Field Trip Rules & Procedures

Before You Join or Renew

If you are joining or renewing your membership with the OCMGA, please read these Field Trip Rules & Procedures carefully. As part of the membership process, members are asked each year to confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to follow these rules.

Agreement to these rules is a condition of membership for anyone who wishes to participate in club field trips.

For family memberships, the adult completing the membership form is acknowledging these rules on behalf of all members included in that membership.

Our Field Trip Rules & Procedures

These rules apply to all OCMGA field trips. As part of joining or renewing membership, you must read and agree to these rules and procedures before participating in club field trips. Participation may be denied or terminated by the trip leader for failure to follow these rules and procedures.

  1. You participate in OCM&G Association field trips at your own risk. OCM&G Association’s liability insurance covers the property owner/operator, not you.

  2. Some mine roads are not accessible to all vehicles, and lengthy walks may be required to reach some collecting sites. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the collecting site.

  3. Check in with the trip leader at the appointed place and time. Latecomers will not be admitted unless previously arranged with the trip leaders.

  4. Check out with the trip leader if you leave before the scheduled end of the trip.

  5. Proper attire. Participation in the trip may be denied for inappropriate or unsafe attire.
    a. No swimsuits or pedal pushers will be permitted.
    b. Footwear: boots, ankle-high lace-up required; preferably leather; steel toes recommended. Absolutely no sneakers, flip-flops, open-toed sandals, or bare feet will be permitted.
    c. Sun hat or hard hat is strongly recommended.
    d. Suitable gloves are recommended.

  6. Eye protection must be carried, and must be worn when required for safety.

  7. Participants must stay at least three feet away from any area or feature that is designated as off limits by the property owner/operator or trip leader.

  8. Tools must be appropriate for working with stone and must be in good repair. Carpenters’ hammers and woodworking chisels are dangerous and are not permitted.

  9. Most sites have limited or no facilities. You must provide for your own food, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, personal medicines, tissues, etc.

  10. Maintain situational awareness and always keep safety in mind.

  11. Follow all safety instructions and rules from the property owner/operator and the trip leader.

  12. You must not endanger yourself, other trip participants, the collecting site, or OCM&G Association’s relationship with the property owner/operator through your actions or your failure to take necessary precautions. Unsafe or inappropriate conduct on a field trip will be addressed by trip leadership and may be cause to terminate your participation in the trip.

  13. No littering. Please carry in and carry out.

By completing the field trip acknowledgment as part of joining or renewing membership, you confirm that you have read and understood these OCM&G Association’s Field Trip Rules & Procedures and understand that your participation in OCM&G Association-sponsored field trips is conditional upon following the above Rules & Procedures.

For family memberships, all members included in that membership also agree to the above Rules & Procedures.

These rules have been put together by several different clubs across the US and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. We need this acknowledgment on file each membership year or you will not be able to go on field trips.