JGE 1993 - Volume 41

Although field trips are an essential component of any well rounded course of instruction in geology, they can be sources of considerable difficulty for the field-trip leaders and for timid university administrators who fear the legal consequences of accidents. Many sorts of problems do, in fact, occur on field trips. Some are due to student or faculty error, others to mechanical problems with vehicles or equipment, and yet others to unexpected events or weather. Despite these problems and risks, the irreplaceable instructional value, the personal camaraderie, and the enjoyment shared by participants fully justifies taking the trips.