Field Experiences at the Jackson School

December 15, 2025

Fieldwork has long been a cornerstone of a Jackson School education. It takes learning beyond the classroom, giving students hands-on opportunities to apply concepts, build confidence, and solve real-world problems in geoscience settings. 

Last year, the Jackson School led 61 field excursions, including GEO 660A and GEO 660B, the Hydrogeology Field Course, and the Marine Geology and Geophysics Field Course. These experiences range from single-day trips to multi-week immersive courses such as GEO 660, which enrolled 84 students this past May. Each trip requires careful planning, dedicated faculty, and resources that keep students safe, supported, and fully engaged. 

Field learning involves a wide range of expenses. A student’s meals in the field average $17 per day. Shared lodging during multi-day trips is typically around $120 per night, and campgrounds can cost $416 for a group. Specialized equipment such as generators for Hydro or research vessel rentals for MG&G can add around $1,000 per trip. And field vehicles travel more than 6,000 miles in a single spring season. These elements all contribute to the high-quality, hands-on experiences that define our programs. 

We are grateful for the many alumni and friends whose support helps keep field learning strong, accessible, and transformative for every student. 

In Students’ Words 

“Hydro Field Camp gave me the opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom to real hydrogeological problems. It provided experience that will make me a stronger candidate for graduate school and the job market.” 
— Finley Davis, B.S. ’26 

“Field camp accelerated my education and gave me memories I’ll look back on for years—beautiful scenery, great friends, and plenty of adventure.” 
— Aidan Abrenica, B.S. ’26