US-CO: Amache Community Archaeology(IFR)

Location: Granada, CO, US

Session Dates: June 14-July 11, 2026

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://ifrglobal.org/program/us-co-amache/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Institute for Field Research (IFR), University of Denver

Project Director:
Dr. Bonnie Clark, Dr. April Kamp-Whittaker, Dr. Annie Davis

Project Description:

Explore the history and heritage of Amache, a World War II-era Japanese American confinement camp recently designated as a U.S. National Historic Site. This unique field school combines archaeology, museum studies, and community engagement, giving you the chance to investigate daily life at Amache while contributing to its preservation. During this four-week program, you’ll survey the site, carry out targeted excavations of gardens and landscape features built by incarcerees, and work directly with artifacts and archives in the Amache Museum. Just as important, you’ll collaborate closely with survivors and descendents of the Amache camp, learning how to navigate sensitive issues around a difficult heritage while building skills that translate to careers in archaeology, museums, and heritage management.

Field school highlights:

• Gain practical training in survey, excavation, collections management, artifact analysis and more.
• Make an impact by helping to preserve and document the Amache site.
• Work closely with community members who have personal or family ties to Amache, gaining valuable experience in community-based research.

Period(s) of Occupation: Field Archaeology, Historical, Community/Public, Heritage Management

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Students are expected to stay the full length of the program.

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
The field school operates out of a crew house located on the grounds of the Granada School and the Amache Preservation Society Museum. The Crew House contains restroom/shower facilities, a kitchen, large communal room, an office, and 1 sleeping space reserved for visiting researchers, and a room for students to keep valuables. There are also laundry facilities on site that can be used weekly. Students will be camping behind the Crew House in a shaded lawn space. Individual tents will be provided to students, or you may choose to bring your own small tent. All meals will be communal and food for lunch and breakfast is provided in a serve yourself system. For breakfast and lunch a range of simple options are provided and specific food needs or allergies can be accommodated. Evening meals will be prepared by a cook who can accommodate specific food needs or allergies.

Academic Credit:
8 semester (12 quarter)