Field Trip: Fossil Frontiers of New England

From the historic halls of Yale Peabody Museum to the collections at Beneski Museum of Natural History, and from iconic in-situ tracksites like Dinosaur State Park to the world-renowned American Museum of Natural History, this immersive experience connects participants to the people, places, and discoveries that shaped dinosaur science in North America. 

Participants will engage with historic collections, explore dinosaur tracks preserved exactly where they were made, and gain insight into both early discoveries and modern paleontological research which links bones, tracks, and landscapes into a deeper understanding of prehistoric life. 

This trip will be led by Erin LaCount and is designed as a small-group, high-engagement experience for adult learners and enthusiasts. 

Trip is limited to 10–13 participants—register early to secure your spot. 

Date/Time: October 1 through October 6 

STUDY LEADERS 

Erin LaCount began visiting Dinosaur Ridge as a young child with her grandparents in the early 1990s, and began working with us in 2002. Erin is the Education Programs Director and oversees projects in exhibits, tours, trips, and more! In 2022 with Geological Society of America and 2024 with the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Erin published a new timeline on the historic discoveries of the Jurassic fossils found at Dinosaur Ridge in 1876 and will be bringing her Arthur Lakes expertise along for the ride! 

COST 

Cost: $1,950 non-member, $1,850 member 

Includes:  

• Hotel 

• In-state transportation between sites 

• Museum/program costs 

• Dinner Friday and Sunday nights 

• Trip Guide 

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION 

Please arrange your flights to be in New Haven on October 1 to check into the hotel. The sites we will visit and tour are: 

• Yale Peabody Museum, Archives, and Collections 

• Amherst Beneski Museum of Natural History and Collections 

• Easthampton Dinosaur Tracksite (in situ) 

• Dinosaur State Park 

• American Museum of Natural History 

PHYSICAL EXERTION LEVEL/ACCESSIBILITY 

We will finalize these details as we confirm with the locations about our final activities and guided portions vs. self-guided. All locations are accessible, and the outdoor trail at the Easthampton Dinosaur Tracksite is accessible by a short path slightly downhill to the exposure. Comfortable walking shoes or other similar footwear will work just fine. This information will be updated if locations or program needs change. 

TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY
This New England trip is contingent on a minimum of 8 registered participants and will be cancelled by September 1st if the minimum is not met. 

• If the trip is cancelled by Dinosaur Ridge, participants will receive a full refund of program fees paid. 

• All cancellations must be received in writing. 

• Cancellations received 90 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a full refund. 

• Cancellations received 60 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for an 80% refund. 

• Cancellations received 30 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a 50% refund of program fees. 

• Cancellations received 15 calendar days or less prior to departure are assessed a cancellation fee of 100% of the program fees. You may transfer your registration to another attendee or forfeit your payment.