If you grew up watching the Magic School bus and always wanted to take a ride back through time, then this will be the field trip for you! We will hitch a ride on the edge of the North American plate as it sails across the globe and watch neighboring continents come crashing in then break free again as mountains and oceans rise and fall. Visit rocks over a billion years old, born when the continents were plantless deserts. We will hear stories of buried volcanoes and look for clues written in everyday rocks about landscapes of the long distant past. The forests of Northern Virginia are hiding a rich and varied display of geologic forces. This is an opportunity to practice a new way of reading the landscape and glimpse what lies beneath the trees and soil.
This is a trip for anyone who loves rocks and wants to gain a deeper understanding about where they live. No prior knowledge necessary! The tour will be led by Andrew Eberly (volunteer) and Bridget Bradshaw (staff), who will give an introduction at the Clifton Institute. Then they will take participants on a driving tour in a 15-passenger van, exploring a multitude of places. We will be driving from stop to stop and getting out frequently to go on short walks to see unique formations and views. Please pack a lunch. We will provide snacks!
We will only offer this program for a minimum of 10 participants, so sign up now and tell your friends! We’ll ask that you RSVP first and once we reach the 10-person minimum we will send an invoice for the program fee.
Cost: $30 ($25 for Friends of the Clifton Institute)
Age: Adults only.
Bring: A picnic lunch! We will provide snacks.
COVID-19 Information: This program will involve up to 40 minutes at a time in an enclosed 15-passenger van driven by a Clifton Institute staff member. We are requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated, boosted, and to wear masks while in the vehicle. We will ask to see vaccination cards. Depending on the weather, we will open windows at least part-way to help with air flow. Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.). If you are concerned about riding in a vehicle with others but would still like to participate, please reach out to Bridget at bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org.
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
Before attending this event, please read the information included on our liability release form (click here).
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!
