Shell-leaf Penstemon

Upcoming Events

2010 Sand Hills Discovery Experience

The topic for 2010 is "Ashes in the Sand Hills ". The conference is July 8, with optional tours on July 7 & 9.

Sand Hills Discovery Experience 2010 Conference Information

Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Ainsworth High School, 520 East 2nd Street

Register Early. Registration materials will be available in mid spring on this site. The conference is a full day from 8:00am to 5:00pm

A download of the Registration Form is available here: Click here to download form

8:00-8:45 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast (Use south door) Fee: $50 (early registration-$45) per person. Students under 18 may attend this event free of charge if an accompanying adult with paid registration.

8:45-9:00 - Opening of conference

9:00 – 12:00 - Presentations

12:00 – 1:00 - Lunch (included)

1:00 – 4:30 - Presentations continue

Vendors and exhibitors will be on site until 5:00 p.m.

This year's presenters:

· Bob Diffendal - Ashes in the Sand Hills

· Stan Lewis - Fossil insects from Ash Deposits (12m - 35m years ago)

· Shane Tucker - Fossils from the Rick Irwin Quarry

· Will Locke - Rocky Mountains; Headwaters of the Platte River

· Al Dutcher - Climatology and the Sand Hills

Breakout sessions, exhibitors, vendors, continental breakfast and a catered lunch are included in the full day registration fee. Information below gives optional choices and the schedule of fees. Informative tours are available on Wednesday and Friday to those registered for the Thursday conference.

COLLEGE CREDIT OFFERED

One hour senior/graduate credit in education is also offered, at an additional fee, by Wayne State College. For more information on college credit, contact Wayne State College, 1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787; phone 1-800-228-9972 or e-mail the continuing education department, demoste1@wsc.edu

Pre and Post Conference Tours and Workshops

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

1. Fossil Dig
8:15 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Fee $10.00

2. Prescribed Burn Sites in the Niobrara Valley
1:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m.
Fee $7.00

3. Shoebox Science (for educators)
2:00-4:00 p.m.
No Fee
Will be held in the Ainsworth Conference Center Meeting Room

This tour will visit a 6.6 million year old fossil dig. Shane Tucker and staff will assist participants to work the dig. Tour is limited to 16 participants. Repeats Friday.

Al Steuter will lead this tour of prescribed burn sites in the Niobrara Valley. During the tour, activities for children and youth will be held at the Nature Conservancy headquarters.

Kathy French will present a ‘hands on’ session featuring the University of Nebraska State Museum’s Shoebox Science kits. We will dive into a wide variety of kits from butterflies to dinosaurs and ancient people. See how these resources can enhance your teaching. Sometimes your units just need a few more hands on opportunities!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Debra McKim will discuss the history of Dutch ovens, care/maintenance, and cooking techniques. A delicious dutch oven dinner with all the trimmings and dessert is included. The workshop is limited to 50 participants.

4.Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop
6:00 p.m.
Held at Barb Lamb’s house in rural Ainsworth (directions will be given).
Fee $20.00 for adults
$10.00 for age 12 and under

Friday, July 9, 2010

5. Fossil Dig
8:15 a.m. –12:00 noon
Fee $10.00

6. Ash Fall Fossil Beds
7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Fee $20.00

7. Sand Hills Lake Tour
8:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Fee $7.00

This tour will visit a 6.6 million year old fossil dig. Shane Tucker and staff will assist participants to work the dig. Tour is limited to 16 participants.

This will be an escorted tour through the fossil beds and the new Hubbard Rhino Barn. Afterwards, a no-host lunch will be available at nearby Green Gables Restaurant. Individuals may provide their own transportation for a $10 reduction in the fee. Tour is limited to 30 participants.

Take an escorted scenic drive through the Sand Hills to visit Willow Lake, Moon Lake, Long Lake, and others. Stops will include information on the flora and fauna at each site.

General Information: These tours are held in conjunction with the Sand Hills Discovery Experience. All tours will leave from the north entrance of the Ainsworth Conference Center, east Highway 20 and Ash Street. Returning times are approximate. Plan to bring necessary out-of-doors items, such as sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, hats, comfortable, sturdy shoes and a water bottle. Tours are limited to registered conference attendees. Tours are limited in size and will be filled on first come, first serve basis. Transportation provided except where noted.

A block of rooms has been reserved until July 1^st at the Ainsworth Rodeway Inn, 888-757-1050 (toll free) and at the Ainsworth Super 8 Motel, phone 800-800-8000. For other lodging or general information, call the North Central Development Center, 402-387-2740 (866-387-2740 toll free), or log onto www.ainsworthchamber.com.