Fossil Camp is a brand new summer camp for students in grades 3-5 who are interested in learning all about fossils. Interactive lessons, fossils, guided hike, arts & crafts, much more! Fossil Camp offers an exciting introduction to ancient life by examining real fossils, searching for rocks and minerals, and much more! Each day campers will be introduced to a new topic, meet real paleontologists, and explore the outdoors for fossils yet to be discovered.
Fossil Camp Daily Topics
Day 1: Introduction to Fossils
Campers will:
- Learn about fossils through hands-on exploration
- 3D Printing
Day 2: Introduction to Geology
Campers will:
- Learn how fossils and geology intersect
Day 3: Paleontology
Campers will:
- Learn the basics of paleontology with an expert
Day 4: ALMNH Collections
Campers will:
- Learn how fossils are collected, analyzed, and prepped for exhibits
Day 5: Fossil Trip
Campers will:
- Travel to Shark Tooth Creek to dig for fossils with a real paleontologist
Dates / Times
Fossil Summer Camp will be held June 6-10 from 8 AM until 4:30 PM at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
Cost
The cost for this program is $175 for UA Museums members and $200 for non-members.
Given University of Alabama policy, registrations for our JuniorNaturalist, Art-in-Nature, Fossil, and Bug Camps must be done online through the Alabama Youth Programs website and will include an additional UA administrative fee that does not go to the museum.
How to Register
Given University of Alabama policy, registrations for our Junior Naturalist, Art-in-Nature, Fossil, and Bug Camps must be done online through the Alabama Youth Programs website and will include an additional UA administrative fee that does not go to the museum.
For questions, contact Joyia Davis at joyia.davis@ua.edu or 205-348-6383.
Location
Fossil Summer Camp Camp will be located at the Alabama Museum of Natural History (Smith Hall, The University of Alabama).
Directions
From Birmingham: Take Interstate 20/59 S to Tuscaloosa exit 73, McFarland Blvd. Head West on McFarland Blvd toward the University of Alabama. Exit right onto University Blvd. Follow University Blvd to Hackberry Lane. Make a right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall (yellow brick building).
From Montgomery: Take Hwy 82 W to Tuscaloosa. Exit right onto University Blvd. Follow University Blvd to Hackberry Lane. Make a right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall (yellow brick building).
Parking
The map below shows the closest free and paid parking areas (VW Beetles) on the UA campus to Smith Hall (ALMNH logo) that can be used by museum visitors. There are five dedicated visitor parking spaces in the lot behind Smith Hall that can be accessed from Hackberry Drive. Upon arrival, once you pay for admission, you will receive a parking pass receipt that will entitle you to free parking in our museum visitor parking spaces. In addition, there is a parking deck located at Campus Drive and Hackberry Lane. The cost for visitor parking in the deck is $1 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour. To reach the parking deck, take Hackberry Lane to Campus Drive East, and the parking deck is on the right.
Public Transportation
The Tuscaloosa Trolley runs from the city’s downtown parking deck to campus.
Visit the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority website to find the downtown deck and a map of the trolley’s University Shuttle Route.
Refunds and Cancellations
In the event of a cancellation on the part of the museum, either (1) a transfer of previously paid registration to an alternate day or (2) a full refund will be offered.
In the event of a trip cancellation on the part of the registrant, participants will be either (1) refunded 50% of their registration fee up to three business days prior to the program or (2) a transfer of previously paid registration to an alternate program day. no refunds will be offered less than three business days before the reserved program.
For questions, contact Joyia Davis at joyia.davis@ua.edu or 205-348-6383.