Black Hills Field Station

Black Hills Geology Field Station 2011  Mr. Ertl

Welcome! In the summer of 2011, I will again be offering a six day Geology Field Station in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Last year, eleven 9th graders took the trip! This is the fourth summer that I have offered this program.

This program is open to grade 9, and is limited to 8 students (4 boys and 4 girls). Please click below for all the details and for sample pictures. We hope you can join us!

Black Hills Geology Field Station: Course Description and Fees

Designed to provide honors level science field experiences not available in the classroom, the Black Hills Geology Field Station invites energetic and talented SPA students. Located in scenic Custer State Park in the rugged Black Hills, participants will be housed in comfortable cabins at Legion Lake Resort (click HERE for information)

In a thorough field study of 35 selected geologic sites in the southern Black Hills, Wind Cave National Park, and Badlands National Park, the students will be introduced to basic methods of geologic mapping and interpretation. Preparation of structural cross-sections and geologic maps will aid in the group goal of reconstruction of the geologic history of the Black Hills.  There will be opportunity for fossil collection on approved sites.

In addition to daily field work, early evening discussion sessions for analysis of group data will be held. While intensive daily outdoor study is required, ample recreational time is scheduled. Campfire programs, swimming, convenience store and related lodge services are available. Early application is encouraged as enrollment is limited to eight persons (4 boys and 4 girls).

Dates: June  – June  , 2011 (7 days, 6 nights)

Costs per student: $

   

Round Trip Air to Rapid City (estimated, you purchase tickets)

$

Cabin at Legion Lake Resort, Custer State Park (shared by 4 students)

$ 

Meals: 6 breakfasts in cabins, 7 field lunches, 6 dinners at Legion Lake Lodge Dining Room.

$

Rental Van Transport in Black Hills (includes your transfer from airport, gas, park entrance fees, admission to attractions). Mr. Ertl's cabin fees.

$

Total

$

Important Dates: January 1 2011: $ 100 deposit due for applicants (non-refundable)

May 1, 2011   Balance due

Mr. Ertl reserves the right to cancel this course due to insufficient enrollment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do we get to the Hills?

We will all fly in a group to Rapid City via Delta airlines. Purchase advance roundtrip tickets. Mr. Ertl will pick you up transport you to Legion Lake Resort, and back to the airport for your return flight.

2. What if my parents want to drive me to the Black Hills?

No problem! But it may be more fun to go as a group by air (and easier).

3. Where do we stay in the Black Hills?

You will stay in cabins at Legion Lake Resort, in Custer State Park. These cabins have private baths, and sleep four persons. Below are pictures of the cabins, the resort, and Legion Lake:

 Photos: Legion Lake Resort Dining Hall and convenience store, Resort Logo and Lake, Mr. Ertl's cabin, student cabins, interior of cabins, outcrop on lakeshore.

4. How do we eat?

Each morning you will eat breakfast in Mr. Ertl's housekeeping cabin, and then we will put together our field lunches. Dinner will be at the main lodge. If  you need snacks or other supplies, a convenience store is located at the lodge.

5. How do we travel in the Hills to our Study Sites?

We will travel in a passenger van. In previous years, we travelled in two vehicles. Click on the image to the right, from our 2007 trip:      

6. Is the course hard?

No, I have constructed this experience for your benefit to provide a top-quality geological field experience. If you like the West and the out-of-doors, and you liked Earth Science in 9th grade, this is for you.

7. Do we have free time, and do we have any non-academic time during the day?

Yes, each evening we will have a short review session of the day's work, but from about 7 pm onward you are free.  We will swim in the evening at least four times. We will have time for tourist shopping in the towns of Keystone and Custer.

                                                                                                                            

Legion Lake                        Center Lake Beach            Angostura Reservoir Swimming Beach    

8. Can your former participants give me recommendations?

Yes, the following students from the 2007, 2008, and 2009 trips will generously answer your questions.

                   

2007 Group (graduated in 2010): Paige, Abe, Isabelle, Jane,                                             2008 Group: Andrew, Steve, Henry, Samantha, Alex, Claire

Claire, Alex, Katherine, Mary, Emmanuelle                                                                       Phillip, Gavi

In 2007, Mrs. Mary S. (mother of Katherine) 

participated in this trip and will be especially able to give parents needed information.

2010 Group: Danny, Claire S., Grace, Sarah,         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Mikayla, Claire O, Liat, Asher

2009 Group (above): Emily, Perrin, Danny, Dylan, Alex, Mason, Heather, Nel, Allison, Ashley, Anna.

Also, Stephanie R. (mother of Heather and Emily) was a trip chaperone, and will gladly provide references to parents.

9. How will we spend most of our days?

The weather in the Hills is usually dry and sunny, and every day will be spent at Study Sites. Some of them are shown in the images below:

                        

10. Do you have more pictures of where we will go?

Yes, the images below are samples from our 2007, 2008, and 2009 trips: (click on thumbnails)

 

                                               

                      

                         

 

Mr. Ertl has much more information. Contact me at Home Phone : 651-452-6494