Dinosaur Digs
For Families and Teachers

The Children’s Museum mission is to create extraordinary learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. Travel with Children’s Museum’s experts and discover the inspiration behind Dinosphere: Now You’re in Their World and have an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experience of your own.

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Dig FAQ

2012 Family Dinosaur Digs

Ruth Mason Quarry Day Dig
Faith, South Dakota
Join us for family dinosaur digging fun at the Ruth Mason Quarry in Faith, South Dakota. Under the direction of museum paleontologists, your family can dig for dinosaur bones and ready them for their journey to The Children’s Museum Paleo Prep Lab for preparation and research.

Dig Time: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Ages: For families with children ages 8 and up.
Orientation Date: June 2, 2011
*Fees are per person per day and include lunch at the ranch and transportation to and from the hotel to the dig site. Fee does not include lodging or transportation to and from South Dakota.

Digging in the dirt for dinosaurs is hard, dirty work. The average high is 90° F. Participants must be able to :

• Sit, kneel, or stand for up to 8 hours while working in hot, arid conditions.
• Traverse uneven terrain. Optional hikes require participants to walk on uneven terrain for up to 2 miles.
• Provide adequate medical information and a written clearance from a physician to participate in the dig. All medical releases must be current, signed, and returned by June 4, 2011.
  

Faith is approximately 3½ hours northeast of Rapid City, S.D. You will need to arrange your own transportation to and from Faith and make your own reservations at the Prairie Vista Inn in Faith, S.D. The number is 605-967-2343. Please state that you are with The Children’s Museum. Many families attend a dig and make a vacation out of it. Here are some sites that are highly recommended by the museum:

• Badlands National Park
• Mount Rushmore National Park
• Wind Cave National Park
• Mammoth Site, Hill City
• Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
• Custer State Park

For more information on the Family Dinorsaur Dig, contact Nicole Schoville at 317-334-3836 or nicoles@childrensmuseum.org. To see what a day at the family dig looks like, visit blog.childrensmuseum.org

*Digging at the site is weather dependent and if a dig day is canceled due to rain, refunds will not be given. Alternative programming will be provided in the event of a cancellation due to rain.

Dinosaur Dig – Just for Adults
Dinosaur fossils aren’t just for kids! Join museum staff the Ruth Mason Quarry—the largest fossil bed of duck-billed dinosaurs in the world to dig fossils for the museum’s collection. Dig for five full days with other dino enthusiasts. Participants must 21 or older.
Dates: Monday – Saturday, July 5-11, 2012
Special Orientation: June 2, 2012
Fee: $695 per person (based on double occupancy)$895 per person (based on single occupancy); Fees include lodging, transportation in South Dakota and lunch during dig.

Fees do not include transportation cost to South Dakota. Hotel cost, lunches on the days out at the digs site are included. While in South Dakota transportation will be provided by museum staff. All participants on the dig must be in good health and able to walk moderate distances, kneel or sit for long period of time and tolerate high temperatures. All participants must provide adequate medical information and a written clearance from a physician to participate in the digs. All medical releases must be current, signed, and returned by June 2, 2012. Digging at the site is weather dependent and if a dig day is canceled due to rain, refunds will not be given. Alternative programming will be provided in the event of a cancellation due to rain.

Registration and Full Payment Deadline: May 18, 2012

For more information contact Becky Wolfe at (317) 334-4618 or beckyw@childrensmuseum.org

To register contact Valerie Wells at (317) 334-3317, $100 non-refundable down payment is required at the time of registration.

Coming in 2013 – Dinosaur Science for Teachers!
Join museum staff for a dinosaur expedition for teachers and do the science that normally you only read about in your textbooks. Spend two days collecting fossils for The Children’s Museum at the Ruth Mason Quarry—the largest fossil bed of duck-billed dinosaurs in the world. Participants will visit the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research and other sites.
Teachers: Grades K–8
Dates: July, 2013
Fees: Institute fees will be announced Fall, 2012.
Institute Highlights:

• Two days of collecting fossils for The Children’s Museum at the Ruth Mason Quarry – the largest fossil bed of duck-billed dinosaurs in the world.
• Learn more about geology on a visit to The Badlands National Monument and The Journey Museum.
• Visit the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research to learn about dinosaurs and fossil preparation.
• Visit the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD and watch an active paleontology dig.