Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying Summer Camp 

The 2024 Geospatial Engineering & Land Surveying Summer Camp at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) introduced geospatial engineering and land surveying to middle and high school students. From June 24-28, camp counselors worked with campers to develop spatial thinking and problem-solving skills using geospatial technologies while integrating traditional surveying methods with university equipment.   

The camp was led by TAMU-CC Geospatial Analyst Seneca Holland, Dr. Richard Smith ’03, ’06, Executive Director of the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science (CBI), and CBI Communications Specialist Brenda Davis ’05, ’16.   

Throughout the week, campers engaged in an array of activities. These included augmented reality sandbox demonstrations, pacing and chaining exercises, VR lab visits, terrestrial light detection and ranging (lidar) demonstrations, coastal surveying simulations, and a cartography-themed escape room challenge. Each activity and tool used illustrated fundamental principles of geospatial science and land surveying.   

For example, the students utilized tools like auto levels, GPS receivers, total stations, and LiDAR backpacks. An auto level is a precision instrument used in surveying to establish or verify points in the same horizontal plane to ensure accurate elevation measurements. Total stations combine electronic distance measurement and angle measurement to capture data for mapping and construction projects. Lidar backpacks use laser scanning technology to create detailed 3D models of the surrounding environment. Additionally, students learned about hydrographic surveying techniques that are used to map underwater terrains, which are crucial for coastal development, marine navigation, and flood risk management.   

“TAMU-CC's camp opened my eyes to surveying, something I am interested in pursuing,” Brayden Davis said, son of Brenda Davis and a 10th grader at Gregory-Portland High School. “At this camp, they let us learn by doing hands-on group projects, and not just listening to lectures. So, that is what I'll carry forward from this camp — valuable skills, real teamwork experience, and impactful learning."   

Camp organizers allow participants to work directly with the same equipment used by research scientists at CBI, which provides a heightened sense of real-world experience.   

Expert-led sessions and creative activities like designing geocaches and mapping on shower curtains actively engaged the students and made these complex concepts more accessible and memorable. With a comprehensive curriculum that covered basic to advanced topics, the camp ensured a thorough introduction to the field. As a result, campers will be equipped with both the knowledge and practical skills vital for future success.  

“Camps like these are crucial for prospective students because they address the urgent need to attract new talent to the field,” Brenda Davis said. “By preparing a new generation to fill the gaps left by a retiring workforce where demand is high, it ensures the continued support for maintaining accurate land records, supporting construction projects, natural resource management, and disaster response.”