Jo-El's Geology Field Camp

My name is Jo-El Sidbury Smith, I'm a 27-year-old female, and I'm currently an undergraduate senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington working to obtain my B.S. Geology (Professional track).
I am involved with many extracurricular activities on campus, some of which also highlight my academic achievements. I'm President of the GeoClub, Secretary of Sigma Gamma Epsilon - National Earth Sciences Honor Society (membership in Sigma Gamma Epsilon tells a prospective employer or a colleague that you are at least a "B" average student and that in the eyes of your peers you are professionally motivated), member of Tau Sigma (National Transfer Student Honor Society), member of the Dean's Student Leadership Council of the College of Arts and Sciences, Campus Representative for Stories of STEM (highlighting Women in STEM Fields), recipient of the Victor Zullo Memorial Scholarship, recipient of the Outstanding Departmental Service Award, and I also volunteer my time coaching Science Olympiad on the subject of Rocks and Minerals as well volunteering with Girl Scouts. I'm also a member of the Geological Society of America (GSA) and the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG).
As for my academics, I currently have a 3.36 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and have not sunk below a 3.25 during my higher education. I am also a first generation college student, in addition to being a non-traditional student (27 years of age, previous Associates Degree in Political Science from 2010). 

In addition to my extracurriculars, I also work in the Department of Philosophy and Religion on the UNCW campus - I have been employed there since I began my education in 2016.

As a senior level student, part of our graduation requirement is to attend a Field Course in order to demonstrate your geological knowledge. UNCW hosts a field course that takes place in the states of West Virginia and New Mexico. However, costs associated with field course are left to the student to pay - totaling approximately $2960 which breaks down to the following: lodging, food, vans, fuel ($1800 - due April 1st), tuition (UNCW rate for 4 hrs of summer schedule credits is approximately $660 - due in May) and a round-trip plane ticket (currently around $500 - needs to be purchased ASAP, before flights are no longer available).

This trip is the final step in my education - without it. I wil not be able to receive my Bachelor's degree. I am greatly and deeply appreciative of any and all donations - no matter the amount. Every dollar helps. I have applied for scholarships, I'm maxed out on Student Loans for the year due to paying for my regular semesters, and Summer Financial Aid is generally only given to those taking 6 credit hours of more - this field course is only 4. 

Upon graduation, and after gainful employment, I plan to pay the donations forward - I want to establish a Field Course Scholarship at my school, so that another student can be able to go to field course without feeling the impact of financial stress. I want another student to be able to have a chance at completing their education without worrying about where the money they don't have is going to come from.

Thank you for taking the time to read my plight, and again, I appreciate any and all donations toward my education expenses.