2009 Summer Dinosaur Digs

2009 Summer Dinosaur Digs

Come and dig with us this summer. We are currently excavating a site that has many different research activities going on. The site has numerous dinosaur bone and other fossils from the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation. The site has produced bones and/or teeth from Edmontosaurus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, Nanotyrannus, Leptoceratops, Saurornitholestes, Ankylosaur, Aublysodon, mammals, crocodiles, and much more. This is a great educational opportunity.

Dates (limited to 10 people/week):
June 15-19 July 13-17 Aug 3-7 Aug 24-28
June 22-26 July 20-24 Aug 10-14 Sept 7-11
July 6-10 July 27-31 Aug 17-21 Sept 14-18

Participation is open to individuals interested in the field of paleontology, education and field work in paleontology. Participants must be 18 years of age or accompanied by parent(s) or guardian. Parent(s) or guardian will at all times be responsible for their children. Neither the field leadership, nor the other participants, will at any time be responsible for the parenting responsibilities for those participants under the age of 18.

The cost to participate in the week long event will be $1000 per attendee, a deposit of $500 for each applicant must be submitted with the application no later than May 15 for June, June 1 for July, June 15 for August, and July 15 for September to guarantee a spot and NO pre-registration deposit will be returned after this date for your chosen week. Final payment must accompany the participants and be payable in full upon arrival. Once the week of activities has commenced, no refunds will be issued to participants. Please email any questions to info@dinosandmore.com or call 701-277-0809 (cell 701-226-9622).

Transportation to and from the Hoover, South Dakota to attend this event is the responsibility of each attendee. Arrival time should be after 4 pm MST on the Sunday of your planned week. Arrangements can be made for travel with the Fargo, ND group but there is limited space available. The registration will cover the costs of food, water, living facility, landowner fees, tools, some basic first aid materials and sunscreen, other materials, and equipment necessary for the type of fieldwork being undertaken.

The activities of these events will involve intense scientific study within west central South Dakota. This is not a “grab and go” kind of activity. All materials are collected and studied and owned by the field leadership and no materials are to be removed from the sites without proper consent of the field leaders. The study area is rugged and contains possible hazards. All participants must complete the Waiver of Liability Statement and submit it along with the completed Registration Form and pre-registration funds to become fully registered. We recommend you bring eyeglasses to the field instead of contacts as some days the area is windy and the dust and sand can blow quite a bit.


Important information for Field Participants


Items to bring to the field:
- Work clothes (Things get pretty dirty and weather changes are unpredictable. Recommended: long and short sleeved cotton shirts and long pants for field work; shorts are okay for free time and, if you wish (though it may not be advisable), for field work.)
- Boots and good socks for field work (sneakers should not be worn in the field!)
- A hat, preferably with a wide brim for sun protection
- Sunglasses, optional, but strongly recommended for UV protection
- Gloves for hand protection
- Personal toiletry articles, soap, shampoo, medications, etc
- Camera
- Notebook and any reading material you like
- Sunscreen, Chap Stick, insect repellant are available but you may have your own personal preferences for those items
- If you are very sensitive to dusty conditions you may require a respirator
- Basic medical materials are available (bandages, gauze, etc.) but if you feel you want more you can bring some of those materials with you and you will be responsible for your personal medical needs
- Alarm clock
- Backpack or book bag
- An iPod or personal CD or tape player (optional)

A washer and dryer are available where you will be staying. Detergent will be available but if you have a preference you can bring some of your own.

The house will have all of the bedding, towels and wash clothes you will need.

Please bring emergency contact information with you.

Cell phones are hit and miss in the area depending on your provider. The house may or may not have phone service but the store does so you may be able to use a phone card to make calls but only for quick calls.

Onsite, the bathroom facilities are “one with nature”. There are designated areas for people to do their business and we try to give you your privacy for that.

Many things are out of our control from weather to animals but we try to prepare you for all of the situations so you are ready for them ahead of time. Things you have control of are your clothing, protection from the sun and bugs, and knowing your own physical limitations. We want you to experience everything in a safe, fun, and educational way. This will last you a lifetime. How many people can say they got to dig dinosaur bones?