Participants working together at Pit 4 of the Mother’s Day Quarry

Over the last several years, we’ve been lucky to work with participants from all over the globe. One of our favorite things about each summer is getting to know every person who joins our team in the short time that they’re with us. We’ve had so many interesting conversations and heard incredible stories about places all over the globe, which makes us wonder; if our dinosaurs come from Montana, where do our participants come from?! Since our very first expedition up to now, our participants of all ages hail from every corner of the world, various careers, and continue to prove that there is no limit to who can love dinosaurs and exploration!

There are some incredible moments when people come together from totally different lives and levels of experience in paleontology. Everyone brings something special to the experience; whether it be aspiring paleontologists, doctors, farmers, lawyers, musicians, animators, diplomats, etc. Someone discovers a bone for the first time, their excitement is contagious, and suddenly a lawyer from Detroit and a doctor from Germany are working together to uncover it! These people that had no idea one another existed the day before are suddenly celebrating together. One of the coolest things about our expeditions is meeting so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and especially how everyone - no matter their background - always finds ways to connect their experiences and knowledge with the paleo work and contributes in their own way, making it much more fulfilling to everyone else, staff included!

Some might say that dinosaurs are just for kids. Not true! While we often have children who join the expedition with their parents or grandparents, it’s not just the kids that are bitten by the dinosaur “love bug”. The adults get just as excited as the kids do and it’s a heartening scene to watch people from every age group work together on a dig. Whether you’re a dino-obsessed kid or a retiree with a passion for natural history, it just goes to show that dinosaurs are for everyone.

Map of the US showing home states of past participants. Darker green states indicate higher numbers of people.

Where do all of these people come from anyway? So far we have worked with folks from forty-four U.S. states plus D.C., and seven countries (the UK, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Thailand, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates)! This year alone, we had people from five of those countries. The only states we’re missing are Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, North and South Dakota, West Virginia, and Nebraska. So tell your friends and help us fill in the rest of the map!

All this to say that the wonderful people we meet, from all ages and backgrounds, are what really enrich the experience. Despite differences in age, careers, experience, and geographies, nearly everyone on the expedition becomes close friends by the second day. They keep in touch throughout the rest of the year and even coordinate to return together the next year! In fact, 50% of our participants every year are returners! From city folks of Manhattan to seasoned adventurers from far away countries, everyone develops a strong bond through this shared adventure!

It is our mission and privilege to bring people together through dinosaurs, to encourage people of all backgrounds to get involved with science and make them feel welcome. We look forward to continuing to expand our reach around the globe, as well as connecting with more exciting people through the wonder of natural history. Come along with us for your next adventure - and bring your friends!

Dino-Lovers Without Borders