Hello All, This summer I'll be needing to complete a Field course to graduate on my expected date with a BS in Professional Geology. I was wondering if any one had any suggestions or insight into the out of country (USA) field camps offered through schools like James Madison and Michigan Tech. I am in the process of applying to several and was wondering if my friends at Mindat might have any suggestions for getting a spot in the competitive courses or maybe what schools I should avoid due to poor programs. Any experiences you would care to share would be more than welcome as I would prefer to learn from others mistakes so that I can spare myself the hardships! Most field courses offer the basic mapping and sed/strat courses, however my ideal career would be something I could apply my love of Mineralogy towards, hence I would love to get in a program like the MTU program in which I know I can acquire more specimens for my collection in the local towns. Any and all input is greatly appreciated, Chris Kyler http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,249050#msg-249050 Mon, 20 May 2013 12:23:11 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258150#msg-258150 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258150#msg-258150 BOB HARMAN Education Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:36:00 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258144#msg-258144 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258144#msg-258144
Don]]> Don Saathoff Education Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:56:11 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258136#msg-258136 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258136#msg-258136
It is probably too late unless there is a cancellation, but you might check out the Indiana University program. They have a couple of options and the geology in the primary study area (central Montana) is diverse. So far as mineral collecting, you would have Sundays off to do some exploring if you wanted to forego washing laundry.

Steve]]> Stephen Rose Education Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:46:31 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258135#msg-258135 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258135#msg-258135
Dennis]]> Dennis Tryon Education Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:42:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258130#msg-258130 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,258130#msg-258130
Another consideration is whether the "camp" is a camping trip. Camping takes up a significant amount of time, just dealing with setting up and breaking down the camp, cooking, cleaning up and re-packing, etc. It can also be difficult to work, though internet availability helps with writing and researching reports, etc. I'd look for a course offered at a permanent facility, where you don't have to deal with quite as much extraneous "stuff".

I think the focus of a field course should be on honing observation skills and encouraging student independence.]]> Carl (Bob) Carnein Education Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:14:37 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,250744#msg-250744 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,250744#msg-250744
There are several great programs that offer a good field geology camp; however, based on what you have stated as your criteria for selecting a camp, it sounds to me like you're not real serious about field geology!! One goes to these camps to learn about field techniques and not how much they can increase their mineral collection. If you are solely looking at field camps based on mineral collecting, then I'm afraid you'll be very disappointed (not to mention your grade will suffer).

As far as good programs; Michigan Tech does offer a great field camp although their overseas one is based too much on computers and not enough on real geology. I would choose the normal one in Upper Michigan if it were me. Other good ones include New Mexico Tech, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota-Duluth, and several of the Canadian schools including Memorial University in Newfoundland. What ever program you choose, it is important that you put in the hard work that is required of field camp. I found it to be a very fun and rewarding experience, whether I was a student or the professor teaching the camp.]]> Paul Brandes Education Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:17:13 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,249082#msg-249082 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,249082#msg-249082
[www.uakron.edu]]]> Matt Neuzil Education Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:24:34 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,249050#msg-249050 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,62,249050,249050#msg-249050 This summer I'll be needing to complete a Field course to graduate on my expected date with a BS in Professional Geology. I was wondering if any one had any suggestions or insight into the out of country (USA) field camps offered through schools like James Madison and Michigan Tech. I am in the process of applying to several and was wondering if my friends at Mindat might have any suggestions for getting a spot in the competitive courses or maybe what schools I should avoid due to poor programs. Any experiences you would care to share would be more than welcome as I would prefer to learn from others mistakes so that I can spare myself the hardships! Most field courses offer the basic mapping and sed/strat courses, however my ideal career would be something I could apply my love of Mineralogy towards, hence I would love to get in a program like the MTU program in which I know I can acquire more specimens for my collection in the local towns.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated,
Chris Kyler]]> Chris Kyler Education Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:01:19 +0000