A brief history of summer field camp: In the summer of 2024, Dr. Meert concluded his role as field camp coordinator and instructor after more than two decades of dedicated teaching. Back in the early 2000s, the University of Florida (UF) was contemplating discontinuing its field camp program. In response, Dr. Jim Vogl, Dr. Andy Zimmerman, and Dr. Meert joined forces to preserve this valuable tradition. None of them were familiar with the New Mexico field area at the time, so they found themselves only slightly ahead of the students in mapping and measuring during that first year. After that initial experience, Dr. Meert and Dr. Vogl took on the responsibility of leading the field camp course. Dr. Meert accompanied the students on the first four projects, while Dr. Vogl joined later for the “Rattlesnake Gulch” project and the two-week extension.
The Austing Haus, the original base of operations, underwent significant changes after the passing of Paul Austing, and was eventually sold to a private company that intended to use it for housing Ski Valley employees during the summer. As a result, the team relocated their base to Fort Burgwin, a facility owned by Southern Methodist University, located along the high road to Taos.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Vogl and Dr. Meert adapted by creating a virtual field camp experience for their students. Field camp directors across the U.S. collaborated and experimented with virtual projects, sharing ideas through the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). Dr. Meert developed a virtual mapping project centered around Ghost Ranch, which received an ‘exemplary award’ from NAGT. In the second year of the pandemic, conditions improved slightly, allowing for a hybrid approach that combined virtual and physical field camp experiences, though not in New Mexico. Dr. Vogl took the students to the Appalachians, while Dr. Meert completed the course with a trip to northern Michigan.
Additionally, Dr. Vogl and Dr. Meert restructured the course sequence, teaching Field Methods in the fall and Structural Geology in the spring, followed by summer field camp. This adjustment provided students with a seamless, year-long learning experience.
Over the past 20 plus years, Drs. Meert and Vogl have been dedicated to maintaining and improving the field camp experience. They could not accomplish this monumental task without help, however. The office staff has been instrumental in coordinating with Drs. Meert and Vogl on the planning and execution of field camp, which begins almost immediately after the summer session ends. In addition, the work of our teaching assistants over the years has been exemplary. Many of the TA’s were alumni of our field camp and those who were not alumni were equally dedicated. The hard work (literally day and night) of all involved made the experience a successful and memorable experience for our majors. So, thank you to every TA who worked with us to create a memorable experience for our students. We also want to acknowledge the financial and moral support from our advisory board and alumni, who helped us raise money for vans, field equipment, and student scholarships. This support has been critical for maintaining field programs in the department. So, thank you all for your unwavering enthusiasm and support.
Some thoughts from Joe: Teaching field camp has been the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It demanded patience, perseverance, joy, and a healthy dose of humor. Every group of students brought its own challenges and unique skills, requiring Jim and me to constantly adapt—year by year, month by month, day by day, and even hour by hour. Field camp isn’t just a class; it’s a comprehensive, immersive experience. I once vowed that I would retire when I could no longer keep up with the group. Unfortunately, that moment never arrived, despite age relentlessly reminding me of its presence. So, by the summer of 2024, I knew it was time to accept that my journey had reached its end.
As an alumnus of the UF field camp (1982 with instructors Lindquist and young Mike Perfit), I know that I have served longer than any field camp instructor at UF. I am proud and happy that Dr. Vogl will become the longest serving field camp instructor next summer. His dedication to the course and the students is laudable. To the students, I loved each one of you. You shaped me as I (hopefully) molded you. Each one of you is part of a unique cohort who survived the experience. Whether you realize it or not, you matured during field camp and as Jim and I like to say at completion of field camp, “Now, you can call yourself a real geologist”. Thanks to all of you and to the amazing TA’s, alumni supporters, and dedicated office staff who helped make field camp a remarkable experience. I will miss the adventures, and I will miss interacting and learning along with you.
