Oregon Institute of Technology welcomed high school students from across Oregon and beyond to its 2025 Geomatics Summer Camp, held August 4–7 on the Klamath Falls campus. Sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the free, four-day program introduced students to the exciting world of surveying, drones, mapping, and geographic information systems (GIS).
Students from Henley High School, Klamath Union High School, South Medford High School, North Clackamas Christian School, Sage Oak Charter School, Preston High School, and Penn Foster High School participated in a wide range of activities. These included creating mental maps, collecting and analyzing GPS data in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, and building and flying drones.
The camp also featured guest lectures by Rhonda Dodge, PLS, Senior Remote Sensing Surveyor at Oregon DOT; Maj. Joe Young, Commander of the 173rd Civil Engineer Squadron; and Deputy County Surveyor Jonathan Redd, PLS, who shared professional insights on careers in surveying and the expanding role of geospatial science in transportation, defense, and community infrastructure.
The program was led by Su Jin Lee, PhD, Assistant Professor and Camp Team Leader, with instructors Ethan Howard, Brian Novick, and Zia HillSparks. Oregon Tech also extends special thanks to Mary-Jane Owen and Carleen Drago of the Office of Educational Partnerships and Outreach for their vital support in preparing the camp.
The camp concluded with a celebration and career discussion, where students explored pathways in surveying, GIS, and geospatial technology—fields central to community development, environmental management, and emerging technologies.
For more information about Oregon Tech’s degree programs in Surveying and Geographic Information Systems, visit www.oit.edu/geo.
