Field Trip Policies

Only club members (including minors) in good standing may attend any club field trips. Good standing means current dues must be paid. It is the responsibility of club members to renew their membership if it expires between registering for a field trip and attending said field trip. No guests are allowed on club field trips.*

If a person attempts to sign up for a Minnesota Mineral Club (MMC) membership less than 3 weeks before a club field trip, the MMC cannot ensure there will be enough time to process their membership in time to sign up for a given field trip.

No membership applications or dues will be accepted on club field trips.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on all club field trips and supervised at all times.*

All club field trip participants are required to fill out and sign a Liability Waiver and Code of Ethics Agreement.

If a participant is a minor, it is the responsibility of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to fill out and sign a Liability Waiver, Code of Ethics Agreement, and Release for Use of Image form for each child.*

Field trip sign up is first come, first serve. If a member decides to not attend a field trip, it is their responsibility to cancel their slot so someone else may sign up. If a member does not cancel prior to the field trip within a reasonable amount of time the member may experience consequences. “Reasonable amount of time” will be determined by the field trip leader but in general will be three to five days before a one-day/local field trip and 7-10 days for a travel/out-of-state field trip. Exceptions for not canceling within a reasonable amount of time will be determined by the Tour Director on a case-by-case basis and may include family emergency/death, vehicle issues not able to be foreseen, and sudden illness.

Consequences for a member not notifying the field trip leader and Tour Director of a field trip cancelation within a reasonable amount of time may result in a probation/ban from further field trips for up to 60 days. Further consequences will require Board of Directors (BOD) approval and may include probation/ban from field trips for 1 year, probation/ban from field trips for life, or revocation of membership without reimbursement of club dues.

Members must register in advance in order to attend club field trips and must receive confirmation of their registration.

Club field trips may be cancelled in the event of severe weather or if interest is too low. Members will be notified as soon as possible about any changes to field trips.

It is each club members’ responsibility to arrive at field trip meeting locations on time. Failure to arrive on time could result in missing the field trip.

To protect the privacy of private property owners who allow us to collect on their land, the MMC does not share addresses or driving directions with club members who have not registered for the field trip.

All sites visited by MMC are not to be revisited unless they are on public domain property or are a public/commercial business.

Acting in a safe manner is the responsibility of the field trip participants and, unless specified, participants are responsible for any personal protective equipment (PPE) that may be required.

A Field Trip Leader may dismiss any member from a field trip if that member chooses not to follow the MMC’s rules – including the AFMS Code of Ethics and Land Use Policy. Further consequences may include a probation/ban from further field trips for up to 60 days. Consequences beyond a 60-day probation will require Board of Directors (BOD) approval and may include probation/ban from field trips for 1 year, probation/ban from field trips for life, or revocation of membership without reimbursement of club dues.

When a club member signs up for a field trip, they agree to be responsible for being familiar with and following all MMC Field Trip Policies.

In the event that the MMC becomes aware that a club member has violated one of the above policies, it is MMC’s right to enforce the policy. The MMC is not obligated to make any exceptions.

*Please note: these policies mean that grandparents, aunts, uncles, and any other family members, besides parents and legal guardians, are not eligible to bring minors on club field trips. All field trip attendees must be MMC members and must follow the membership policy whereas a Family Membership is defined as up to two adults and any minors under their guardianship living in a single household. Thank you for your cooperation.