This is a college research and service leadership program of study focused on the people of the Clear Lake, California region through time, beginning specifically when the first colonizers arrived from Spain and the East Coast. In uncovering unremembered stories of the past and working to incorporate the research ideas and goals of the local population of the region, we hope to gain a richer understanding of the past.

The field class runs from July 5-14 in Lake County, California. This allows working students to take one week off and complete a full field school.  

Anyone can take part, no experience required.  Do not have to be a California resident. Foothill College is a community college in CA, so everyone can enroll.

The field school will integrate training and direct field experience in Lake County.  Most students will be camping at Clear Lake State Park. Options abound for hotels and AirBnB.

The program fee for students is $400.  Costs for camping reservations for ten days in the Clear Lake basin are covered.  Course credits are offered for Anth 52 - Archaeological Field Methods, you apply to Foothill College and enroll in the class.  All other costs will be directly incurred by the students, to include food and transport.  We will provide options for group dining, fees are arranged directly with the provider.

Foothill College’s Department of Anthropology is excited to be offering a low cost field program in California. Led by Dr Samuel Connell and colleagues, we are studying the remarkable history of the Clear Lake region through time. In 2025 survey of the lake side will continue, and the excavation component will be at a locally important site that is to be determined.  In 2024 we were at the Kelsey Creek Schoolhouse, the last standing original one room schoolhouse in Lake County.  In 2021 summer student survey and excavations focused on the historically significant site of the Ely Stage Stop, which was used as a stage coach stop, public house, hotel and a school for boys. Students will be learning all aspects of fieldwork from survey, ground-penetrating radar, excavation techniques and laboratory work. The work involves defining foundations of the main building, finding the privies and excavating the out buildings. Each student is required to create a legacy project on a topic of their choice with the idea being everyone should leave something postivie behind. Lastly, every student will be heavily involved in community development projects with various stakeholders.

Kelsey Creek Schoolhouse.  Site of 2024 geophysical surveys and excavations.

Student Giulia Zubiria made a great presentation for students who are thinking of coming next summer! Check it out below

GPR scanning in the vineyard at Windrem Ranch, August 2025