Leech research group: Find a geology field camp that's right for you

Before you apply to a geology field camp, be sure to speak to an academic advisor in your program to ensure your choice of field camp will meet your degree program requirements. Summer field camps usually consist of 4 to 6 weeks (equivalent to 4 to 6 semester units) of intensive field coursework, which allows students the opportunity to apply and integrate the knowledge and skills obtained in their undergraduate courses and prepares them further for work as a professional geologist and/or graduate studies.*

Future Professional Geologist certification considerations

Summer field camp also ensures that graduating geology students have met the appropriate coursework requirements to secure future professional licensure. To qualify to take the Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and Professional Geologist (PG) exams in California requires a minimum of 5 semester units of upper division field instruction in geology as part of your coursework. PG licensure may be required by employers for positions in the consulting industry (e.g., environmental or geotechnical work), so taking summer field geology will make you more employable in the environmental and geotechnical consulting industry. You can qualify for entry-level positions with the Geologist-in-Training certificate from California and/or by passing the FG exam.

Most geology field camps are in the northern hemisphere and take place over the summer with starting dates in May through August. There are a few field camps (e.g., in New Zealand) that take place over the winter – the timing of these field camps may help you to finish your degree requirements earlier (i.e., so that you don't have to wait for a summer field camp course).

Geology Field Camps

– Geology.com's Geology Field Camps - A Comprehensive Listing (mixture of U.S.-based and international field camps)

– *NAGT's list of 2021 Field Camps: Virtual, In-Person, and Hybrid

– NAGT's Field Course Collection

– South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Field Camps (in the U.S. and abroad)

– San José State University's Geology Field Camp is a great choice for SF Bay Area students. The Sacramento State Field Camp and the University of Nevada Reno Summer Field Camp also accept applications from students at other universities.

Alternative Summer Field Courses

Here are some alternatives to the traditional geology field camp courses (these are just examples – there are many others):

Paleontology field course – Montana State University - Bozeman
Geophysics field course – Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE)
Hydrogeology field course – Western Michigan University
Glaciology/Climatology+ field course – Juneau Icefield Research Program

Field Camp Costs

Refer to this American Geosciences Institute study of the "Median costs of field camp attendance at US-based institutions." Here's what it boils down to: "The median cost to attend field camp at all US-based institutions as an in-state student is $3,850, wtih overall costs ranging from a minimum of $1,550 to a maximum of $7,425." The cost varies considerably depending on several factors including: 1) the length of the field course (3, 4, 5, or 6 weeks), 2) whether there is travel involved (our majors have completed geology field camps in Hawaii, Iceland, Turkey, Morocco, France, etc.), 3) the type of accommodation varies widely from low-cost tent camping to higher end cabins or lodges that include kitchen facilities and indoor plumbing, and 4) students may also be required to pay out-of-state tuition if the field camp is offered through a university based outside of California. I will reiterate that a 3- or 4-week field geology course (therefore 3 or 4 semester units) meets part of the graduation requirements for our Geology BS program at SF State, but a 5- or 6-week field camp course (equal to a minimum of 5 semester units) is required for certification as a Professional Geologist in California. Note that it is possible to sum together the total upper division field instruction you have had to achieve this minimum 5 units – for example, you might be able to apply a 2-unit upper division Field Methods course and a 4-unit field camp course to meet this requirement.

Choosing a Field Camp & What to Expect

– Field Camp: An Introduction & Personal Experiences by Adriane Lam of the Time Scavengers blog

– Why Should I Study Geology in the Field? by Lee J. Suttner, Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University

– Advice on How to Choose a Field Camp by David Rodgers, former Geology Field Camp Director, Idaho State University

– What to Expect at Geology Field Camp, by Emily & Eric Ferré, Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University

– Essay about field camp – Mind, Body, and Spirit – by Jade Bowers

*Note that licensing as a Professional Geologist in California requires a minimum of 5 semester units of field-based coursework (total) to qualify. For those who may have taken an online field camp during the COVID-19 pandemic, the licensing requirements do not explicitly exclude online field camp training, but whether or not credit is given for an online field camp will be left to the discretion of the licensing board. Post-pandemic, you should attend an in-person field camp to avoid future problems with your qualifications for professional licensing.

Be sure to check out the Field Ethics and Sampling Checklist and the GSA Today article "Establishing an ethic of sampling for future generations of geoscientists" that gives more details: