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Camp
General Information
Welcome to Texas Archeological Society Field School! Whether you are a TAS veteran, or this is your first field school, the following information is provided to assist you in preparing for a week of fun.
We recommend you arrive Friday to set up your camp at the TAS Field School campground or check into your hotel or RV park. Field and lab work begins on Saturday morning and will often wrap up on Friday. The final Saturday involves finalizing any remaining archeological tasks and pitching in to pack up our camp and site areas. Crew assignments and crew chief information will be posted near the registration area. The first day of field school for all new-comers will include an orientation. Although we are scheduled to start at 7:00 AM, the first Saturday can be best described as organized chaos, as we gather together to find our crews, organize car-pools to field assignments, and begin the first day.
The center of activities near the campground is where the meals and programs will be held, and where the registration table will be located. Registration is where you need to check-in, find your crew assignments, collect your name tags, t-shirts (if you purchased at the time of registration), and area maps and directions to your field or lab assignment. A packet of information will be provided concerning the campground, including the weekly Schedule of Events, and recommendations on where to eat, shop and play in the nearby community. The weekly Schedule of Events will be posted in the registration area as well.
What to Expect in Camp
The following page contains general information about the TAS field school campground, camp rules, and suggestions to make your week a success. For specific details related to this year’s field school please visit the current year’s field school page.
The cook’s trailer, dining area and program area will be located near camp. You may prepare your own meals, or our wonderful cooks will be serving breakfast and supper all week for paying customers. See the registration form to sign up for those meals. Participants are responsible for their own lunch.
Tent and campers (including pop ups) without generators are welcome in the TAS campground. Trees are usually in short supply so consider a shade shelter for the afternoons. Portable toilets will be scattered throughout the campground and adjacent to the main excavation area. TAS will also ensure that showers (often cold water only) are provided for field school participants. A trash container will be provided at camp for your use, so bag your trash and use the dumpster. Smoking will not be allowed inside enclosed buildings including the portable toilets. Ice will be available for purchase in camp.
On a typical day at field school campers will be woken up at 5:00 am. Breakfast (for those that purchased it) will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 am. Everyone leaves for the site(s) by 7:00 am, car-pooling as much as possible. Bring a snack and water bottle. Crews leave the site to head back to camp at 1:00 pm. Often, afternoon activities are scheduled for 3:00pm and then dinner is served for those eating at camp between 5:30-6:30 pm. The early evening programs typically begin at 7:00pm with a main program that may begin at 8:30 or 9:00 pm to wait for darkness to view slides. Curfew is at 11:00 pm.
Security is our responsibility. Comply with directions of the Camp Boss and leave the entrance gate as you found it.
Camp and Field Rules
You will be expected to adhere to the following:
- No firearms or hunting.
- No pets.
- No motorized trail bikes.
- No campfires. Cooking should be done on camp stove or fire-containing grill.
- No individual septic or soakage pits.
- Keep your campsite and surrounding area clean and free of trash. Bring an adequate supply of heavy-duty trash bags and take filled bags to the designated disposal area. Do not leave food sitting around for animals.
- Curfew for the camp area is 11:00 PM. After 11, singing and other such loud activities will be confined to the established party area.
- Parents or sponsors will be responsible for minors whenever the minors are not participating in an established TAS Field School program. Children under the age of 7 must be under adult supervision at all times.
- No illegal drugs as defined by law on the TAS campsite, fieldwork areas, or other property.
- No use of restricted buildings as posted by TAS.
- Instances of sexual harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal and forfeiture of registration fees.
Please observe any special parking notices and drive slowly in the campground. The Camp Boss will advise you of any additional locations or problems with parking dependent on the weather.
Recommended Equipment for Camp
You will really wish that you hadn't forgotten to pack the following:
- Tent, shelter and shade
- Cot, mattress and sleeping bag
- Flashlight & batteries
- Lawn or camp chairs (one at camp, one at dining area)
- Cooler/ice chest
- Drinking cup, utensils, etc.
- Tray to carry meals
- Water jug
- Portable table
- Trash bags
- Raincoat or poncho
- Light jacket
- Comfortable clothing and shoes that will get dirty!!
- Personal & housekeeping items
- First aid kit with tweezers to remove cactus
- Insect repellant & sunscreen
- Bathing suit and towel
- Shower shoes
Meals
The Society is pleased to offer breakfast and dinner for purchase to those attending its Field Schools. To give you an idea of what is served at TAS breakfasts and dinners, here are some typical offerings.
Breakfast generally consists of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and/or ham, biscuits w/gravy, french toast or waffles, and hash browns or cheese potatoes. Also for offer in the morning: various muffins, cereals, bagels, fresh fruit, granola bars, condiments such as hot sauce, butter, jelly, syrup, and cream cheese. Drinks include coffee, assorted juices, milk, tea, and hot chocolate.
A sample of dinner offerings throughout the week include chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans, chicken tenders, meatloaf, pot roast with potatoes and carrots, chicken and beef fajitas with sautéed onions and bell peppers, refried beans, and rice, barbeque beef, chicken, and sausage with coleslaw and potato salad, spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread, corn, enchiladas with pinto beans and rice. A green salad and variety of condiments and vegetable sides and rolls or tortillas are offered each evening. Dessert choices are also offered for those with a sweet tooth! Drinks include iced tea, lemonade, and water.
