Verde Valley Campus (Clarkdale)   

This is an encore field trip, first conducted in Fall 2025. Your tour guides will be Hal Hatfield, retired geologist and Park volunteer and Mary Beth Barr, Jerome Historical Society President. Topics will include geologic history; major town and mining events; the mine owners; the ghost town years; and what makes Jerome tick today. The tour will be primarily outdoors, so please dress accordingly. A $10 fee or a valid annual State Park Pass will be required for entrance to the State Park.

Over a three-week period, we will explore historical aspects of Black Hills mining and the mining towns of Jerome, Clarkdale, and Clemenceau. In week one, we will detail histories of the two largest mining companies: United Verde Copper Company and United Verde Extension. Week two will delve into the Verde Valley railroads. Special guest Cody Ely, ranger at Jerome State Historic Park, will present this session. Week three will highlight the smelters and their processes in the communities.

Ignite your STARlight: An Experiential Journey Within- Participants of all backgrounds will relax and delight in a luminous journey of wonder, play and inner discovery. Blending science, nature, symbolism, and using our creative imaginal intelligence, we explore and expand the brilliance of our innermost STARlight. Comfortable clothing is suggested. A $5 materials fee per participant will be collected during the first week for keepsake creations.

In Classroom 1-1/2-2 hours each, weekly lesson plan handouts and assignments, 5-10 minute in class writing and critique from prompts, stand alone essay based memoir topics, essays in progress readings and critique. Participants will produce three 1,000 word essays to be compiled into a document for each participant. Sample prompts: Influencers, A Childhood Friend, A Favorite Place, A Memorable Journey, others as chosen by participants or the facilitator.