Horseback Discovery Tour
Horseback Discovery uses horses as transportation to travel to and study some of the most beautiful biological communities in Eastern Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Some of the biological communities that may be studied include Teton National Park, Island Park, Big Hole Mountain Range, Centennial Mountains, Palisades, Cold Desert and the Sand Dunes.
The program is set up to offer 4 credits taught spring semester, April 22 through July 22, 2013. See a listing of the courses offered below. See current registration form for class times and places. Registration forms may be obtained in Benson 201 or 294K. Variances may be made on an individual basis by consent of the director.
Total Lab fee for the Horseback Program is $500 per person. This fee pays for use of horses, equipment, and transportation. The fee is Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable. The full deposit is required to enroll for Horseback Discovery. The above cost does not include housing, food or tuition.
Requirements
It is important that the health and physical condition of each participant generally be good, and individual cases may be evaluated. Those persons with heart conditions, weight problems, or other conditions that might limit their participation in the program or endanger their health through participation should seek competent medical advice and must disclose these conditions to the program director. For this reason participants in Horseback Discovery are required to have a brief interview with Bro. Tate Carter or Sis. Lark Hillier prior to being accepted for the program. For the safety of the rider and the horse, participants' weight should be within a healthy range. Some conditions may preclude enrollment as determined by the director.
Each student will be required to have medical insurance. Adequate family and group policies are sufficient to meet the requirement. If you do not have personal medical insurance, it is available through the university.
Disclaimer
Brigham Young University - Idaho Travel Study Programs reserves the right to make changes or substitutions in this offer as a result of increases in fares, hotel rates, currency rates or other unforseen circumstance prior to departure. We reserve the right to cancel the tour if deemed necessary for circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to: strikes, walk-outs, riots, wars or acts of God (arguably the cause behind the rest, ironically.) If cancellation is necessary, Brigham Young University - Idaho Travel Study Programs or its agents have no responsibility to the student beyond refunding all deposits and moneys paid within 30 days.
Courses
Course Course Title Credit
FDSCI 203 Environmental Stewardship 2
FDREL 333 Teachings of the Living 2
BIO 490 Special Problems * 1-3
*available only for students with special circumstances
Registration
The registration for classes is taken care of by the student once they have been enrolled in the "tour". Preferably all students will sign up for both classes. Continuing BYU-I students must have an ecclesiastical endorsement from their bishop as part of the regular registration process. All fines and bills must be paid before registration for classes can take place.
The $500.00 deposit is generally Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable. Each case will be individually considered, but consideration of the place you have held while others may have been turned away will be strongly considered.
FAQ's
1. When is Horseback Discovery? Spring semester. We meet at various times on campus throughout the week for Religion and Foundation classes. See current year registration form or contact Tate Carter or Lark Hillier for times and places.
2. What is the Cost? The cost is $500. This includes the travel/lab. fees, but not the University tuition. These fees also include use of the horse, saddle, bridle, halter etc. and transportation of student and horse. The fee does not include housing or food.
3. Do I need to be an Experienced Rider? No, part of the curriculum is teaching you proper techniques and handling methods. This class provides a good solid foundation for you to be a successful horseperson. We do not discourage experienced riders by any means, but it is not required.
4. How do I Sign up? This program requires internal registration, therefore you need to see Tate Carter in Benson 294K or the Biology Department Office Manager, Lark Hillier in Benson 201 to pickup a registeration form. The classes in this program cannot be registered using regular methods until the student has been manually enrolled in the tour. All students must have an ecclesiastical endorsement from their bishop, academic clearance from their advisor and all fines and bills must be paid prior to registration.
5. Is the program really only Once per week? Yes, the riding portion is only once per week, but these will be long days, 8-14 hours, depending on travel distances, in addition to the riding day are the various meeting times for the other classes.
6. What Apparel is required? There are no requirements on apparel other than the University Dress Code. However, students should come prepared to be in adverse weather conditions, coats, hats, gloves, etc. Cowboy boots are not required, but a sturdy shoe is suggested (example - Hikers). No open toe shoes. Raincoats are provided.
7. Where will we be Going? We try to introduce students into a variety of Habitats. These may include Teton National Park, the Island Park Area, Sanddunes, Cold Desert, and Big Hole Mountains just to name a few. Most of these areas will have some breath-taking vistas. You should bring a camera everyday.
8. Is there a Textbook required? No, the author of the text we use is our Heavenly Father. We will try to teach you to read the Creator's Handbook - Nature. You will be introduced to Biological and Ecological Principles and Theories as the flora and fauna of these beautiful places are explained to you. There is a field guide published by the National Audobon Society that is suggested, it is titled Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States.
9. What is the Homework load like? Each course has varying amounts of work required outside of class. The Religion course requires quizzes and writing assignments. The FDSCI 203 course requires note taking, homework, quizzes and testing. In addition to these each student is required to make a journal/scrapbook. We have found this is one of the most useful requirements because it requires that students take field notes, edit and transcribe them into their journal/scrapbook, which will be turned in and graded at the end of the semester. Obviously pictures are of key importance in this scrapbook. Students are strongly suggested to include a minimum of 5 photos, 5 collected plant specimens (where possible) and 5 fauna entries pertinent to the trip. Creating a personal book like this requires that students stay current in their notes which helps them learn the material.
10. What are the Tests like? We give a variety of tests, from tests that require diagramming and labeling, to short answer, essay, identification and some old-fashioned memorization. The tests are certainly challenging, but are also a key part of any University class. Don't let this part of the program scare you out of having the experience of a lifetime.
Contacts
Lark Hillier
BEN 201
208-496-4601
Tate Carter
BEN 294K
208-496-4608
