Rock and Role: A BIPOC Geology Camp Retreat in Ellensburg
Unearth the Stories Beneath Your Feet.
August 21-23, 2026 | Ellensburg, WA
You constantly view miraculous scenery. Washington State is drop-dead beautiful. And if you’re like us, you look at our area’s massive cliffs and towering mountains and wonder, “Whoa, how did that happen?” If you wish you knew the stories behind the miraculous, we have a solution! Rock and Role: A BIPOC Geology Camp Retreat in Ellensburg!
You’re walking right past stories of massive lava flows, mega floods, and volcanic explosions that shaped the ground you stand on. It’s time to get more of the story.
It’s time to get away from the textbook. If you think geology is boring books and dusty classrooms, we’re about to change your life. We invite you to dig in the dirt, reach into the water, rub spit on a rock, and watch the colors pop. Whether you’re 7 or 70, this is your invitation to get messy and get curious with the whole family!
🌿 The Transformation: Become an Earth Detective
Rock and Role is an intergenerational celebration of our connection to land and water. For one incredible weekend, you won’t just be a tourist; you’ll be an Earth Detective.
From the unfathomable bigness of Mount Tahoma to a pebble on the beach, every piece of the Earth has a secret to tell. And it’ll blow your mind how far those pieces have traveled just to get to you.
Warning: You’ll be having so much fun (“immersed in WOW”), you won’t even realize you’re mastering critical thinking, connecting with deep history, and seeing yourself as a true relative of the land.
✊🏾 Why This Matters
We’re writing ourselves into the story. Historically, geoscience hasn’t always welcomed people of color. That era is over. We created Rock and Role not just to connect and introduce you to geology, but to prove that science belongs to us, too.
This is the only POC-centering geology camp in the United States. We’re partnering with the most engaging voices in the field – including one of the few women of color geology doctorates in the nation – to create a space where expertise and culture collide. We aren’t just visiting the landscape; we’re learning to read it.
🔥 The Experience: Chill, Learn, Connect
Forget stiff academic gatherings. This is a joyful retreat. You’ll spend the weekend at Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center in mesmerizing Manastash Canyon. We handle the details so you can handle the discovery.
- Chop It Up With Down-To-Earth Guides: Hang out with PBS host Nick Zentner and Dr. Hannah Shamloo. Riff on geology theories, think in timelines of millions of years, and ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
- Field Trips: Go on guided explorations of Central Washington’s incredible landscape. Nick always has surprises for us!
- Nourishment: We provide 5 delicious meals (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast).
- Comfort: Stay in the Trading Post, a cozy dorm-style lodge (bunkbeds, full kitchen, bathrooms), or pitch a tent on the grass if you prefer the open air.
- Community: Fireside chats, new friends, and a safe space where you can be your full and authentic self.
SIGN ME UP!
👥 Meet our Geology Experts
Dr. Hannah Shamloo (Assistant Professor of Geology, CWU). Hannah is a force of nature. Her jam is studying the chemistry of erupted material from volcanoes to reconstruct the timing of explosive events. She’s passionate about how volcanoes change the landscape and how magmas fuel volcanoes. She’s here to show you exactly how powerful you are.
Nick Zentner (Lecturer in Geology, CWU & host of PBS’s “Nick on the Rocks“). Nick’s an Earth Detective. With 30+ years of teaching, he uses rocks as clues to solve the mysteries of how our ground is continuously changing. He brings high-key excitement and a contagious love for the natural world.
⚠️ Safety and Enjoyment
Come as you are. There’s no minimum or maximum age or fitness requirement, and you don’t need to be an athlete.
Our Guidance: To get the most out of this experience, everyone needs to be able to walk unassisted on moderate hiking trails with loose soil and maintain stable footing. We also ask that children be ready to contribute positively to the group dynamic (curiosity is a must!).
🗓️ Event Details
Dates: August 21-23, 2026
Check-In: Friday @ 4:00 PM | Check-Out: Sunday @ 11:00 AM
Location: Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center (Ellensburg, WA)
Capacity: Strictly limited to 40 people.
🎟️ Secure Your Spot
Choose the tier that fits your life.
PAY IN FULL
$485 per person (Supports the event at full cost)
$250 per person (Subsidized rate made possible by donors)
PAYMENT PLAN
A $50 Deposit locks in your spot. Pay the rest over time (Full balance due July 21).
GROUP DISCOUNT
Bringing your favorite people? Save 20% when you register 5+ people together. Email us for the discount code!
🦋 FAMILY SPONSORSHIP (Enter to Win!) We’re thrilled to provide sponsorship for 2 families (up to 5 people each) to attend at NO COST. Drawing Deadline: May 20
YES! I’m Ready to Rock!
⛰️ The Earth Is Calling
All you have to do is show up and dig in. Join us for a weekend of discovery, connection, and Black and brown joy.
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING:
“An event about natural science that supports our BIPOC opportunities while you support the community you are apart of.” – J. Moorman
“It was a place where black and brown people could go and safely nerd out about geology and volcanoes, and also talk about daily challenges.” – K. Meredith
“Access to nature is healing. Being in community is critical to our well-being. Denice Rochelle and Nick Zentner have joined forces to co-create a culture of love for our environment and community. My kids (10 and 12) LOVED learning about rocks and this opportunity planted seeds of curiosity and confidence to pursue more environmental learning.” – M. Koller
“Imagine learning some geology by the best geology teachers in the nation, and then have a chance to ask questions around a campfire or at breakfast. It’s hard to beat.” – H. Brameus
If you can’t participate, but still want to support us, you can always donate to The Bronze Chapter.