CAA High School Field School

Location: Kampsville, IL, US

Season: June 14, 2026 to July 11, 2026

Session Dates: Week 1: June 14-20 Week 2: June 21-27 Week 3: June 28-July 4 Week 4: July 5-11

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.caa-archeology.org/programs/high-school-field-school/

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Center for American Archeology

Project Director:
Dr. Jason L. King

Project Description:

High School Field School is your opportunity to be an archaeologist. Join our summer field crew and participate in real archaeological research alongside professional archaeologists. You will learn how to do fieldwork, laboratory work, identify artifacts, and more with professional archaeologists as we investigate the German site.

The German Site is a Late Woodland / Jersey Bluff Phase habitation site located on a colluvial slope in the Crawford Creek valley. The site was occupied approximately 800-1200 CE. Remote sensing results indicate several possible structures and associated features. Since 2019, we have identified three house basins and several associated storage and refuse pits. A fourth possible house basin was identified in 2023. Field school students and CAA archaeologists have recovered domestic artifacts, including chert tools, pottery, animal bone, and botanical remains during the 2019-2025 field seasons. In 2026 we will continue to excavations at the site in order to better understand Late Woodland people of the Lower Illinois Valley.

Period(s) of Occupation: Woodland

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 1 week

Minimum Age: 13

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students stay in one of the CAA’s dormitories while in residence. Dormitories are basic, bunkhouse-style living facilities without TV or internet. Rooms are at minimum double occupancy. The total number of roommates is based on program enrollment, with a maximum occupancy of four. Boys and girls have separate sections of our dormitory, with a monitored door dividing the sections. Separate shower and restroom facilities are provided. Adult chaperones are on duty 24/7. Our facilities are approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and meet the Illinois Youth Camp Act’s criteria. Cost: 1 Week: $950 2 Weeks: $1875 3 Weeks: $2800 4 Weeks: $3700 Scholarships available.

Academic Credit:
Through our partnership with Lewis & Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL, we are able to offer 2 credit hours for students. To earn credit hours, students must satisfactorily participate in the program and complete a short essay about their excavation unit. LCCC charges a $10 fee per credit ($20 total) for High School Field School Credits. LCCC tuition fees are not including with CAA program fees. Grading/Evaluation: Students are evaluated on his/her performance in the program and the quality of their essay. To receive a positive evaluation, students must participate in all aspects of the program: field excavation, laboratory work, and supplemental sessions. They must also demonstrate a positive attitude, good work ethic, motivation to learn, and willingness to work collaboratively with staff and fellow students. Registration Process: We will send an email with full instructions to every HSFS student during the summer.