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Last updated: December 15, 2005
The scheduled dates for Dinosaur Camp 2006 are: Spring Break: weeks of April 10 and April 17. Summer: weeks of June 12, June 19, June 26, July 10, August 14 and August 21. As always, camp meets in one week sessions - Monday through Friday. Also, as always, additional sessions can be scheduled as needed.
John Hanson Montessori School had 400 students join The Dinosaur Dig in November, 2005. The major find was a tooth from a large meat-eating dinosaur.
Last updated: November 15, 2005
Final park dedication boundaries are likely to be submitted this month.
After a summer of hot humid weather, work has begun again on the lizard footprint site. Expectations are that larger footprints will be found.
The Maryland Science Center will hold its "Dinosaur Days" event on November 12 and 13. At the program it is expected that preparation of the turtle fossil found during Dinosaur Camp in June, 2004 will begin.
Admission to "Dinosaur Days" is free with paid admission to the Maryland Science Center.
A huge excavation is underway at the Ritchie-Marlboro exit on I-495 in Largo, Maryland. This area has previously yielded large amounts of Paleocene fossils.
Last updated: October 10, 2005
Dr. Kranz joined representatives from Jackson Shaw Inc. to review the proposed park boundaries. Some minor adjustments may need to be made but on the whole the project remains on track with the expectation that sometime before the end of 2006 the land will be transfered to MNCPPC.
Much excitement in Emmitsburg. A new fossil plant horizon has been found. To a best approximation, this is the first really good macro Triassic plant locality known in Maryland. Rick Fulton also reports a new larger reptiletrack at Rocky Ridge.
A new attempt to annex the Silver Fancy Quarry to Emmitsburg will be made. It will include the Dinosaur Park as part of the plan.
Rick says he has plans to get the state to include a dinosaur exhibit at the Route 15 rest stop in Emmitsburg.
Last updated: September 13, 2005
Recently there has been a surprise and unwelcome development. Despite assurances that the 110-year old Maryland Geological Survey would remain intact, it now appears that Maryland's Governor Ehrlich intends to dismantle it and sell its building. This would be a severe blow to geologists and people who depend on them both in and out of the State. Beyond that the Survey's long and distinguished history would be interrupted.
People wishing to protest such a move should call the Governor?s office or the Legislators. If you wish you may send an email to governor@gov.state.md.us.
The Dinosaur Fund wishes to alert people to an important impending anniversary. It often takes many years lead time for large institutions to organize conferences and programs, so it is not too soon to mention that when one considers that the Maryland Science Center has a new Dinosaur Wing and MNCPPC may soon have one or more Dinosaur Parks, that November 2008 is the Sesquicentennial of the discovery of Astrodon, America?s first Sauropod and Maryland?s State Dinosaur. 2008 is also coincidentally the 110th anniversary of the discovery of the Capitalsaurus.
The Dinosaur Fund is soliciting suggestions and ideas as to how these events might be commemorated, perhaps, with Conferences and/or memoir volumes.
The Maryland Science Center is planning a Dinosaur Discovery Day in November, 2005. It is now likely that the fossil skeleton discovered in Dinosaur Camp in June, 2004 will be exhumed from its rock on that day. The event is expected to be on public view.
Last updated: August 9, 2005
The final two summer sessions of Dinosaur Camp will be the weeks of August 15 and 22.
The Call Box design for the commemorative sign for the Capitalsaurus discovery site has been approved.
Last updated: July 5, 2005
The design for the Call Box for "Capitalsaurus Court" will be submitted in July.
Dinosaur Camp has three sessions remaining - the weeks of July 18, August 15, August 22.
Jackson Shaw Inc. believes that the closing date for the property transfer to them will be in July, after which they can dedicate the parcel to the Dinosaur Park.
Last updated: May 24, 2005
More fossils continue to be discovered at the Rocky Ridge site. Most recently fish scales from a gar-like fish have been discovered.
FOX News featured DinosaurCamp on Tuesday May 17, 2005.
Camp dates are still the weeks of 6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18,
8/15, 8/22.
Contact (202) 547-3326 for more details.
Last updated: May 24, 2005
Rick Fulton reports that body resting traces have been found of Rhynchosauroides at the Rocky Ridge site. In addition, many more tracks have been recovered.
There are six scheduled Dinosaur Camps this summer. The weeks beginning 6/20l; 6/27; 7/11; 7/18; 8/15/8/22.
The Dinosaur Fund has been allocated a "Call Box" near "Capitalsaurus Court", 1st & F Streets SE. The "Call Box" program uses old fire call boxes to mark historic sites. A plaque will be placed to commemorate the discovery of Capitalsaurus.
Upper Cretaceous beds have been exposed by construction at the junction of Lottsford Vista Road and M.L.K.Jr. Hwy (Rt. 704) in Lanham, Maryland. This site has the potential to be very signficant because beds in the vicinity are the only ones to yield belemnite fossils on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay.
Last updated: April 4, 2005
The soon to be new owners of the Muirkirk dinosaur site have been extremely supportive in the efforts to preserve the resource. During March 2005 they surveyed the portion of the land with dinosaur fossils with the stated intention of trading it to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George's County. The objective is the preservation and annexation to the existing designated dinosaur parkland.
If you wish to show your appreciation of their positive efforts and cooperation you may email them at talyward@jacksonshaw.com and/or tedernoga@co.pg.ind.us.
Rick Fulton is continuing his efforts to get the Emmitsburg dinosaur track quarry donated to some public government. Pat Boyle, the land- owner has always been cooperative and supportive of the donation but local and county governments have yet to agree to a plan. You may email Jim Hoover, the mayor of Emmitsburg at mayorhoover@emmitsburgmd.gov and Rick Fulton at fulton@myway.com to show your support for the donation and acquisition.
On March 24, 2005 Dr. Kranz gave a presentation to COPE, an environmental protection group of Emmitsburg, Maryland. The presentation covered a history of dinosaur track discovery in the Emmitsburg area. Also discussed were problems related to the potential donation of land to the town for a dinosaur track park.
St. Bernadette's of Silver Spring had 300 students and adults sifting dinosaur fossil bearing clay. While it has not yet been completely sorted, they have already discovered a raptor tooth and a crocodile tooth.
The Fountain Rock Nature Center fossil trip is free and open to the public. Meet at 10AM Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the Nature Center in Walkersville, Maryland. Must have private transportation. We will look for fossils from dinosaur times and pre-dinosaur times. Call (301) 898-1460 for details and directions.
Dinosaur Camp for Spring Break was very successful despite the rain early in the week. A new camp date has been added for summer - the week of July 18-22. Weeks already scheduled include June 10-24; June 27- July 1; July 11- 15; August 15-19; August 22-26.
Through the newspaper stories of Rick Fulton, a 10-year delayed discovery discovery of fossil foot prints was brought to light. Apparently in 1994 a Maryland Geological Survey geologist , John Edwards,left a note for a local farmer in Rocky Ridge, Maryland to the effect that there were probably 200 million year old fossil footprints on his property. AS a result of his writing, Rick was contacted by the farmer and visited the site and found more than 30 footprints to date.
These prints were probably made by a small lizard, tentatively identified by Dr. Paul Olsen of Columbia University as Rhynchosauroides.
If you wish to try your hand at an ID you can see posted photos on line at http://triassicpark.oceancityusa.com/triassic/templ.html.
There is a story in the Baltimore Sun of April 1, 2005 about these prints.
Last updated: April 4, 2005
There are still openings in this month's (March, 2005) Dinosaur Camps March 21-25 and March 28-April 11. Contact (202) 547-3326 or dinosaurfund@juno.com for details.
St. Bernadette's School of Silver Spring, Maryland will hold a school-wide dinosaur dig for its students on March 10/11. Results will be reported next month.
Fountain Rock Nature Center, Walkersville, Maryland will sponsor a public fossil hunt beginning at 10AM on Saturday, April 9, 2005. Call (301) 898-1460 for details.
Chesapeake Children's Museum of Annapolis, Maryland will sponsor a public program on dinosaurs of Maryland presented by Dr. Peter Kranz on Saturday, March 13, 2005. Contact (410) 990-1993 for details.
The MSC will start work on the turtle fossil in March or April, 2005. Interested parties wishing to volunteer to do prep work on the ossil should contact Pete Yancone at (410) 454-5950.
The Capitalsaurus Day events have been postponed until early February, 2005.
Fossil shells are visable in the tailing along I-495 from the Wilson Bridge excavations. Bad weather has prevented close observation.
Dinosaur Camp will be run the March 21-25 and March 29-April 1 weeks of 2005 for Spring Break. Summer dates in 2005 include June 20-24; June 27-July 1; July 11 - 15; August 15-19; August 22-26.
The Chesapeake Children's Museum in Annapolis will sponsor several dinosaur programs in mid-March, 2005.
Last updated: February 7, 2005
The North Side of I-495 at the Wilson Bridge has been cleared down to the Severn Formation. Some fossils might be found there.
**** DINOSAUR CAMP DATES for 2005 *****
Spring Break Session 1: March 21-25;
Spring Break Session 2: March 28-April 1.
Summer Session 1: June 20-24;
Summer Session 2: June 27-July 1;
Summer Session 3: July 11-15;
Summer Session 4: August 15-19;
Summer Session 5: August 22-26.
Family Dinosaur Camp meets for one week sessions Monday-Friday 4-8 hours per day. Parent/caretaker must attend with child. For additional details call (202) 547-3326.
Capitalsaurus Day 2005 activities will be held at the Watkins Elementary School 12th and E St. SE Washington, D.C. Activities include performances, book sale, and a presentation about dinosaurs of the National Capital Region. For additional details call (202) 537-3326.