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Upcoming Field Trips June 2018Jim Marburger and Charles Wooldridge are working on the details of a camping field trip to occur in June. Depending on where members indicate what they would like to collect or places they would like to visit, the campground will be Alexandria State Recreation Area, Rock Creek Station, or Steele City Campground. The camp base will be determined by the proximity to most of the collection/visitation sites. Camping at Alexandria requires a State Park Permit. The annual permit costs $31; daily permit costs $6. I believe there is also a camping fee, but I haven’t located it on the state website yet. If you choose to fish, you will need to purchase a fishing license, too. Camping at Rock Creek Station requires a State Park Permit. The annual permit costs $31; daily permit costs $6. I believe there is also a camping fee, but I haven’t located it on the state website yet. Showers are available mid-April through late October. Tent sites and RV sites are available by reservation, visit www.OutdoorNebraska.gov/RockCreekStation All pads have hook-ups, camp grill or fire ring, and picnic table. All pads are paved. Tent sites have picnic table and grill or fire ring. Steele City is located 12 miles southeast of Fairbury or 12 miles north of Washington, Kansas. Camping at the Steele City Campground costs $14 per day for RV, $5 per day for tents. Electricity, water & sewer are available. For more information contact (402) 442-2360 or (402) 613-1299. Should you prefer to stay at a motel, I understand from various club members that the Capri Motel in Fairbury is the economical place to stay. Please let one or both of these field trip coordinators where you would like to go, or what materials you would like to collect, or places you would like to visit. July 2018The Western Dakota Gem and Mineral Society will be hosting its 38th Annual Gem and Mineral Show in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies’ Annual Convention on July 20 through July 22, 2018. All show events will be held inside the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Barnett Arena in Rapid City, South Dakota. Admission to the show is $4 per day, children 12 and under are free with adult. The club is advertising presentations (speakers), special events, and children’s activities, in addition to the usual show fare of dealers and demonstrators. Wednesday and Thursday prior to the show (July 18 & 19), and Monday and Tuesday following the show (July 23 & 24) have been allocated for guided tours of local geological sites and national landmarks. The exact schedule and locations will be announced closer to the event dates. LGMC field trips in southwest South Dakota and northwest Nebraska are in the works. If you know of a fun place to explore for rocks/minerals/fossils in those areas, or have GPS coordinates of locations, let Jim Marburger know. Remember, this event is in the middle of July, so plan on very hot temperatures. Make your plans accordingly. The hosts of the convention have provided the following links for more information: To view the Arena and downtown Rapid City events: https://www.gotmine.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking Printable Badlands, Black Hills and Devil’s Tower maps: http://blackhillsbadlands.com/maps Additional info available at the Visitor’s Information Center: http://blackhillsbadlands.com/business/black-hills-visitor-information-center See the 2018 South Dakota Visitor Guide
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