Applications are now being accepted for the second season of the AAPG Foundation Field Camp Scholarship program, a remarkably successful initiative that quickly has proven popular with students and donors alike.
Scholarship applications will be accepted by the AAPG Foundation through February 1.
Those selected receive $3,000 in Foundation aid to attend geology field camps – a cost that has risen dramatically for students over the past several years.
In addition to the $3,000 financial aid, the students receive:
- A professional-grade backpack and waterproof field notebook
- A complete field work supply kit – including maps and an Estwing rock hammer
- GeoLite Transit compass, manufactured by Brunton Inc.
- Shirts and hats – all identifying recipients as an “AAPG Foundation Field Camp Scholar”
Recipients also are immediately reminded that “this award recognizes your passion, dedication and potential as a future geoscientist” – in other words, for participants and donors, it is an investment in the future. 
Mason Davenport at Van Hise Rock in Wisconsin
In its recently completed inaugural year, the Foundation provided scholarships totaling $90,000 to 30 geoscience students – representing 20 states, from Maine to Alaska.
The AAPG Foundation Field Camp Scholarship program was created as a replacement for the Foundation’s nearly 30-year-old L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant program.
While thousands of students benefited from the LAW grants, today’s educational needs and costs outgrew the fund’s original guidelines – which, in turn, inspired the Trustees to seek an updated tactic to help geoscience students.
“We were looking for a way to make a more effective use of our gifts – an approach that would help provide practical, tangible results in our efforts to help students prepare for their careers in energy,” said Foundation chair Jim McGhay.
The Foundation also wanted to continue the intentions and spirit of L. Austin Weeks, the son of legendary geologist Lewis Weeks, who, along with his wife, the late Marta Weeks-Wulf, were enthusiastic and generous supporters of the AAPG Foundation and geoscience education.
McGhay previously noted that field camps are “good for the students, and good for the many industries that rely on mapping and visualization of diverse data … and that’s important for the future of us all.”
Scholarship recipients are chosen from a competitive pool of applicants that are reviewed by AAPG members, led by committee chair Kim Parsons, Lakewood, Colo.
Included in the initial review committee was Foundation Trustee (and treasurer) Valary Schulz, of Dallas, along with Trustee Associates Dan Billman (Houston, Pa.), Dave Rensink (Houston; Member of the Corporation), Dexter Harmon (Georgetown, Texas), Don Lewis (Lafayette, Calif.; MoC), Rebecca Dodge (Wichita Falls, Texas), Trem Smith (Dallas) and Bill Morgan (Houston; MoC).
They were joined by members Ashton Bruyere (Midland, Texas), Henry Legarre (Stockton, Calif.), Kate La Fleur (Midland, Texas), Bob Corwin (Austin, Texas) and Victor Ogunmola (Houston).
For students who want to apply for a 2026 AAPG Foundation Field Camp scholarship – and for more information on the program – visit foundation.aapg.org.
And for donors who would like to join this investment in the future of geosciences, you can also visit foundation.aapg.org, or contact Heather Hodges, at [email protected].