Branson Field Laboratory

  Information for Accepted Applicants

The links below provide detailed information for students that we have accepted for our course; however, much of this information will also be useful to anyone evaluating our course prior to application.  Click on any of the topics below to read more detailed information on that topic.

If you have any questions contact:

Kristin Bennett at (573-882-6785) or via e-mail at: bennettka@missouri.edu 
Bob Bauer at (573-882-3759) or via e-mail at: bauerr@missouri.edu

Fees and Payment Schedules
 Location and Contact Information
 Travel to and From Camp
 Meals
 Medical Care
 Rules & Stuff
 Laundry Facilities
 Access to Cash
 Weather Conditions
 Physical Conditioning
 Suggested Clothing & Personal Gear
 Textbooks
 Field & Project Equipment

 

FEES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULES:

             In order to maintain your place on our camp roster, we should receive a deposit check from you by March 15th  for $100, payable to the University of Missouri.  This amount is non-refundable, but it will, of course, be applied toward payment of your fees.  Please send the deposit to Kristin Bandeko at:

Kristin Bandeko
Department of Geological Sciences
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211 . 

            Upon receiving your deposit, we will forward your deposit and application to our Registrar's Office for processing.  Sometime during early April a bill will be issued for approximately half of your remaining fees, and this amount will be due in mid April.  In late April you will receive a bill for the balance of the fees with a due date in mid May. Payment of these fees officially enrolls you in the course.

            Sometime in early May I will contact you again to verify your travel plans and to give you any last-minute information.  Again, feel free to contact Linda or me if you have questions as the enrollment process evolves. (return to the top menu)

LOCATION AND CONTACT INFORMATION: 

The Branson Field Laboratory of the MU Department of Geological Sciences is about 10 miles southwest of Lander, Wyoming in Sinks Canyon of the Wind River Mountains.  A paved road goes up Sinks Canyon to the National Forest boundary, where the road crosses a cattle guard.  The gate to the camp is about 0.7 mile beyond the cattle guard on the left (look for the sign).

 Your mailing address for the summer is:              Packages shipped by non-US Postal Service carriers                                                                            (e.g. UPS or FedEx), should be shipped to: 

        Branson Field Laboratory                                        Branson Field Laboratory
        P.O. Box 590                                                             3322 Sinks Canyon Road
        Lander, WY  82520                                                   Lander, WY  82520

                                                                                    Do not send US Postal Service mail
                                                                                    or parcels to this address; they will not be
                                                                                    delivered

 The camp telephone number will be (307) 332-1642.  The telephone is located in the laboratory, where it is generally not monitored during the day.  Plan your social calls accordingly.  We do have an answering machine for daytime messages (limited to about 30 seconds).  Emergency contacts may also be made through the MU Department of Geological Sciences (573) 882-6785.

 Cell phone connections are generally good in the field and in Lander, but they become much less reliable when you enter the canyon that contains the camp.  As a result, you may find that your cell phone does not send or receive reliably in camp.

You will have fairly fast and efficient e-mail access in camp via a satellite link, so you should be able to communicate with friends and family fairly efficiently.  We provide local wireless access for e-mail via the numerous laptop and desktop computers in the lab where you will work on your field project data. (return to the top menu)

 TRAVEL TO AND FROM LANDER:

 Students Traveling in Vans from Columbia or Kansas City area

You can ride to camp from Columbia Missouri and back in one of our vans. The camp vans will leave for Wyoming from the parking lot behind the MU Geological Sciences Building on Friday, May 30th at 8:00 a.m.  Be there by 7:30 a.m. ready to pack your gear in the vans. You will depart camp to return to Columbia on the morning of July 13th, and the vans will arrive in Columbia late in the afternoon on July 14th. We can also pick you up or drop you off, by prearrangement, at specific locations along the route in Kansas City, St. Joseph, or the Kansas City Airport (MCI). If you plan to fly into MCI on the morning of May 30th  to meet the vans, you should plan to arrive no later than later than ~9:30 a.m.  We can also drop you off at MCI on afternoon of July 14th, but you should not book a departure flight before 6:00 p.m.  If you cannot make make reservations that meet these flight arrival/departure times and must arrive the previous day (or leave the following day), there are several hotels adjacent to the airport, and we can pick you up and drop you off at the hotel.  See for instance, this Econo Lodge link: http://www.kansas-city-mci.com/mo051.html

The fee for this round-trip transportation is $200; we will provide one-way transportation for $110.  The charge includes the cost of lodging for the nights of May 30th and 31st  on the way to camp and the night of July 13th returning from camp.  It does not include food.  You should have at least $50 in cash with you to pay for meals and incidentals.  The vans will stop at fast-food gourmet restaurants such as:  McDonalds, Subway, Taco Bell etc. 

Students who arrive at the Geology Building in Columbia on Thursday May 29th, before 3:30 p.m., may store their heavy baggage overnight in the Geology Building.  If you are driving to Columbia and then riding in the vans to camp and back, you may park your vehicle in one of the campus garages for ~$8/week.  Make these arrangements before your arrival in Columbia by contacting Tammy at (573) 882-4568.  If you need accommodations in Columbia for that evening, I suggest you contact:

                                                Ms. Rita Houg
                                                Office of Residential Life
                                                8 Defoe Hall
                                                University of Missouri
                                                Columbia, MO  65211
                                                (573) 884-6500

 The Office of Residential Life provides lodging in our Virginia Avenue Residence Halls for $49.50 (single) and $27.50 (double occupancy/person) a night;   YOU MUST RESERVE THESE ACCOMMODATIONS YOURSELF.  (return to the top menu)

Students Providing Their Own Transportation

 If you plan to travel in your own car, you should not accompany the vans, because we will not have made lodging reservations for you.  Instead, plan to arrive at Camp Branson on the afternoon of Sunday, June 1st.  Registration will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the 1st.  The camp will not be open before that time, and students arriving before June 1st   will have to find food and lodging in Lander or at one of the nearby camp grounds.  Adequate parking is available at camp for private vehicles, but students are not allowed to go to the field other than in University vehicles.  If you plan to fly to Wyoming, the nearest airport to Lander is in Riverton, WY, which is 35 miles away.  If you plan to fly into Riverton, notify us well in advance and we will make arrangements to pick you up; otherwise you will have to take a taxi to camp, which will be quite expensive. (return to the top menu)

Students Flying to Camp

If you are considering flying to camp, you should also consider flying just to the Kansas City Airport and meeting our vans for the rest of the trip to camp (see Students Traveling in Vans, above).  If you want to fly all the way to Wyoming, you can fly into Riverton, Wyoming on the morning or afternoon of June 1st and depart from Riverton on the morning of July 13th. The Riverton Airport is the closest commercial airport to Lander (about a 45 to 50 minute drive to camp), and is serviced daily by Great Lakes Aviation (a United Express feeder) from Denver, CO. We can provide your transportation between the airport and camp for both your arrival and departure if you make arrangements with us in advance. In making your flight plans, we recommend that you contact a local Lander travel agent, such as Noble Travel (1-800-332-4882) or e-mail nobletravel@rmisp.com . They keep on top of all the latest news on travel to the area. We recommend that you make your travel plans as soon as possible to avoid complications. You should consider purchasing tickets that are refundable or changeable in case unforeseen events force changes in your plans. Keep in mind that airlines often overbook their flights to Riverton. To be sure you aren't bumped, allow plenty of time between your connections in Denver. Get to the gate early to check in. If you have a confirmed reservation and are on time, you deserve a seat on the flight. (return to the top menu)

 MEALS:

 We serve 20 meals a week at the camp.  To give the cook and kitchen crew a break, the dining room and kitchen are closed on Saturday night (except for the last night of camp).  Vans will take students into Lander for the evening where everything from fast food to gourmet dining is available.  Students are not allowed to use the kitchen to prepare your own meals.  Breakfast is at 6:30 (7:30 on Sunday) and dinner is at 6:00.  We can make limited accommodations for those on a vegetarian diet.  Contact Bob Bauer if you have questions about these accommodations.  During the four-day trip through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks we supply lunches and give you a partial rebate on meal expenses for you to purchase breakfasts and suppers.  Depending on your appetite, you may need extra money to supplement these meals. (return to the top menu)

 MEDICAL CARE

 We have had a good record of few accidents or serious illnesses in the 90 plus years that we have run our field course.  Lander is a medical center for western Wyoming, and has an excellent hospital and medical staff.  Health care during the summer is at the student's expense.  For your own protection you should determine whether you are covered by a family health insurance policy and what provisions it will make in case of accident or illness.  (return to the top menu)

 RULES AND STUFF:

 In consideration of other students with whom you will live, pets are prohibited.  FIREARMS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CAMP.  Fishing is permitted in the river that runs through camp (a very good trout stream), although a non-resident fishing license, which costs $70, is required (the fine for not having a license is substantially higher).  We are unable to provide meals or lodging for unofficial guests, nor can we provide camping space for visitors; there are nearby camp grounds, however.

 Our schedule is a full one.  We will be in the field six days a week, although some days are set aside for writing up projects. You will commonly spend parts of your evenings working on your projects or attending occasional lectures.  Sundays are generally free (except for an occasional evening lecture) and you will be off on July 4th. (return to the top menu)

LAUNDRY FACILITIES

Limited laundry facilities are available in camp free of charge, and we also provide laundry detergent for your use.
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ACCESS TO CASH

Students will need enough money to cover their incidental expenses during the summer (e.g., toilet articles, snacks, etc.).   Your safest and surest way of carrying and negotiating personal expense money for the summer is an ATM card (or Traveler's Checks)..  There are numerous ATM machines in Lander where you can get cash with a bank card.  (return to the top menu)

 WEATHER:

You can expect almost any kind of weather in this arid, mountainous area.  Usually the weather is chilly for the first couple weeks, and rain or snow are probable.  Early morning temperatures are commonly brisk for the first couple weeks of camp, on the order of 30-40o.  The camp is at 7000 feet and therefore cooler than the foothills where we do much of our fieldwork.  By the end of camp, temperatures in the field will be in the mid to upper 80’s and occasionally above 90o by midday.  Your wardrobe should be varied to meet these conditions.  Layers of clothing that can be removed as the day warms will be more effective than a single heavy coat.  (return to the top menu)

 PHYSICAL CONDITIONING:

Your days in the field will involve considerable hiking (commonly 1-5 miles/day) at elevations between 4500 and 8000 ft.  Most of the hiking is not in difficult terrain, but most of you will be coming from much lower elevations where breathing is easier.  We do start with projects that require minimal hiking, but you may want to consider some aerobic exercise to get in better shape prior to camp if you think you might have endurance problems.  (return to the top menu)

 SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND PERSONAL GEAR:

 Lander society is of the Levi's and cowboy boots variety, so you will have little need for anything other than field clothing.  Furthermore, your living space is limited, so you should not bring more clothing and gear than you can store under your bunk or on small shelves.  We lock the cabins during the day while you are in the field and unlock them shortly before you return, but we cannot guarantee security for items that might be "ripped off".

 1.   Boots should have good composition soles and heels, preferably vibram-type lug soles, and must be well broken in before you arrive at camp.  Boots should be in good repair, because repairs in Lander may take several days.  Consider bringing 2 pair if you have them.

 2.    Several pairs of work pants and shirts.

 3.    6-8 pairs of work socks.  A thin pair worn under a heavy pair works best.

 4.    Hat, sun screen & lip protection - the sun is fierce in the thin air of Wyoming, and a hat can help ward off severe sunburn and heat stroke.  Know your tolerance for sun exposure and use appropriate sunscreen.  You may want to bring a bandanna to protect your neck from the sun.  Sunglasses are optional but recommended.

 5.    Light-weight rain gear that can be carried in a small field pack (optional rain pants).

 6.    Sweater or sweatshirt.

 7.    Jacket or light coat.

 8.    Flashlight:  essential inasmuch as the camp is only minimally lighted.

 9.    Toilet articles, soap, towels, show shoes, etc.

 10.  Bedding.  You will be sleeping on mattresses on bunks.  You can either bring sheets, several heavy blankets, and a pillow, or you may prefer to just bring a good, cold-weather sleeping bag (note item 11).

 11.   Sleeping bag.  We will camp out on our trip to Yellowstone in June-July, and will likely encounter evening temperatures on the order of 30-40o, so you will need a warm sleeping bag for the trip.  An insulating pad is an excellent investment for prevention of cold, miserable nights, since you lose most of your heat to the ground.  If you bring a pad for camping, make sure it rolls into a compact bundle as space for gear on our trip is limited.

 12.  Watch.  We do things "by the clock" at field camp, so, in consideration of others, please bring some kind of timepiece.

13.   Some students bring their personal tents for weekend hikes.  They are always welcome, though we do have a supply of two-person tents that may be checked out.

14.   A small first aid kit that will fit in your day pack.

 15.  A roll of duct tape.  You will use it for something.
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 TEXTBOOKS:

Freeman, T., 1999, Procedures in Field Geology. Blackwell Science, 95p
Stow, D.A.V., 2005, Sedimentary Rocks in the Field: A Color Guide, Academic Press, 320p.
We also provide a hardcover field notebook for each student.

 The books are provided by the camp and are included in your pre-paid course fees.
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FIELD & PROJECT EQUIPMENT:

The following equipment is necessary (unless noted as optional ):  (Many of these items are not available in Lander, so be sure to bring them with you.)

1.    Rock hammer.  I like a fairly heavy hammer with a pick head for digging.

2.    Hand lens (10X).  Recommended (if you don't yet have a suitable lens):  B & L Hastings triple (10X), but less expensive models are sufficient.

 3.   Small pack for carrying rain jacket, lunch, rock samples, etc., in the field.

 4.   Canteen(s) with a total capacity of at least 2 quarts.  You are better off with canteens you can carry on a belt or in your pack (rather than over your shoulder)

 5.    Pocket knife.

 6.    An extra belt (optional) to carry a Brunton compass (we provide), canteen, hammer etc.

 7.    Rapidograph pens or Staedtler drawing pens or equivalent (at least size 0 [=0.35mm] and 1 [=0.50mm]) and drafting ink.  We recommend a pen with removable ink (as compared to a disposable drafting pen), because ink may leak during your travel from home (low elevation, high air pressure?) to camp (high elevation, low air pressure); however the choice is yours.  In any case, bring pens with ink that will not run or smear if it gets wet. Your least expensive option is the Staedtler Techset Pro Pen set .

 8.    Miscellaneous drafting materials (triangles, small 360o protractor, ruler marked in 0.1 inch increments, etc.).

 9.    Drawing pencils (3H for taking field notes and #2 1/2 or 3 with erasers).

10.   A selection of colored pencils is required for coloring maps, cross-sections, and the like.  A standard box of 12 to 24 colors will suffice.

11.  Tablet or pack of graph paper graduated in 0.1 inch increments.

12.  A USB pen drive with at least a 512Mb capacity

13.  Retractable steel tape marked in meters, at least 2 meter length (Lufken brand tapes are available in meters).

43.  Safety glasses or goggles (mandatory for eye safety when splitting rocks, etc.)

15.  Map board - two 12”x15” (30.5 cm x 38 cm) pieces of sturdy masonite, or dense particle board hinged along their long dimension with strong tape - see attached diagram for details of assembly.  A strap attached to the board to carry it over your shoulder is handy, but optional.  Click here to see a sketch of a typical map board design.

16.  Drafting tape or stickers to hold paper in place.

17.  A glue stick for mounting paper.

18.  Camera (optional, but you’ll want one)

19.  Calculator with trig functions

 20.  Plastic sandwich boxes to keep lunch sandwiches from getting crushed in your pack (optional).

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