Listed below are some of the options you can select from for either your entire field trip or as a supplement to other activities you may be planning. Programs can be either river based or land based, subject to time of year, water flows, weather, and age of group . You can mix and match any of the modes of travel, program activity types, instructors, and specific program themes.

Research or Service Project

Research: This could be either a rock art or site documentation/excavation program. You will be contributing to significant archaeological research and a report prepared by the trip expert will be written. Price includes food, number of days (subject to project), expert, group equipment

Service: This could be trail building, site stabilization, or painting signs. You will be giving back to the public lands and the agency that manages them. Trip includes food, expert, group equipment, number of days subject to project

Sample Theme: Basecamp Service or Research Project at Chaco Canyon: During your time you could build a trail, construct a small contact station, or paint signs for the Park Service. Other projects have included work in Chaco Canyon; including artifact transects, and stabilization of the walls of ruins. You can camp in the campground (which has flush toilets and running water) OR in a site nearby. Food is prepared in a field kitchen by staff.

Sample Theme: Basecamp Excavating or Documenting an Archaeological Site- In the past participants have excavated McIntyre Rockshelter, Old Man Cave, and other sites. Documentation of sites has been conducted in Butler Wash and other locations. It includes mapping, drawing, photographing, and recording archaeological site for the land management agency on which it is located. These are often ongoing projects that require a final report to be written by the trip expert. Participants will receive a copy of the report when it is complete. Camping is at a primitive basecamp with a "field kitchen", food cooked by staff. We will determine what is possible when you call.

Natural and Human History Trip

Content could be archaeology, primitive living skills, backpacking, or natural history. It can be river or land based. It will be led by an expert who helps you understand the incredible landscape you are traveling through. It includes food, expert, group equipment, and transportation.

Sample Theme: Motel Based Archaeology of the Southwest-This program travels by fifteen passenger van to various important archaeological sites including Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Ute Tribal Park, Aztec ruins, and Salmon ruins. It could include some hiking or very little and be led by one of several well-known archaeologists such as Florence Lister. All nights could be camping if a lower price is desired.

Sample Theme: Backpacking in a Canyon-This program could be in a variety of locations from Grand Gulch (3 days minimum), to Mancos Mesa (4 days minimum), or Dark Canyon (5 days minimum). Location and time of year will determine length. Common themes include geology, natural history, or archaeology. Camping is the only option. Food, group gear, and water are carried by all participants.

Sample Theme: River Based Archaeology, Geology, and Rock Art on the San Juan River-This program has four options. The first option is the full 26 miles between Bluff and Mexican Hat. This stretch contains some of the most spectacular rock art and ruins anywhere in the Southwest. The second option is six miles on the river to see most of the rock art and ruins, and be taken out by jeep at Comb Wash . This is usually determined by how high the water is. The third option is the 60 miles between Mexican Hat and Clay Hills, floating through the twisting, 1800 foot deep goosenecks of the lower San Juan River canyon. The geology is spectacular and there are several hiking options---one to the rim, and one to a beautiful pool. The fourth option is combining options one and three for a total of 86 miles. All four are incredible!

Cultural Study Tour

This trip explores the Ute, Hopi, and/or Navajo people. Both a Native American and someone who has lived and worked with Native people will lead it. We often live with families or stay in a community. We often perform service work during these trips such as hauling water, chopping wood for elderly people, or painting a community center. Learning arts and crafts skills (weaving, pottery making or basket making) can also be included.

Sample Theme: Basecamp or Motel based Living the Navajo Way-This cultural program involves living in a hogan with a family and learning about their culture. Students would be involved with a family in daily chores like chopping wood, hauling water, greeting the sun, and cooking. Hogans are made of logs or mud, have a dirt floor, and you would be sleeping in a sleeping bag.