PROGRAM

The Department of Geology at Western Illinois University conducts a six week Geology Summer Field Camp at the Black Hills of South Dakota. The main emphasis of our field camp program is placed on understanding basic field relationships in a setting of diverse geological terranes. This is carried out by teaching students: (1) basic field techniques, (2) measurement and description of diverse stratigraphic sequences, and (3) geologic mapping on topographic base maps and aerial photographs. Also included are side trips to points of interest, such as caves, pegmatite mines, Badlands National Park, the hotsprings, and other sites of geological interest in the Black Hills and surrounding areas in Wyoming such as Devil's Tower, the Bighorn Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Tetons.

SCHEDULE

May 23-24 Drive to South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, SD

May 25-30 Map Project I. Little Elk Creek. Also: visit the Badlands.

May 31-June 5 Map Project II. Lange Ranch. Also: visit Jewel Cave & Mammoth Hot Springs.

June 6, Sunday Free Day.

June 7-11 Map Project III. Whitewood Peak.

June 12 Free Day; pack for Wyoming field excursion.

June 13-19 Wyoming: Devil's Tower, Powder River Basin, Gillete, Wyoming coal seam; Big Horn Mountains, Beartooth Mountains, Stillwater complex, Yellowstone & Tetons National Parks.

June 20, Sunday Free Day

June 21-25 Map Project IV, Bear Butte.

June 26, Saturday Field excursion to visit Precambrian metamorphic outcrops and pegmatite mines.

June 27, Sunday Free Day.

June 28-July 1 Map Project V, Nemo Quadrangle.

July 2-3 Return to Macomb, Illinois.

LOCATION

Base is the residence halls of the South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, South Dakota. Shopping, educational, and hospital facilities of Rapid City are those of a medium-sized metropolitan area. A wide variety of restaurants are available for weekend dining.

LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS

Beds are in residence halls at South Dakota School of Mines. Study lounges and desks are present in the residence halls. Meals are taken on campus (Monday-Friday) at the Surbeck Center. Coin laundry facilities are available at the residence halls. Participants will need to bring sheets, blankets, and pillows or sleeping bags for use in the residence halls.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Geology 361 (3 semester hours) and 362 (3 semester hours): Geology 361 covers approximately the work completed during the first three weeks and Geology 362 covers field work completed during the last three weeks of field camp. Therefore, students receive separate grades for Geology 361 and 362 for a total of six (6) semester hours.

PREREQUISITES

Physical geology, historical geology, mineralogy, sedimentology/stratigraphy and petrology are course prerequisites. Structural geology and/or field methods are recommended.

APPROXIMATE COSTS

(1)            Transportation Fee --                                $  300.00

(2)            Dormitory room (single occupancy)         $  840.00 

(3)  Meals (5 days, 3 meals/day) -- Approximately    $  472.00

                                    TOTAL             single            $  1612.00

(4)  Registration

  (WIU tuition & University fees -- 6 semester hours)                         $ 1535.76**

                        You will be billed this amount by Western Illinois University. 

** Summer rates have not yet been set, this estimate is based on current rates. Tuition rates may increase by 5-10%.

(5)  Domestic Travel Insurance  (WIU requirement of all travel students unless a waiver is submitted and accepted.  Billed to University account)            $  164.82

(6)   Other anticipated costs                                    $  500.00

            (Meals -- Saturday and Sunday, plus miscellaneous costs)

Total anticipated field camp cost                        Single            $3,812.58

INFORMATION

Although the field camp is conducted for WIU geology majors, non-WIU students may also enroll. For further information contact:

next> stop

Badlands group shot

Wind Cave

Devil's Tower

Group Shot at Stillwater Mine

Yellowstone National Park

Grand Tetons

Yellowstone Canyon

Old Faithful

Wall Drug

Old Faithful

Old Faithful

Mount Rushmore

Grand Tetons