Field Camp  

Dates

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 through Friday, June 11, 2010 INCLUSIVE

Reasons to choose the Buffalo Geology Field Program:

 ...because it's a traveling camp! The projects cover a large section of the central Rocky Mountains and include various rock types having different structural settings; thus, you receive a breadth of exposure not generally available from geology camps with fixed field stations.

 ...because it's in the Western US! The outcrop exposure is outstanding, inviting you to spend your time thinking about the geometry and spatial distribution of rocks. Of course, it's some of the most spectacular geology as well!

 ...because it's relatively inexpensive when compared to most other field camps!

 ...because it's four weeks long, and right at the beginning of the summer break (you'll be finished on June 11th)! You will still have plenty of time to work (or play) for the rest of the summer!

 ...because you will be taught by four different faculty instructors (with more than 25 total years of experience teaching field camps). More instructors means more geological expertise, a wider exposure to subtle differences in geological mapping styles, and lots of good campfire stories!

A view of the "golf course" and other sedimentary rock features in the Canyonlands area at the second site.

Camp Fee

The 2010 camp fee will be $1945. The camp fee covers the cost of food while camping and transportation at camp, and all camp operating expenses for your four-week excursion, including the motels used during travel between map sites. Upon acceptance into the program, you will be asked to submit a nonrefundable deposit of $400. This non refundable deposit will reserve your position in the program and is accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. We can only take 40 students maximum! The non refundable balance of your camp fee ($1545) is due March 31, 2010.  In addition to the camp fee, tuition for the course will be billed to you by the University at Buffalo Office of Student Accounts sometime during the summer (see below).

Tuition

Travel costs to Denver before the course and from Denver after the course are at the student's expense. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Denver.  All of the transportation within field camp is covered through the camp fee.

Camp Format

Students and staff camp in tents while at map sites. Each campsite has toilets. On travel days, students are able to shower and cleanup in motels. The camp doesn't provide showers but students may bring their own solar shower. Good hygiene is important and most students can get by using baby wipes until a shower is available.

PHYSICAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR UB GEOLOGY FIELD CAMP (Click Here For More Information)   The course is an intensive 4-week program of immersion in the methods of geological field mapping. Students camp during the majority of this time. Participants are in the field all day (9 AM to 4PM) during most days and are engaged in strenuous physical activity over most of this time.

Campsites are:

Grandview, Colorado -- on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway; Dugout Ranch, Utah -- a private ranch surrounded by awesome Wingate Formation mesas; Dinosaur National Park, Utah -- near spectacular Split Mountain; Q-Creek Ranch, Central Wyoming -- a private ranch in the middle of nowhere.

 

Hanging out at the Dugout Ranch (our second camp site).

Program Highlights

The University at Buffalo Geology Field Program is open to upper division geology and environmental science students enrolled at any college or university. The purpose of of the course is to develop observational and mapping skills. The curriculum of the camp is focused on mapping crystalline rocks (first 9 days) and folded & faulted sedimentary rocks (remaining 22 days). Geologic field trips and mapping exercises are located at four distinctly different physiographic and geologic localities in the United States: San Juan Mountains, Colorado; Canyonlands, Utah; Dinosaur National Monument, Utah; and Medicine Bow, Wyoming. The field program has taught over 1,300 students over the past 30 years. The gender distribution is usually 50 percent women and 50 percent men. Last year there were 40 students total from 16 different academic institutions. Usually about 65% of the students are from schools other than Buffalo. The camp has maintained the concept of a rustic, mobile, outdoor program, and students and staff live in tents while at mapping sites, and food is prepared at the camp site by staff. Students are encouraged to come prepared for the weather variations and to enjoy the outdoor way of life while learning principles of geologic mapping.

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