The Field Paleontology Research course is conducted on a private cattle ranch in eastern Wyoming. The region is low rolling grasslands at an elevation of about 4,200 feet. 

Ranch rules
 
One of the most important things to understand is that we are all there as guests of the ranch owners. It is our duty to respect the land, the flora, the fauna, and the owners. Cattle must be left undisturbed; shut all thru-fence gates; report any breaks in the fences; drive only along established paths; and generally leave the area the same as, if not better than, when we first arrived. We are to obey rules and requests by the ranch owners. Please note that the gravel/dirt road off the paved highway traverses private property. Drive carefully and be vigilant and cautious whenever cattle are present near the road. 

Campsite 

The campsite has a central facility with bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, and a meeting area. Sleeping will be in individual tents or other personal facilities. Electricity and hot-and-cold, running water are available. The kitchen facilities contain an electric stove, oven, and refrigerators. You will be able to recharge cell phones, etc. We also have a satellite internet connection and a computer wireless network in the camp area. There are a limited number of hookups for RVs or other such camping equipment. Everyone will have his or her own tent and sleeping bag or another camping setup. The only exception is for married couples and children that share sleeping quarters with their families.

 
Weather 

The weather is dry with occasional rainy days. The wind can be quite strong and constant. The temperature can be so low that you may find occasional frost at dawn, and it can be more than 100 degrees in the afternoon of the same day. Because of the unpredictable nature of the weather, you need to be flexible. One goal of the research project is to perform as much careful quarrying as possible. We try to take advantage of all the dry days to do so. There are other activities for rainy days! 

Food and meals 

A hot breakfast and dinner will be prepared for you, and materials for a sack lunch are set out in the morning for you to make your own lunch. Lunch is eaten at the quarry site. The fare is basically ovo-lacto vegetarian; however, we try to accommodate vegan and limited omnivore diets. 

The use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and illegal drugs are not permitted in the camp or the quarries. Smoking anywhere on the ranch is prohibited. 

Gear 

All the tools and eye protection that you will need will be provided. No one can work in a quarry without eye protection. While some shade is typically arranged for when working in the quarry, you need to consider serious protection from the sun. It is very easy to develop a painful sunburn. Appropriate clothing is essential. Cover exposed skin with opaque materials. Generally, long pants; a light, long-sleeved shirt; a hat; and a generous application of sunblock (SPF 45 or higher). Do not overdress. Heatstroke or heat exhaustion is a potential problem at times if you are not used to the warm climate. What is ideal to wear for early morning may not work well in the hot afternoon. Dress in layers. 

Laundry 

Laundry is typically done once a week on Friday afternoons. Therefore, you will need to bring a nine or ten day's supply of clothing.

 
Water consumption 

You are expected to fill your own canteen or water bottle each morning and carry it with you. Drinking water will be transported to the quarry each day for you to refill your supply when it is exhausted. Near the quarry is a port-a-potty, so there is no excuse to restrict your water intake. At times the working conditions are quite dry—it is easy to become dehydrated. Drink lots of water and drink often! 

Eyewear 

If you normally wear contact lenses, consider wearing glasses for the duration. Glasses provide the eye with protection that is required in the quarry and some protection against wind-driven dust. 

Jewelry 

If you wear a wedding band or other rings, seriously consider removing them during your time onsite. A ring can be damaged or lost and can easily become glued to your finger when working with the Bone Bond.  

Handwear 

Gloves may be desired. However, do not wear fabric gloves when working with Bone Bond. Superglue on the glove sets very fast, becomes hot, and can burn and/or glue your finger to the glove. Generally, gloves are useful to protect your hands when moving matrix, but they are cumbersome when working with delicate bones. 

Cell service 

The area is marginal for cell phone use. You may need to walk from the campsite to the top of a ridge or the quarry site to get a reliable signal. Not all cell phone service providers are equal—some provide service in camp, some at the top of a nearby ridge, and some not at all. 

Transportation 

The quarry site is located about one mile from the campsite. The route is not rugged, and has a slow uphill section from the campsite, a level section, and a slow descent to the quarry. You will generally walk this route. A van or pickup truck is driven out to the site to carry equipment, water, etc. If there is room, then you may have the van transport your pack. 

Saturdays and Sundays

Work in the quarries and lectures occur primarily Monday through Friday. The period from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday is observed as a day of rest by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. During this time, work and classes cease. Normal chores are suspended, and meals are generally prepared by the directors of the project. All participants are invited to attend worship activities in the morning. In the afternoon, activities, such as nature hikes, bird watching, travel to see the natural sites of the Black Hills, etc., are typically available. Sunday is, especially if the weather is good, often a day of work in the quarries. However, chores and quarry activities are not required for those who prefer to respect this day as a sabbath. 

Tent 
A rugged tent that can take strong winds is a must. Dome tents with only two over-the-top poles are inadequate. Please be certain your tent has at least three over-the-top poles or the equivalent. If your tent comes with slender, lightweight, backpacking "stakes," you will want to acquire sufficient heavy-duty ones to stake your tent firmly to the ground. Bring a tarp or other ground cloth to go under your tent. If you want to know what to expect, think of driving down the freeway at 50 miles per hour in heavy rain with your tent on top of your car!

Sleeping bag 
A warm sleeping bag with a trouble-free, adequate mattress pad is important. You will want more than the half-inch insolate backpacking pad. An inflatable mattress pad works well but can be prone to leaks. 

Luggage 
Pack your things in a duffle bag or other such container. It is suggested that the bottom be waterproof. Do not use plastic garbage bags to hold anything of value. It is too easy for things packed in garbage bags to be mistaken for trash and discarded. 

Clothing 
You will want to bring durable work clothes, such as jeans, etc., that can be worn in layers. Heavy hiking or work boots are not necessary, but you will want comfortable sports shoes. Flip-flops are not appropriate for work in the quarries. It is possible that you may be walking to the quarry in wet grass in the morning. There also may be the possibility of needing to do some work in mud. A sweatshirt can seem luxurious on cool, windy mornings. Laundry is typically done once a week on Friday afternoons. Therefore, you need to bring a nine or ten day's supply of clothing.

Day pack 
You will need a day pack to carry your lunch, dry socks, sunblock, camera, Field Notebook, or whatever you need for the day. Quarry tools are stored at the quarry site. 


Things that will be supplied: 
You do not need to bring: 

• Quarry tools 
• Eye protection 
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets 
• Cooking and eating utensils

Things to bring:

• Personal items
• Cash (for washing clothes and purchasing personal items) 
• Credit card for personal purchases 
• Driver's license or identification 
• Filled-out participant forms*

*Copies will be available for you to fill out when you arrive. If you are a minor without a parent or guardian, then you need to bring signed copies of the participant forms.

Medical things to bring:

• Sunblock (as high of SPF as possible) 
• Insect repellent 
• General analgesic (Aspirin, Tylenol,  Advil) 
• Vitamins 
• Any prescription medications 
• Glasses (if needed) 
• Sunglasses 

Books to bring:

• Devotional reading 
• Recreational reading 
• Field Notebook* 
• Textbook 
• Notebook for taking notes 
• Writing implements 

*If you do not have one, then you may acquire one when you arrive. 

Camping gear to bring:

• Good tent 
• Ground cover 
• Hefty tent stakes 
• Sleeping bag 
• Good sleeping pad or mattress 
• Pillow 
• Laundry bag (pillowcase will work—avoid the use of a garbage bag) 
• Canteen or heavy-duty water bottle 
• Small backpack 
• Sturdy duffle bag (waterproof bottom is desirable) 
• Flashlight (with spare batteries) 
• Alarm clock and/or watch 
• Toiletries 

Clothing to bring:

• Sturdy shoes 
• Hat 
• Jeans or work pants 
• Shorts 
• T-shirts 
• Long-sleeved shirt 
• Sweatshirt and/or jacket 
• Rain Pancho 
• Socks 
• Underwear 
• Towel (thin towel will dry faster) 
• Shower flip-flops (must be used for showers, may be used in camp—not appropriate for work in quarries) 

Other optional items to bring:

• Camera 
• Cell phone 
• Hand lens 
• Gloves 
• Binoculars 
• Personal music source 
• Compute (limited wireless internet is available in camp) 
• Folding camp chair 

Do not overpack! 

Keep in mind that on the return trip, space may be limited. The priority for space is in this order: 

• Recovered fossil material 
• People 
• Equipment 
• Personal items 

Participants, except for the project leaders and technical staff who have other responsibilities, are assigned to one of three or four chore groups. Generally, these chore groups correspond to a given quarry group or individuals from a set of quarries. The responsibilities are rotated daily, so no one individual will have the same responsibilities from one day to the next. This way we all get to help the camp and the project run smoothly. The routine chores are performed by the designated chore group except on Sabbaths. 

On Sabbaths, meals are prepared by the project leaders (and any who wish to help), and the food preparation and the washing of serving items are also done by the leaders. Worships are arranged. No routine cleaning chores are performed. The rotation continues through Saturday even though no duties are performed to ensure that chores are shared among the groups. 
 

Each Friday afternoon work in the quarries is halted early so participants can shower and collect their laundry for a trip to Newcastle. This trip usually includes an opportunity for camp grocery shopping as well as an opportunity for each participant to make some personal purchases. Dinner for Friday evening is typically at one of Newcastle's fine eateries. 

Other trips to visit appropriate sites in the Black Hills area may be taken on any selected day. At the beginning of the Sabbath hours on Friday evening, and the end of the Sabbath Saturday evening, there is an informal worship usually including enthusiastic music. The project leaders are responsible for it. 
 
Destinations may include: 

• Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota 
• Black Hills Institute in Hill City, South Dakota 
• Geology Museum at the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota 

In addition, there may be an opportunity to visit some other interesting sites, such as: 

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota 
• Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota 
• Devils Tower National Monument in Devils Tower, Wyoming 
• Crazy Horse Monument in Crazy Horse, South Dakota 

Working in quarries can be enjoyable and safe provided a few general rules are kept in mind. 
 

Liability and medical forms must be filled out and signed before working in the quarries. 

• Forms may be filled out and brought or obtained when you arrive. 
• All participants under the age of 18 must have the forms signed by a parent or guardian. 

Use protection from the sun. 

• Sunscreen, clothing, hat, shade, etc. can help prevent sunburn or the effects of heat exposure. 
• Do not wear heavy clothing that can inhibit cooling when it is hot. 

Keep your water bottle nearby and drink water!

• Everyone is to have their own personal water bottle—do not forget it back at camp! 
• All the drinking water you can drink will be supplied—refill your water bottle or canteen often. 
• If you are not visiting the bone head, you are not drinking enough. 
• Do not waste drinking water either by drinking directly from the containers or washing unless absolutely necessary. 

Always wear eye protection.

Either glasses or the supplied goggles are to be worn at all times. 

Work only in your assigned area. 

Always follow the instruction of the quarry supervisor and project leaders—they know where it is important to work to further the goals of the project. 

If you need to leave a work area, notify your quarry supervisor. 

It is respectful and courteous to let those who are responsible know where you are at all times. 

Do not wear fabric gloves when working with Bone Bond. 

A spill onto fabric can burn your skin and glue the burn to the gloves. 

If you glue fingers together or fingers to a bone, notify the quarry supervisor. 

The experienced quarry supervisors know what to do to help you. 

Assemble promptly for lunch or for transportation back to camp. 

• Your procrastination causes others to wait. 
• Stop working a few minutes early to take care of bone head visits so you will not be late. 
• If there is an unavoidable delay (such as the GPS finally arrived), then let your quarry supervisor know. 

Do not take any tools or supplies from any quarry without notifying the quarry supervisor. 

• Each quarry supervisor has a set of tools. 
• Generally extra Bone Bond and other supplies are kept in a central area. 

Each person working in the quarry should have a Field Notebook in which they record important information. It is a vital part of the recording and documentation process. Generally, you will have your own. However, for those who are working only for a few days, a shared one will be supplied. If you have one from previous years, then please continue using it. The Field Notebook may be obtained from the director of the project. The cost is $5.