Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way to register for a Field Studies course is to call Barb Kleinwachter in the Field Studies office at 630.942.3763. Barb has experience taking many of our courses and is always willing to answer any questions you might have regarding registration and payments.

- How many people do you take on your Field Studies courses?

I try to keeps groups small so we do not have as big an impact on the environment. Also, because of many of the wilderness areas we travel too, restrictions are made on the number of visitors. Most courses have no more than 12 students, some no more than 10 and some, no more than 8.

- Can I go on a field study without signing up for the course or courses?

No. All classes/trips must be taken for credit. There are no exceptions. However, many of the people taking these courses are NOT traditional students. Many of the people in these classes may not "want" the course credit, but they choose these course organized field trips because they want to learn about the focus of the field trip.

- Can a payment plan be worked out so I don't have to pay all of the trip fee at once?

Yes. In most cases, students may register and begin paying for classes with fees of $400 or more. The office has a  separate payment schedule set up for each course. Contact the Field Studies office at 630.942.2356 for payment schedules for specific courses.

- What is the experience level required?

Unless it's noted, all courses are for beginners. Some courses combine options for students with different skill levels where experienced people have new options and beginners are introduced to the course skills. Some course descriptions have restrictions on student ability like "must be able to paddle 10 miles a day" or  "must be able to hike 8 miles a day over rough, hilly terrain with a 35-pound backpack" because of the objective. Please contact me if you have questions about your skill level.

- Will all of the students be 18 or 19 years old?

Though it's hard to predict the ages of students who will register in a class, the average age of students participating in our classes has been around 40 years old.  I have even had classes with students aged 18 to 80 years old, and everywhere in between.

- What equipment do I have to bring?

Different courses have different equipment needs. Most of the equipment is provided for Field Studies courses like tents, pots and pans, camp stoves, kayaks, canoes, paddling equipment, backpacking equipment, climbing equipment, etc. Students may be required to obtain some personal items for their course like special clothing, eating utensils, water bottles, headlamp/flashlight, etc. Most students have these personal items, and some borrow the equipment from friends or myself. Food is provided on most of my courses, but students must provide all of their meals for some courses. Contact me if you have equipment concerns for specific courses.

- Can I sign up for a course before my regular registration appointment?

Particularly in the case of more expensive trips, students may usually begin making payments for the "trip" portion before their registration appointment date. In this situation, your down payment will guarantee your space. Students are not able to register for the actual credit course before their regular registration appointment.

- Do these classes count for graduation credit?

Yes. All classes offered through this department count toward graduation credits, either as electives or required courses. If  you are planning on transferring please check with the institution you plan on transferring to.

- If I really enjoy a certain class, can I take it again?

You may take as many courses designated 1800 as you'd like. As long as the class title is different, you will get additional credit for the class. You may even take the same class over, for example, Rock Climbing, Physical Education 1841; however, your grade will be recorded as "R" for repeat, and you will receive no additional credit for the course.

- How much work is involved with the courses?

For most of these courses, students must show an effort to learn the associated skills. Certain classes may require more work.

- What is your experience level?

I've been working for the College of DuPage and Field Studies for well over 13 years. Currently, I teach over 20 for-credit  adventure courses a year, and manage operations at the Field Studies Center. Over the years I have developed and implemented dozens of successful adventure courses all over North America - from the colorful coral reefs off the Florida Keys to the alpine tundra of arctic Alaska. I hold numerous medical credentials including a Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness EMT (WEMT), an Emergency Medical Technician License and I'm also CPR certified.