BRADY TWP — Campers departed in groups of three with maps and compasses in their hands, on their way to discover the effects of habitat change in the area.

They returned at various times later — some flushed and breathless — to the pavilion overlooking a prairie full of juvenile flowers, set to bloom this month.

The 12 campers are high school students from Western Pennsylvania. The day camp at the Jennings Environmental Education Center, called the Experience Your Environment through Conservation, centered on environmental science with a focus on habitat changes.

When the last trio arrived June 23, rain showered the area, forcing Miranda Crotsley, program coordinator, to talk over it. She asked the students about their mapping activity, which allowed them to discover their own answers. They also were encouraged to ask questions.

“They really keyed in on a lot of really important questions about the changes in our forest,” Crotsley said.

The most popular questions seemed to be aimed at the possibility for the Queen Snake, a finicky species that is specific about its habitat, to live in the Big Run Creek, which meanders through the park.

The students asked questions such as whether the altered habitat from beaver dams would be to the liking of the water snake.

They also asked if the Queen Snake could coexist with the Massasagua Rattlesnake, which already lives there. While other plants, animals and insects were discussed, it was the possibility of the new water snake that dominated campers’ curiosities.

Once the campers had their questions, the park’s staff was joined by professional scientists from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to help guide the campers in their data collection and analysis.

Crotsley said one of the camp’s key features is the hands-on experience the campers get while working with professional biologists and resource managers from the conservancy.

“It’s not really much lecturing,” Crotsley said. “It gives students a real-life science experience.”

Emily Link, a senior at Freeport High School, said working with professionals helped her see herself in that role.

“It was interesting how actual scientists run surveys,” she said.

With a little help, the campers developed their own answers and theories.

As for the Queen Snake, the general consensus was that the dams provided the perfect marshy ridges to the creek for the water snake and its prey, a diet consisting of 90 percent crawfish. However, campers noted that flooding caused by the dams could be an issue for other animals.

The students also thought of ways to improve conditions for the snake without sacrificing another piece of the habitat.

Jessica Greb, a senior at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, said putting rocks in the water would improve the habitat for the snake.

“The ripples would help with the oxygen levels,” she said.

While the campers analyzed scientific tactics, the park also benefited. Crotsley said the park learned a few new things from the students analysis.

“We’re actually getting good science for the park,” she said. “We’re excited to see the data too.”

The campers had various perspectives on their experience.

Ethan Taylor, a senior at Lakeview High School, said it is important to continue to educate the public about threats to animals and the environment.

“It is very important to manage these endangered species,” he said.

For Jessica, the camp was a crash course into environmental research.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” she said. “I didn’t know how the process worked with this.”

For others such as Link, the camp was a confidence booster. She said her teacher told her about the opportunity and suggested it would be good to solidify her career planning.

“It helped with experience,” Link said. “It helped confirm that this is what I want to do.”

Crotsley said the camp last year was canceled due to lack of interest, but she hopes it continues to gain new interests. She said continuing the program will generate more interest in environmental professions, and ultimately help better understand and facilitate growth in habitats.