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

– USGS Survey of Geoscience 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

– 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

Potential dangers of working in the field

A couple of recent articles have pointed to potential dangers of sexual harassment or assault during scientific field work. I can't say that I'm surprised at the numbers. When you're working in a strange environment, a foreign country, in close quarters, adverse conditions, etc., the possibility of harassment or assault is increased. I am linking to the articles here to share with you. You have to be smart to protect yourself when you're in the field in many different ways.

Here is the New York Times opinion piece by Hope Jahren (University of Hawaii) about her experience in the field, including a warning to women in the field sciences, and hope that men will learn about this problem too.

This is the PLoS One article by Clancy et al. (2014) that is referenced in the NY Times article.

January 2019 update: The stories of harassment of women in the field continue. Read this compelling story of a Boston University professor and his graduate student in the field in Antarctica in Science.

Field camp is a really good thing

Field camp has become less commonly required for geology majors in the last ~10 years. That's a bad thing. In our department, we offer students a choice of either completing a field camp course with another university or completing a research project as part of a senior thesis. I believe most undergraduate geology students should take field camp, and that the undergraduate education in geology is incomplete without it. Field camp is excellent preparation for graduate school, for geotechnical jobs that require field experience, and a minimum of 5 semester units is required to qualify for the exams to become a Professional Geologist in California. Here are lists of over 100 field courses and field camps offered across North America and a few outside the US (even a couple in the southern hemisphere for those who want a winter field camp between November and February). Students in our department have attended – and gave rave reviews on – several of the field camps given through the South Dakota School of Mines & Techonology (specifically Hawaii, Montana, Iceland, Turkey, Morocco & France). 

Choosing a field camp & what to expect

This post has links to articles giving advice on how to choose a field camp and articles discussing what to expect at field camp. When choosing a field camp at another institution, consider finding a group of friends that might want to go with you so that you can apply together. That way, when you're starting out you already know at least a few people. However, one of the comments I hear frequently from students on their return is how great it was to meet students from so many different places. 

Field camp isn't cheap

Please see this post that points you to a few resources that might help. You can reduce the cost by 1) attending field camp at your home institution so that you don't have to cover the cost of tuition at another university; 2) attend a field camp close to home to reduce the amount of travel needed to simply get to the field camp site; 3) attend a field camp in which you're actually expected to camp in tents (many offer cabins or other accommodations that increase the total cost); or 4) choose a field camp in a location that you can find cheap air tickets to/from.

How to prepare for field work and what to pack

We brainstormed today on how to plan/prepare and pack for field work using a difficult field area as an example – the Indian Himalaya. Keep in mind you should travel as lightly as possible and this must all fit into a backpacking pack and one Action Packer (filled with the consumables). The results of the brainstorming session form a check list for the field party:

Before you go (well in advance):
Plan the route: Where is the relevant geology? Do you need permission to access certain areas? Is it safe to travel in those regions? Are there access roads or will it require backpacking, horses, or rafting?
Check road conditions, weather conditions
Check for clothes appropriate for weather/local customs (it can be in the 80s during the day and in the 30s at night; Women: maybe no shorts or tank tops)
Compile maps: topographic, geological and road maps
Choose scientific papers to reference in the field
Assemble aerial photographs and/or satellite images (if available or from Google Earth)
Buy emergency medical/evacuation insurance
Current passport and Indian visa
Update vaccinations (you may not be vaccinated completely for Hepatitis and be sure your Tetanus is up-to-date)
Compile contact info, flight info, relevant phone numbers (for airlines, hotels, etc.)
Check travel advisories with the U.S. Department of State
Arrange a GSM cell phone (with international use activated or unlocked for an Indian SIM card)
Call credit card companies to notify that you’ll be traveling and to accept those charges
Register your travel plan with U.S. embassy in New Delhi
Order/purchase equipment or supplies (see below)

What else to pack:

Geology-related gear:
Brunton
“Rite in the Rain” field book (with any necessary IUGS diagrams, etc. you might want in the field taped inside)
Field pouch (to carry field book, Sharpies, chisels…)
Pens and pencils, colored pencils
Sharpies (several)
Sample bags – cloth or Ziploc freezer bags (quartz and gallon size)
Ruler/scale?
Field belt (for carrying hammer, field pouch, etc.)
Spare heavy duty duffle bag(s) for additional rocks
Hand lens on cord
4-lb. sledgehammer “crack hammer” with a long handle (pack this in checked baggage to be easily accessed by TSA agents)
Chisels (at least 2)
Backpack (day pack and backpacking pack if trekking overnight)
Binoculars/monocular?
Clipboard

Things that need batteries or charging:
Camera, 1+ Gb memory card(s), and batteries
GPS and batteries
Laptop computer?
AC power inverter for cigarette lighter charging
Chargers (if necessary for camera, phone, GPS, computer, etc.)
All necessary cables (data [USB] and power cables for camera, phone, GPS, computer…)
Satellite phone (unnecessary unless in very remote regions of Tibet)
Ethernet cable
Headlamp and batteries
Extra batteries
Instruction manuals for unfamiliar electronics
Electric plug adapter appropriate for the country
Alarm clock or watch with an alarm

Other stuff:
Laundry cord or rope
Action Packer(s) for rock transport, and name/address labels (bring copies) for inside and out
Tent
TSA locks for checked baggage
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad/Thermarest
Sleep sheet (for funky Indian “hotels”)
Cash, credit card(s), ATM card
Several extra copies (~10) of both your passport photo/info page and Indian visa (must be surrendered for travel permits)
Secure (zip-up) wallet for travel documents and cash, etc.
Sunglasses and lanyard
Sunblock (very important)
Duct tape (at least one big roll)
Hat
Hiking boots
Tevas or Chacos (to air out the feet, river crossings, showering)
Zip-off pants
Quick-dry, lightweight clothes
Spare Ziploc bags
Swiss Army knife (in checked luggage)
Bathing suit
Hiking socks
Rainjacket
Towel
Toilet paper (no joke, bring a roll)
Bandana (for exhaust/dust)
Good, long paperback book(s) that you can leave behind
Lonely Planet guide (or similar)
Phrasebook or translation dictionary (Hindi and Ladakhi?)

Cooking/eating/drinking:
Cup/mug
Nalgene(s)
Clif or Power bars and/or dried fruit
Lemonade mix so water doesn’t get boring (encourages you to drink) like Crystal Light “On the Go” packets
Stove that uses available fuel like the Primus Gravity MF II
Fuel cannister and coffee filters for dirty fuel
Pot for cooking
Bowl/plate
Tupperware container for carrying lunch?
Utensils
Matches
Plastic bottle of something alcoholic (for cleaning wounds, of course)

Medications and health-related items:
Iodine and dropper or water filter (filters may clog with rock powder in glacial run-off)
Toiletries
Anti-inflammatories like Advil or Aleve
Painkillers like Tylenol
Antibiotics (Cipro)
Laxative (for after days of dal, dal, and more dal)
Any regular medications
Altitude sickness pills like Diamox/Acetazolamide
Anti-malarial medication
First aid kit (bandaids, alcohol wipes, antibiotic cream, moleskin…)

Once there:
Apply for travel permits to access restricted areas
Buy a SIM card for GSM phone, phone card with minutes
Buy propane (or other available gas for stove)
Buy food and case of bottled water
Arrange car and driver

Then go do it!
Collect lots of structural data, take lots of notes, take more photos than you think are necessary, go ahead and collect that sample you're not sure you'll need, orient every sample that you can, label every. single. piece. of. rock. with a sample number (and the sample bag!), mark GPS waypoints frequently, and have fun.

Research grants, Fellowships, and Scholarships

I've compiled a list of research grants, fellowships, and scholarships for both graduate students and undergraduates in the Department of Earth & Climate Sciences at SF State (with a focus on students in my research group). If you see something you want to apply for, put the deadline on your calendar now so that you can start your application, request letters of recommendation, and order transcripts well in advance of the deadline. Deadlines generally hover around the same time of year if not the same date each year:

Graduate Student Research & Travel Grant Opportunities and Fellowships

• AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid program, $500-$3,000 - deadline January 15
• AAAS Pacific Division Student Research Award, up to $750 - deadline May 1
• AAAS Pacific Division Student Travel Grants, up to $150 - deadline 5pm on May 1
• AEG Foundation Funds, variable - deadline February 1
• AIPG William J. Siok Graduate Scholarship Program, $1,000 - deadline February 1
• AGeS2 Program, GSA, for geochronology student research - deadline 3pm on February 1 annually
• AGU travel grants (specific international meetings only) - variable
• College of Science and Engineering, SF State - deadlines vary
• Department of Geosciences research grants, up to $800 - deadlines in the 5th week of Fall semester and the 10th week of Spring semester (usually announced by e-mail)
• EDMAP, US Geological Survey, up to $17,500 - deadline in November
• GSA Graduate Student Research Grants (~50% success rate!), with an average award of ~2,000 - deadline February 1
• GSA Travel Grants to Cordilleran Section meetings - deadline in late Winter/early Spring
• MSA Grant for Student Research in Mineralogy & Petrology, up to $5,000 - deadline March 1
• MSA Grant for Research in Crystallography, up to $5,000 - deadline March 1
• National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship program, must be U.S. Citizen, generous stipend + tuition - deadline November 2
• National Geographic Society Early Career Grants, $5,000-$10,000 - deadline October 21
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, generous stipend + tuition - deadline October 22 annually
• SEG scholarships, $500-$10,000 - deadline March 1
• Society of Economic Geologists Graduate Student Fellowship Program, $2,500-$15,000 - deadline February 1
• Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research program, up to $1,000 - deadlines March 15 & October 1
• Zeiss-GSA Research Grant, $10,000 - deadline February 3

Undergraduate Student Research & Travel Grant Opportunities, and Scholarships

• AEG Foundation Funds, variable - deadline February 1
• AIPG National Undergraduate Scholarships, $1,000-$3,000 - February 1
• Association of Independent Professional Earth Scientists National Undergraduate Scholarship, $1,000-$3,000  - deadline February 1
• College of Science and Engineering, SF State - deadlines vary
• Department of Defense SMART Scholarship Program, generous stipend + tuition - deadline 5pm on December 1
• Department of Geosciences research grants, up to $400 - deadlines vary (announced by email)
• The Desk and Derrick Educational Trust scholarships, U.S. & Canadian citizens only (Min. 3.2 GPA) - deadline April 1
• EDMAP, US Geological Survey, up to $10,000 - deadline in November
• Expanding Representation in Geosciences, GSA, diversity program, $1,500 - deadline May 15
• The Gladys Carol Scholarship Program, $2,500 (renewable, Min. 3.75 GPA) - deadline March 31
• The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation (apply in Sophomore year), tuition + $7,500 - Fall deadline
• GSA Travel Grants to Cordilleran Section meetings - deadline in late Winter/early Spring
• Microscopy Society of America, Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program, up to $3,000 - deadline 11:59pm on December 1 
• MSA Grant for Student Research in Mineralogy & Petrology, up to $5,000 - deadline March 1
• MSA Grant for Research in Crystallography, up to $5,000 - deadline March 1
• National Geographic Society Early Career Grants, $5,000-$10,000 - deadline October 21
• On To The Future, GSA, diversity travel grant to attend the Annual Meeting of the GSA
• SEG scholarships, $500-$10,000 - deadline March 1
• Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research program, up to $1,000 - deadlines March 15 & October 1

Underrepresented Students and/or Womxn Only

• AAPG L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grants - deadline March 31
• AGI Scholarship Programs, Harriet Evelyn Wallace Scholarship for Female Graduate Geoscience Students, $5,000 (can apply twice) - deadline February 7
• AWG awards (scholarships, travel awards, field-based or paleontology research) - award amounts and deadlines are variable
• Collabera STEM Scholarship (women only), $2,500 - deadline May 29
• Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship (U.S. Citizens only, URM award) - deadline December 17

Field Camp Scholarships (in addition to above scholarships)

• AEG Foundation Beardsley-Kuper Field Camp Scholarship Fund - deadline February 1
• AISES Exxon Mobil scholarships (indigenous students only), $3,000 - deadline May 31
• AWG Maria Crawford Field Camp scholarship, $750 - deadline February 14
• GSA Field Camp Awards, $2,000-$10,000 - deadline March 27 
• NAGT scholarships for field study, $750 - deadline February 14
• SEG Field Camp program, $1,000-$20,000 - deadline February 1
• Scholarships for the Indiana University Judson Mead Geologic Field Station, $40-$180 per credit hour (~80% of students receive a scholarship)
• TravelingGeologist Fieldwork Scholarship (800CAD [or equivalent foreign currency]) - deadline March 31

Good luck!