• Dr. Caleb Holyoke - Structural Geology
• Dr. John Peck - Field Camp Director, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy

• Field camp is divided into two parts (Geology Field Camp I & II) to provide students the option of taking camp over two summers rather than one. Some students are unable to spend five weeks away from home because of family or work commitments. The class has been divided to make it possible for these students to complete their degree requirements. 

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• The answer depends upon your schedule. If you are able, then taking both camps I and II in one summer eliminates several days spent traveling between camps. The material covered will be the same whether you take the classes separately or together.

• No, Geology Field Camp I requires Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Sedimentology-Stratigraphy and permission of the Field Camp Director. Students receive substantial instruction in the field supported by evening lectures which introduce topics to be covered the following day. Geology Field Camp II requires that you have taken Geology Field Camp I, Mineralogy-Petrology, and Structural Geology and have permission of the Field Camp Director. We assume greater academic experience and include more individual exercises in this part of field camp.

• If you take both Geology Field Camp I & II you will work at three different sites: 1. South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, SD; 2. Northwest College, Powell, WY; 3. The Seminoe Mountains, located about 50 miles southwest of Casper, WY. In addition, you will stay overnight in Bear Lodge, Bighorn Mts. (2 nights), Grand Tetons National Park (2 nights). We chose to travel between these locations because it gives more variety to the exercises and it provides more opportunities to see the geology of the northern Rocky Mountains. 

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• We have camped in the past but we will not be camping this year. Why? Because camping involves bringing a lot more equipment which is only used four times and it often requires that students borrow or buy items they don't already own. In the Tetons, we will be staying in tent cabins for two nights (sleeping bags required). One advantage of this arrangement is that we are located closer to visitor facilities than we would if we were in group camp sites.

• At the beginning of camp you will be given a field camp manual, a 3-ring file containing approximately 100 pages of information necessary to complete the class. The objectives of the field exercises, the methods to be used, and the specific assignments for each exercise are described in detail in the manual. Data are collected in the field and the exercises are completed in the evenings.

• Yes. During the first part of camp (Rapid City) all the exercises last for one or two days and are intended to introduce you to the techniques of field work. Most exercises last for 2 or 3 days at Powell, where we begin to map larger areas with a greater variety of features. During Geology Field Camp II the exercises may last for up to six days and involve more exercises where you will be working on your own.

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• Yes. During the first part of camp (Rapid City) all the exercises last for one or two days and are intended to introduce you to the techniques of field work. Most exercises last for 2 or 3 days at Powell, where we begin to map larger areas with a greater variety of features. During Geology Field Camp II the exercises may last for up to 6 days and involve more exercises where you will be working on your own.

• Yes. The professors will be in the field with you every day. Early exercises involve mapping in relatively small areas to ensure that students are never too far from an instructor if they need assistance. As your abilities increase, so too will the size of the map area.

• Weather can certainly influence your enjoyment of camp and we try to time our trip west to ensure it will be warm enough to do work in the northern Rockies (so we don't leave until late May) but not too hot for larger mapping exercises in the arid basins at the end of camp (we finish in early July before daily temperatures reach the 100s). Temperatures in the field may range from 40s-90s F, but are more often between 70-85 F. We have been snowed on a few times but students seem to find it more of a highlight than a problem. Precipitation is generally not a problem; however, you should bring a rain-proof and wind-proof rain coat that can be easily stored in your day-pack and expect at least one downpour while in the field.

• Consider two things. First, how much is tuition? Tuition and fees will total about $2500 for six credits of Geology Field Camp I & II (exact rates will not be released until late in the Spring semester). The operating costs per camp is approximately $1150 (see separate cost estimate) for a total of $2300 for both camps. That includes all meals and lodging. We could save money by spending more time camping but we believe that working conditions would deteriorate. Students work hard in the field all day; we feel it is important to be able to come back to a dry room, a warm shower and a good meal. We have worked hard to keep costs as low as possible. Students do not pay for instructor salaries or their living expenses as part of their costs.

• Geology Field Camp I: late May until mid-June
• Geology Field Camp II: mid-June until early July

• Complete and submit the electronic application form linked to the field camp homepage and send a copy of your unofficial transcripts. Applications will be accepted until places are filled.

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• Please contact Dr. John Peck if you have any questions about the Geology Field Camp program. He can be reached by phone (330-972-7659), by fax (330-972-7611), by e-mail or by letter (Field Camp Director, Department of Geology, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-4101).