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Spend two days in the Hell Creek badlands: one day excavating real vertebrate fossils and a second day learning lab prep and molding techniques. This hands-on seminar with PaleoAdventures offers authentic field science under experienced guidance.
Spend two days in the Hell Creek badlands: one day excavating real vertebrate fossils and a second day learning lab prep and molding techniques. This hands-on seminar with PaleoAdventures offers authentic field science under experienced guidance.
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Operated by Paleo Adventures · Belle Fourche, South Dakota
On the eastern edge of the Hell Creek Formation in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the Fossil Prep Lab Spring Seminar stitches a two-day dive into dinosaur science. Meet at the Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum, 11324 US Highway 212,Belle Fourche, SD, then spend one day in the field excavating vertebrate remains from badlands outcrops and a second day inside the PaleoAdventures fossil lab learning preparation, molding, and research techniques. The fieldwork unfolds across exposed Cretaceous strata of the Hell Creek Formation - layered sandstone, mudstone, and fossiliferous concretions that preserve late Cretaceous ecosystems. You'll learn excavation methods: plaster jacketing, matrix removal, and on-site documentation while moving carefully across scrub prairie and eroded badlands benches. Dig sites are active science locations, not staged displays; the program emphasizes authentic discovery under Walter W. Stein, a long-time vertebrate fossil hunter whose work helped recognize Dakotaraptor steini in 2016. Back at the lab, the seminar pivots to hands-on preparation. Instructors cover lab safety, mechanical and chemical prep techniques, gluing and consolidation, molding and casting, and the record-keeping essential to publishable research. Tools and materials are supplied; the course also shows how to distinguish bone from concretion, identify common fossil types, and create museum-quality casts. This program balances hard field work with instruction for participants 12 and up. Expect long hours, physical digging, sun exposure, and the patience required for delicate specimens - conditions that mirror professional paleontology. All landowner fees, field tools, and lab equipment are included; meals and lodging are not. The nearest full services and meeting point are in Belle Fourche, and emergency medical facilities are a two-hour drive, so bring personal medical preparations and be candid about physical limitations. Why book it? For curious travelers this seminar offers a rare chance to touch the fossil record and learn the backstage of museum displays. It's an immersive pairing of landscape and laboratory where geology, field technique, and curation intersect. Whether you're a teen with a pre-med interest, a teacher seeking curriculum experiences, or an adult looking for a rigorous outdoor science adventure, this two-day seminar turns the Hell Creek badlands into both classroom and archive. Practical notes: bring sturdy boots, sun protection, a refillable water bottle, layered clothing, and a small field notebook. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and participants who damage fossils will be removed without refund. Check weather contingencies and contact the museum for seasonal availability. Sessions are led from the Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum basecamp and emphasize real research outcomes; participants sometimes contribute to specimen catalogs or casts that travel to exhibits. Bring patience, sunscreen, and curiosity - this is field science, not a photo-op, and the rewards are scientific and unforgettable.
challenging.
2 days (two full days).
Participants should be in good physical condition, able to walk uneven terrain, kneel and dig for extended periods, and tolerate sun and heat.
Minimum age is 12; all participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All landowner fees, field tools, and use of lab materials and equipment are included; lodging and meals are not.
No—trainings on excavation technique and lab preparation are provided for beginners and intermediates.
Bring sturdy boots, layered clothing, sun protection, a refillable water bottle, snacks, and any personal medications.
Light rain usually won’t cancel fieldwork; serious inclement weather may prompt rescheduling or refund according to the operator's policy.
Specimen ownership follows landowner and museum rules; participants may assist with collection and preparation but final custody and documentation follow scientific protocols.
The Hell Creek Formation records the final chapter of the Cretaceous; Walter W. Stein has over 25 years of vertebrate fossil work and was honored in the naming of Dakotaraptor steini in 2016.
Follow guides' instructions and landowner rules; do not remove or damage in-place fossils and practice Leave No Trace to protect fragile outcrops.
Paleo Adventures is a field-based paleontology outfitter based in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. The organization offers hands-on fossil hunting trips on private ranches and in the Hell Creek Badlands. Programs include Kids Dig, two-day and four-day Explorers Tours, the 1st Annual Dino Kids Camp (June 20th - 22nd), and four-day Adventure Tours including Tooth Draw and Tooth Draw West. Experiences combine guided excavation, on-site instruction, and laboratory fossil preparation so participants learn collection and preparation techniques. Guides include experienced fossil hunters and paleontologists who supervise excavations on remote ranch sites. Several tours are led by Walter W. Stein, a seasoned fossil hunter noted within trip descriptions and credited with decades of fieldwork and a dinosaur named in his honor. Private land access allows extended digs across multiple days, maximizing discovery potential while maintaining safety and respect for ranch properties. Family-focused options provide age-appropriate instruction and museum tour opportunities for children. Kids Dig and the Dino Kids Camp emphasize hands-on discovery, in-field education, and supervised lab time where young participants prepare their finds for transport. The two-day and four-day Explorers Tours concentrate on targeted excavation at single sites to improve the likelihood of meaningful discoveries. Paleo Adventures emphasizes responsible collecting practices, on-site safety, and educational outcomes. Operating from Belle Fourche, the company connects visitors to South Dakota’s rich paleontological landscape through immersive fieldwork, expert guidance, and practical fossil preparation. Bookings are organized by trip type and date, with clear pre-trip information and guidance provided to participants for travel, safety, and logistics.
Book with Paleo Adventures