Welcome to Paleontology Field School - Important Information

 Welcome to Paleontology Field School 2023!  

Ranger Creek Ranch/ Craddock Ranch - Seymour, Texas



Student Roster: 14 Students 9 (F) / 5 (M)

Vee Atkinson

Baker Croyle

Aiden Cunningham

Ellie Elmore

Jaycie Fazande

Evan Garibay

Ariana Luk

Sophia O’Heron

India Riley-Eames

Federico Sanchez

Claire Thacker

Katie Vojvodic

Ira Williams

Rose Yard


Instructors

Anthony Salem

Tiffney Trimble

Chris Flis (WMNH)

Holly Simon (WMNH)

Please complete prior to the trip:

ALL medications need to be submitted by (3/10/23) in a ziplock bag with signed Medication Dispensing form. We will not be bringing any medications from Post Oak. Please bring new prescription medications for the duration of the trip. We carry all OTC medications from the list. Make sure you are signed off on the list of OTCs before the beginning of the trip. (Via Magnus).

Listed is a basic pack list, you won’t need any specialized gear as the Whiteside Museum will supply all the tools we need for excavation. There are few shopping opportunities in town limited to an IGA grocery, a Family Dollar, a small pharmacy, hometown hardware store and a seasonal bait shop.


Please use duffels rather than hard suitcases – space is very limited in the van. We will put as much as possible under the seats. 


Please bring enough clothing for 8 days. All clothing must conform with POHS appearance policy. (There is a washer and dryer available in each residence)



Paleo Packing List


  • Sturdy ankle high shoes – essential!  Please make sure they are closed-toed! These can be heavy sneakers or hiking shoes

  • Medication (personal) 

  • Wide Brimmed Hat

  • 36+ SPF Sunscreen

  • Insect repellant

  • Sunglasses

  • Water bottle

  • Long pants – You will need to wear these everyday! (Hiking pants are recommended)

  • Selection of shirts - both long and short sleeves

  • Lodge clothes to hang out in and go to dinner in

  • Jacket  that you don’t mind getting dirt on for chilly mornings (40°- 45°F)

  • Flashlight

  • Shoes for the hotel (Flip Flops, tennis shoes, Crocs or the like) 

  • Backpack, fanny pack or field bag

  • Cash for incidentals 

  • Gloves - If you have a pair you like, great, but there are always some in the field kit.

  • Knee pads or garden kneeling pads – available at Home Depot

  • Personal Toiletries

  • Clean socks for eight days

  • Underwear – enough for eight days

  • Pajamas

  • Dirty clothes bag

  • Poncho

  • Pencils and pens

  • Permian Field Guide (provided)

  • Rite-In-The-Rain notebook (provided)

  • Paleo Hoodie (provided)



Other Information…


The Museum will provide a first aid kit that has a little more than a basic kit plus a sting/bite kit and a snake bite kit.  If you know you will need something in particular (ie. an epipen or inhaler) please let us know! We want to make sure you are safe! Also is anyone allergic to stings- bees, wasps, scorpions etc? Or have any food allergies or dietary restrictions?  We want to know this information in advance. 


Generally, late March is a nice time of year to be outside in Texas. Average high temperatures should range from 67-76°F and average low temperatures should range from 40-49°F. Be advised, though, this is Texas, and we will be working outdoors, so be prepared for any weather! 


*Be aware that last year in 2022 the temperatures ranged from low 40°s in the mornings to low 90 °s at high noon and dehydration can set-in quickly .


THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME


All electronic devices, including any cell phone 

(Guides will have personal cell phones, walkie-talkies, and school-issued laptop for blogs/communication/emergencies)

● Jewelry and accessories

● Bedding




Emergency Contact Information:


Dr. Anthony Salem - tonysalem@postoakschool.org(checking emails intermittently)

Ms. Tiffney Trimble – tiffneytrimble@postoakschool.org (checking emails intermittently)


Debbie Henderson - MDC Adminstrator, 281-822-8035

Debbiehenderson@postoakschool.org

After hours for emergency ONLY: 713-416-3518

Kelly Vaughn - Post Oak CFO, 281-822-8058

Kellyvaughn@postoakschool.org

After hours for emergency ONLY: 636-328-2028



Itinerary for Field experiences


First Day (Mar 22) 

8:00 - Meet at Post Oak HS, load vehicles for trip

9:00 - Depart POHS 

12:00 - Lunch in Mexia, TX

17:00 - Arrive in Seymour at Ranger Creek Ranch 

18:00 – Dinner  


Daily schedule (3/23-3/28)

8:00- Breakfast at ranch / Pack water, snacks and lunch

8:30- Depart for Whiteside Museum

9:00- Meet at Whiteside Museum of Natural History 

9:10 - Depart WMNH

9:30 -16:00 Class and field exercises (lunch in the field)

16:15 - Return from field

17:30 - Daily de-brief, blog entry

18:30 - Dinner at ranch (some evenings we will have dinner w/Chris and Holly from WMNH)

19:30-22:00 - Evening fun! Some nights we’ll play games or tell stories, do night hikes, or whatever we feel like doing!


Last Day (3/29)

8:00 - Breakfast

9:00 - Depart Seymour for Houston

12:00 - Lunch

17:00 - Arrive POHS, unload vehicles



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