U-M Summer Camps: Nature's Secrets Probed At Huge Cheboygan Camp

University’s Cabin Cruiser

Its shallow draft permitting it to come close in to shore, the University of Michigan Biological Station’s cabin cruiser awaits a group of students to be transported across Douglas Lake near Cheboygan to study some phase of biology. This is the only boat of its kind the University owns.

U-M Summer Camps:

Nature’s Secrets Probed At Huge Cheboygan Camp

(Editor’s Note: An important but little known enterprise of the University of Michigan is the operation of six summer camps throughout the state. This is the second in a series of articles describing these camps.)

By Tom Dickinson

CHEBOYGAN — The University of Michigan’s Biological Station on Douglas Lake near here is actually gigantic, sprawling outdoor laboratory for plant and animal study.

Nearly 9,000 acres of land, 141 buildings and a wealth of botanical and zoological specimens are fused in the station — this year in its 44th season.

Since its inception in 1909 with a handful of students, the Biological Station has grown steadily to the point where it now comprises a compact and well-organized community of students and scholars.

This provides an ideal atmosphere for teaching and research, explains Dr. Alfred H. Stockard, station director and associate professor of zoology.

Location Lauded

“The station is situated in the transition zone between coniferous forests to the north and deciduous forests to the south, and is surrounded by vegetation characteristic of both regions,” says Dr. Stockard.

Such soil types as swamps, bogs, lowlands, rich uplands, sandy uplands, and dunes, supporting both virgin and second-growth stands of vegetation are in evidence.

Some 1,000 species of flowering plants, 250 species of mosses and a wide variety of other plant types have been recorded in the area. The region further supports 52 species of mammals, 16 of reptiles, 16 of amphibians and 75 of fishes.

“The diversified topography, soil and vegetation of the region offer an unusual opportunity for research and for illustrating various ecological concepts,” Dr. Stockard points out.

Well Suited For Ecology

Ecology, the relationship of plants and animals to each other and their environments, is particularly suited to study at the coeducational Biological Station.

"In the last 25 years biologists have come to the realization that biology is a system of producing organic substance from the earth's elements through energy from the sun," the station director notes.

"We know, of course, that all of man's food, almost all of his clothes and shelter, and most all other commodities he uses are organic in composition and therefore biological in origin," he explains.

The ultimate dual objective of biological research, Dr. Stockard says, "must be to increase the production of that which man needs most from the biological system, namely, food for life, and amelioration of conflict with his enemies.”

90 Students Enrolled

Perhaps one of the most spectacular research triumphs recorded at the Biological Station was the study of the parasite which causes swimmers’ itch. But literally hundreds of other research projects have been carried on to successful completion — often over a period of several years.

Dr. Stockard firmly believes that the station represents a great resource for future study and research. Its present value, he estimates, is approximately $1,500,000.

This summer about 90 students and 10 research “investigators” are enrolled at the station, coming from many parts of the country.

Included on the administrative staff are 13 academic instructors, a physician, Dr. William M. Brace of the University Health Service at Ann Arbor, a librarian and a dean of women.

Most of the staff members are veterans of many years of service. Dr. Stockard, in his 23rd year, ranks only third in seniority. Staff turnover is accordingly very low.

Field Trips Important

Classes are held from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. and from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m., although some field trips may require more time.

The camp — located about 14 miles southwest of Cheboygan and 25 miles northeast of Petoskey—is equipped with 16 laboratories where everything from tiny insects to large animals are examined, dissected and studied.

Some classes spend as much as four-fifths of their time in the field, and all rely heavily on trips to various parts of the area to correlate their theory and “textbook knowledge” with actual conditions in nature.

Dr. Stockard is quick to point out that the Biological Station represents a small campus, complete with common eating and recreational facilities as well as communal social programs.

In fact, he refers to the camp membership as one large “family” — all with the common purpose of searching for the answers to Secrets of nature, answers which hold the key to life itself.