has served as business manager for Cooperative Extension in the College of

Agriculture and Life Sciences for 10 years. She already handles most of the camp financials and

tracks accounts both in the UA College of Agriculture and at the University of Arizona Foundation

related to the James 4-H Camp.

Shane Doughty, Research Administrator, Program Coordinator, Senior

520-621-1921 or 520-954-0610 [email protected]

Doughty is the lead person who helps us with acquiring surplus property to support the

camp and recycle materials so that we do not have to buy new. Shane helped early on to

acquire a pickup truck for use as a utility vehicle at the camp. Most recently he has

helped locate a used diesel generator to replace our old generator (see description below

in narrative).

Partners & Affiliates

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

School of Natural Resources & the Environment

Agricultural Experiment Station

Arizona Cooperative Extension

Dahlberg Family Foundation

Yavapai County Extension

Camp Corral

Project Narrative

The Harold & Mitzie James 4-H Camp & Outdoor Learning Center is a new UA property

located atop Mingus Mountain between Prescott Valley and Jerome. Run as Mingus Springs

Camp for 40+ years, the Henry Dahlberg Family Foundation offered to sell the camp to Arizona 4-

H in 2010 for well-below its appraised value. Dahlberg wanted to ensure that the camp

maintained the conservation ethic that he had developed at the camp along with partnerships with

Arizona Fish & Game, the US Forest Service and the Wild Turkey Federation, among others. He

felt that 4-H would continue and expand the sustainable foundation he had put into place at the

Mingus Springs Camp. Since the 1970’s, it has been a goal of Arizona 4-H to have its own

statewide camp and conference center. In 2011, this dream became a reality.

The 55-acre James 4-H Camp at Mingus Springs is located near the summit of Mingus

Mountain approximately 7 miles off State Highway 89A between Prescott and Cottonwood,

Arizona at an elevation of about 6,500 ft. A variety of on-going natural resources research

projects sponsored by the Dahlberg Foundation and other donors are continuing in an effort to

support conservation and resource management. There are miles of hiking trails, meadows and




forests, extensive riparian areas and a two-acre pond. More traditional recreational facilities

include softball, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, fishing, swimming, Frisbee golf, orienteering

and a challenge course. The camp is located within the Prescott National Forest (928-443-8000)

and the Verde Ranger District (928-567-4121).

Arizona 4-H annually touches the lives of more than 184,000 young people all over the

state—about 4 times the student body at the main campus of the University,. Not surprisingly,

then, we say that Arizona 4-H is “your first class from the University of Arizona.” This year,

Arizona 4-H celebrates 100 years of connecting young people with science, technology and

engineering projects in more than 100 project offerings. The James 4-H Camp has the unique

opportunity to engage a wide variety of audiences, bringing together those from limited income,

underserved families as well as those with access to a variety of services; youth living in both

urban and rural areas; and those who participate in other aspects of 4-H in a club or school

enrichment activity.

The James 4-H Camp and Outdoor Learning Center is also a university-wide resource

that is available to all student, faculty and staff groups for retreats, leadership training, group

building and environmental education. Last year, during our first season of operation, the James

4-H Camp hosted more than 500 4-H youth and adults at a variety of camps. Extension faculty

have also used the camp for professional development retreats. We are actively promoting the

camp to campus groups and encourage them to use the facility. UA groups get a special

discounted rate lower than the public rate. With its rich history and focus on camping and

program collaboration, the James 4-H Camp is an ideal location for groups to meet, host

workshops, learn about and experience the natural world as well as participate in the essence of

leadership and research.

Since acquiring the James 4-H Camp in 2011, we have been actively working to create a

more sustainable and “green” camp and outdoor learning center. One of the first steps was to

institute a recycling program for trash in cooperation with Waste Management. As a result, we

have already begun to reduce waste generation at the camp.

Another goal is to eventually make the James 4-H Camp a model demonstration of

sustainability be converting our power needs from diesel and propane. After all, shouldn’t camps

and outdoor learning centers serve as models of sustainability and environmental compatibility?

Currently, the camp is off-grid and powered by a 24KW diesel generator with two older back-up

units in case the main unit fails. These units are located in the camp’s power house

approximately 500 yards from the main camp. Diesel fuel is delivered as needed from Prescott,

Arizona. Several concerns including the age and remaining life of the main generator, cost and

carbon-footprint of use and delivery of diesel fuel, generator noise, and unreliability of the power

source have spurred our efforts for solar conversion—along with the fact that it is the right thing to

do in Arizona. The well pump, cabins, rec hall, dining hall, kitchen, nurses cabin, cook’s cabin and

bath house are all illuminated by the power from this diesel generator. In addition, propane

provides fuel for the ovens in the kitchen and a few wall heaters located in various cabins.

In 2012, we were successful in soliciting an anonymous donation for converting the well

to solar energy. This generous $20,000 contribution recognized our goal of improving our energy

efficiency. We had hoped to begin the conversion of the well to a solar pump this fall but a major

flood event on August 21st destroyed our access road and prevented any other major construction

work until the road could be repaired—which it was in November 2012.

In addition, we have applied for an NCCC work team (National Community Conservation

Crew) through AmeriCorps to help with other improvements at the camp. This work crew is just

another example of how we hope to make the UA’s James 4-H Camp a model camp facility that

draws on an array of community resources.

This coming year, a major goal is to improve the camp’s energy efficiency and reduce

waste to implementing five specific projects: (1) solar conversion of the 12 cabins, Rec Center

and Dining Hall; (2) water harvesting from the bath house; (3) installation of low-flow toilets and

waterless urinals; (4) installation of a composting toilet near the large bunkhouse on the north end

of camp, and (5) solar hot water heater for bath house. Each of these projects is described

separately below.

Solar Conversion of Cabins, Rec Center & Dining Hall

At present, the camp has 12 cabins with a total of about 100 beds. Cabins currently have

incandescent bulbs for lighting which are only one during times when the generator is in operation

(on at 6:00 AM and off at 10:00 PM). Lighting in the cabins is minimal but necessary. If funded,

this project will help provide funds to acquire panels, batteries and inverters for self-contained

units using LED lights that are specially designed not to attract insects at night. Each of the

cabins needs 5 lights, the Rec Center needs 10 lights and the Dining Hall also requires 10

lights—a total of 80 LED lights. Lights will be motion-sensitive activated for further energy

savings.

Dr. Ed Franklin’s AgEd class on campus has agreed to install these self-contained units

as they have already done with other solar projects.

Water Harvesting from Bath House

Currently, the water from the bath house simply drains into the existing septic system and

drain field which also serves as the ball field. Under our proposal, we will capture gray water from

the showers and roof, store it in a tank, and with the assistance of a small pressurizing pump re-

use the water for the toilets. We plan to install a small chlorinator to ensure that no one mistakes

this water as potable.

Low Flow Toilets and Waterless Urinals

The current toilets at the camp are old-style 1.5 gal/flush toilets that are so inefficient that

guest are instructed to flush twice—further wasting perfectly good, clean water that could be used

for drinking or washing purposes. Our proposal seeks funds to purchase 11 low-flow toilets and 2

waterless urinals to be installed at the bath house, in the cook’s cabin and the nurse’s cabin.

We plan to have the NCCC work team install low-flow toilets and waterless urinals this

spring at the camp, further improving our efficiency and reducing fresh water usage at the camp.

Composting Toilet

The fourth component of our proposal is to purchase and install a modern, two-hole

composting toilet to be located at the site presently occupied by a traditional portable toilet near

the large bunk on the north part of the camp. At night, it can be a long walk down to the bath

house from this building, so the previous owner installed a portable toilet near the building. We

want to replace this with a composting toilet and use the solar LED-powered lights to provide

motion-sensitive lighting at night for those who need to use the facilities. This composting toilet

will be used as an educational resource at the camp to help camp users understand how

technology can improve our lives, reduce waste (literally) and still maintain a clean environment.

Educational signs will help educate camp users.

Solar Hot Water Heater

The bath house currently uses a propane-fueled hot water heater. We propose to

convert this unit to an on-demand solar heater using the latest in technology. We will be able to

document how much has been saved in propane use bases on previous years’ worth of records.

Involvement of/Benefits to UA Students

The James 4-H Camp is a campus-wide resource that can be used inexpensively

($20/person/night) as a retreat center, for leadership development and training, and for recreation. We

are actively involving Dr. Franklin’s Ag Ed students to help with installation of self-contained solar units for

the cabins. We have actively marketed the camp to the Ag Ambassador’s group and to all department

heads in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. We have been working with our communications

staff to develop a story for Lo Que Pasa as well as UA News, describing the camp as a resource for the

entire campus community.

The camp also offers UA student, faculty, and staff a diversity of research opportunities. Over the

past year, a NAU-affiliated researcher has explored a population of sedges on the camp property and

concluded that it may be a new species. The beautiful and rich mountain environment could also host

research on ecology, forestry, wildlife, soils, geology, and more. We would make available data collected

from our green projects for UA environmental sciences, physics, optics and business students to do

research and look into the opportunities for solar in northern Arizona and in remote locations.

Our camp programming for youth already emphasizes natural resources and responsible care of

our environment. Many camp programs utilize University and Extension faculty and staff to share their up-

to-date and expert-based knowledge through lessons and activities at the James 4-H Camp. It is our

University connection that allows the James 4-H Camp to stand out ahead of other, more traditional camp

programs. Our green project focused curriculum would address the importance of science, technology,

engineering and math (STEM) for Arizona youth and provide a foundation for continued inquiry that could

help guide them to similar majors at the University of Arizona.

We agree to work closely with the Green Fund Committee Marketing Team on marketing and

communications opportunities related to this project.

Project Timeline (project start, completion dates, order tasks, and milestones and estimate how long

each task will require for completion)

Because funding is not authorized until July 1, 2013, we have divided this project into two

phases—one for summer and one for spring 2014. The camp often becomes inaccessible from

November 1-through March 30 each year depending on snow fall and rain. See timeline calendar in

Appendix A.

Phase 1—Laying the Foundation

April-June: Planning & design phase. Solar well pump installation (private donation already secured)

NCCC Work Team on site from April 1-May 15th. Preparing the sites, repairing roofs, removing old and

installing new toilets.

April 15th, 2013 - Camp opens for public use

April - Final measurements, ordering materials.

July 1, 2013 - Project start. Structure building and panel installation.

o Installation of composting toilet

o Cabin solar panels mounted, installed and system connected. LED lights installed

o Construction of gray water harvesting system on bath house

November 1 – Phase 1 Project completion

Phase 2—Completing the Task

April 2014: Solar Water Heater installation

April 15th, 2014 – Camp opens for public use

May – Prep for camp season. Generate baseline economic and sustainability report using available data

from camp records and initial data for green project monitoring. Finalize educational materials and green

project signage and install at project sites.

June – Use sustainability projects as a resource for education with 2014 campers and visitors. Involve

youth and UA students with data monitoring and analysis. Distribute marketing materials to community

advertising a ‘sustainable camp experience’ at the James 4-H Camp.

Metrics

Impacts

Through support of this project, the UA Green Fund will be able to demonstrate

significant savings in energy costs and improved environmental sustainability by gradually

eliminating fossil fuel generated energy for lights, water and heat. The James 4-H Camp can

become a model camp facility and can serve as a demonstration project for other camps

wishing to reduce their carbon footprint.

Last year, for example, we spent over $5000 in fossil fuels to support camp groups. We

want to develop signs educating camp users about the savings each year based on the

conversions we have outlined above. Through this project, we will extend the UA’s

sustainability efforts into other parts of the state, benefitting youth, and serving as a

showcase to other camp facilities that want to “walk the talk” of environmental compatibility.

In addition, we envision the following impacts:

o 800 youth introduced to solar conversion learning site at James 4-H Camp starting in

2014

o 10kW of electricity produced from installed panels. (We have long range plans to put

a large solar array atop the current tennis court and use this to power the kitchen and

other large power users at the camp. The slant design will also tie into our water

harvesting plans for toilet use. This is a long range plan still in development because

of the substantial cost.)

o Decreased noise and emissions in wilderness area

o Decreased overhead costs for camp due to maintenance, upkeep, and fuel delivery

for generators (current power source)

o Creating a more sustainable and dependable power source for the camp season

(April - October)

o Continue efforts to make a more sustainable and self-sufficient camp facility to

increase enjoyment and safety of campers

Because our main diesel generator had reached 100,000 hours of use, we were told

by UA Facilities Management that we needed to replace it. Knowing that we want to

move toward solar energy, we were hesitant to purchase a new generator if it might only

be retired in the near future. But we also do not know if our proposal to the UA Green

Fund will be approved. Thankfully, because of our affiliation with the University of

Arizona, Shane Doughty, Research Administrator, in the College of Agriculture & Life

Sciences found us a generator through Federal surplus. This unit is free to us through

this program, except for the cost of shipping. But the better news is this which came with

acquisition information: “Reusing this generator instead of buying new is like saving the

carbon equivalent of 2,582.11 gallons of gasoline used.” Reuse is recycling.

Further, by saving monies for the future by going solar, we can utilize limited monetary

resources to provide a better educational experience for 4-H young people who come to

the camp to re-connect with the outdoors and experience nature—perhaps for the first

time.

Achieving Those Impacts

We will achieve these impacts by converting over to solar energy, re-using gray water,

and installing highly-efficient LED lights. We also propose to install a remote monitoring

system to illustrate energy savings, reduced carbon use and gallons saved or re-used.

Measuring & Reporting on Impacts

As stated above, we propose to purchase a remote monitoring system to track energy

savings, water savings and re-purposed water. We have ample records from the camp’s

previous history and it will be relatively simple to develop graphs and reports indicating

energy and water saved. Measuring our propane or diesel requirements will be simple.

Water use is a little harder to calculate, but we will be able to compare staff time spent in

pumping water and storage tank capacities from this year to last year. Our plan also

envisions developing pamphlets and brochures outlining the enhancements provided by the

UA Green Fund and how they have helped make the James 4-H Camp more sustainable and

environmentally sound.

University of Arizona James 4-H Camp Green … of Arizona James 4-H Camp Green Retrofit Project ......

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