June 28-August 8, 2026
Our Adult Field School is your opportunity to be an archaeologist. Undergraduates, graduate students, and adults of all ages are welcome! Join our field crew and participate in real archaeological research alongside professional archaeologists. With our staff, you will learn how to do fieldwork, laboratory work, identify artifacts, and more 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.
Non-credit and for credit options are available. See the Program Credit section at the bottom of the page for details.
Program
Enrollment is open to anyone 18 years or older. You may enroll for one to six weeks. Enrolled weeks need not be consecutive. We are accepting enrollments in all program weeks. Full weeks will be indicated here as they fill.
- Week 1: June 28-July 4
- Week 2: July 5-11
- Week 3: July 12-18
- Week 4: July 19-25
- Week 5: July 26-August 1
- Week 6: August 2-8
While in Kampsville, participants engage in field and laboratory work with CAA archaeologists. Students learn excavation techniques, including shoveling, troweling, mapping, measuring, soil description, and flotation sampling. Lab work includes artifact washing, identification, and flotation. These activities are supplemented by occasional evening lectures on by CAA archaeologists and guest archaeologists on various archaeological topics. The day usually begins at 7 am with breakfast and ends by 9 pm.
Please see the 2026 Adult Field School Schedule and Gear List for program details.
Students should arrive on the Sunday and depart the Saturday after their program ends.
The CAA can provide shuttle service to and from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport or the Alton, Illinois Amtrak station for an additional cost.
Please do not book travel until you have received confirmation of enrollment and the travel instructions.
Tuition (Non-Credit Option)
Tuition includes room; all meals Monday through Friday; supplies, and instruction. Students may enroll for one to four weeks.
- 1 Week: $800
- 2 Weeks: $1600
- 3 Weeks: $2400
- 4 Weeks: $3200
- 5 Weeks: $4000
- 6 Weeks: $4800
Scholarship support for women is available through our Women in Archeology Scholarship program.
Scholarships are also available to all through our Kampsville Legacy Scholarship program.
Residents of Calhoun, Pike, Greene, and Jersey counties receive a 10% discount on tuition.
Accommodations
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. Shower and restroom facilities are provided. Our facilities are approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and meet the Illinois Youth Camp Act’s criteria.
How to Enroll (Non-Credit Option)
Download, complete, and return the 2026 Summer Adult Field School Application.
If you applying for a scholarship, please include that application as well. Your program application will not be reviewed until your entire scholarship application has been received.
New applications are typically processed on Fridays, though not necessarily every Friday.
Please do not submit tuition or deposit payment until you have received an invoice from our bookkeeping office.
If you have not received confirmation, we have not received your application!
Registration for the program closes one week prior to the start of each session.
Enrollment is limited to 10 students per week for Weeks 1 and 2, and 24 students per week for Weeks 3-6. Those applying after enrollment capacity is reached will be added to the waiting list in the order of receipt of a complete application. You must submit a complete application to be added to the waiting list.
ISU Program Credit
Credit for is available for the Adult Field School through Illinois State University. The schedule, requirements, and program are the same as the non-credit option, however this option does include additional costs for the ISU credits.
In order to earn ISU credits, you must apply using ISU’s application process. Do not use the Non-Credit Option instructions if you want to apply for ISU credits.
- Apply to ISU as a non-degree/visiting student. You will be able to pick the appropriate course and section here as well as pay ISU’s tuition.
- Pay the Program Fee. Please do not pay the program fee until you have completed the first step.
Once you have enrolled and paid all fees (ISU tuition + CAA program fee), we will send additional travel, gear, and program documents.
For credit enrollment will begin in February 2026
Questions: If you have any questions, please contact the CAA at education@caa-archeology.org or 618-653-4316 for more information.