NHFQ is a 15-unit spring class open to ALL students. It is the only class you can take during your spring quarter. Upon acceptance, anyone may apply for a scholarship to waive part or all of the course fee. No previous camping or outdoor experience is required. See our suggestions for how to prepare to apply and be part of NHFQ.

To learn more, peruse more of this site, visit the Norris Center in Natural Sciences II Room 239, or contact Chris Lay at (831) 459-4763 or cml@ucsc.edu.

The NHFQ application must be submitted online, including a copy of your transcript and an uploaded Google Doc with answers to 9 short-answer questions. These questions will take time and effort to complete. Below are the 9 questions you need to answer. Remember to thoroughly answer each question, but limit your responses to no more than 2,000 words total per application. DO NOT use AI to write your application. You can also access the questions on the online application itself.

Short Answer Questions:

1. Overall, why do you want to take this course?
2. What parts of nature do you find particularly interesting and/or are excited to learn more about? (“I’m still figuring this out” is a perfectly good answer).
3. One of the primary goals of NHFQ is to teach you how to learn about the natural world directly through your own close observations of organisms and their environment, being curious, asking good questions, making more observations, and reflecting on all that you have learned. How will these nature observation and inquiry skills contribute to your academic interests at UCSC and your professional goals after college?
4. NHFQ students develop their skills and strengths in many areas, including: knowledge of California organisms and ecosystems, critical thinking, written and artistic communication, handling live (and sometimes dead) organisms, living away from screens, interpersonal relationships, giving and receiving feedback, networking, problem solving, physical skills and stamina, camping and outdoor living, group living, cooking, nature connection, and much more. How do you think the skills you develop in NHFQ will be valuable in your personal life beyond the course?
5. On the “What is NHFQ?” webpage, read the paragraph entitled “Life During Field Quarter”. Describe a time in your life when you have experienced long, demanding days, and the practices/skills/mindset that helped you thrive and overcome the challenges of that situation or environment.
6. Describe your previous experiences (other than the one described in question 5) that you feel prepare you for this course. These could include: specific experiences from previous coursework in high school or college (we do not need a course list as we have your transcript); job, work, internship, or volunteer experiences; camping, outdoor, and/or nature experiences; experiences with nature observation, writing, journaling, drawing, or painting; experiences with group living tied to a schedule; or any other experiences you believe are relevant.
7. During NHFQ, a rotating group of 4-5 students are responsible for cooking each day. Suppose it is your group’s turn to cook. You notice one of your group-mates frequently arrives later than the rest of your group, often disappears while others are cooking, and isn’t doing their share of the work. How would you handle this situation?
8. Developing a positive learning community is a vital piece of the success of NHFQ each year.  Beyond your academic background, what skills, qualities, interests, hobbies, etc. would you bring to the group that would help contribute to a positive, safe, and fun experience for everyone on the course?
9. (Optional) Is there anything else you want to tell us about yourself that you think would help us in our decision making process?