What Happens in Vegas... Gets Studied: Geography Field Trip

A key aim of geography education at Lancing College is to broaden the horizon of students by exposing them to unique places around the world. Each year an international field trip is offered to those studying geography, and recent years have seen trips to Iceland and Morocco. This year the geography department led a trip to the South West of the USA, with an opportunity to study geological wonders, assess the sustainability of major cities, understand the perspective of indigenous native Americans and learn about the plight of homeless communities. Travelling through three States- Nevada, Utah and Arizona- students had the chance to experience authentic USA.

At the end of the summer term, 15 students and 3 teachers took off for Las Vegas, landing late evening in the city built in the scorching heat of the Nevada desert. After staying overnight in Circus Circus, one of the casino resorts in the city, the first day saw the team visit Lake Mead, formed by the building of the Hoover Dam. In the visitor centre students spoke with the rangers who explained how the Colorado river was dammed to create a water supply for Las Vegas but with the challenges of climate change and population increases in the city, water levels have been dropping over recent decades creating real challenges for water sustainability. 

In the afternoon students travelled along a section of the famous Route 66, stopping off in Seligman, a small town full of classic American charm. It has vintage diners, retro motels and students had a chance to explore the place for themselves.

That evening the team stayed overnight in Flagstaff, and enjoyed cooling off in the hotel pool.

The next day the students got to explore one of the natural wonders of the world: The Grand Canyon. Carved out by the Colorado river, the team walked in the hot morning sun along a section of the southern rim. Here we learnt about the nature of the geology, stages in its formation and likely future of the landscape. The team were pleased to escape the heat in the hottest part of the day by watching an IMAX theatre show about the discovery and history of the canyon.

The following day saw the team visiting another site of awesome natural beauty. Horseshoe bend has been carved out by the Colorado river and is a picturesque meander set deep into a canyon. The river still flows at its base and on the day we visited we saw swimmers and kayakers making their way along the river. Students had the chance to take in the view, and to take Instagram worthy photos.

Our journey continued, essentially following the Colorado river further inland and in the afternoon we came across the other large dam on the river: the Glen Canyon Dam, holding back Lake Powell. The visitor centre had an interactive museum which told the story of the dam and its importance for hydroelectric power generation and water supply for the region. Many voices are questioning if the Colorado river can handle two large lakes in an era of climate and population change, especially as the Colorado no longer has enough water to flow to the sea, and students had the chance to listen to the various arguments presented.

One of the more intriguing stops made on this day was to an abandoned set of buildings by the side of the road, deep into the traditional lands of the Navajo indigenous people. Here street art gives a glimpse of the thoughts and feelings of this nation, and their attitudes towards modern America, including the intriguing phrase which prompted much discussion, “American rent is due”. ‘The Painted Desert Project’ was a thought provoking stop as we travelled on through SW USA.

By the evening we had reached Bryce National Park, and had the chance to watch the sun setting over the edge of yet another spectacular canyon. Whilst the sun set was slightly ruined by cloud, this canyon was waiting to be explored.  That night we stayed in our third hotel of the trip with another much needed hotel pool.

The following morning we explored Bryce Canyon on foot. We walked down into the beautiful orange rock of the ‘hoodoos’; resistant cap rock juts out from the slightly weaker rock beneath it, all of which has been sculpted by the action of water and the weather. The result is towering canyons and shady dry riverbeds. At the base of the canyon was a pine forest, providing shade and an atmospheric aroma. The walk was tiring in the morning heat but it did provide for some amazing views, and the chance to meet some friendly chipmunks, clearly used to being fed by tourists!

The afternoon saw the group traveling on to Zion National Park and yet another spectacular landscape. Here the mountains towered tall and students enjoyed a shady walk in one of the many valleys. They even cooled off by paddling in the Virgin River. The gift shop, one of many on the trip, proved quite a draw too!

The group stayed overnight in yet another hotel, with another ‘all you can eat’ buffet for dinner- something we were all getting used to. 

The next day saw a return to Las Vegas: the city of contrasts. After the obligatory photo opportunity by the famous Las Vegas sign, the team headed out to Springs Preserve, the site of the spring from which Las Vegas originated. The museum provided a chance for the students to learn about the natural history and development of the Las Vegas region, as well as the fortunes of the early human societies that lived in the valley. There were live animal exits, including snakes and spiders, and there was even a flash flood simulation- flooding is a real challenge for those living in the hot desert Las Vegas climate.

After checking in to the hotel and having an early dinner in an Italian restaurant, the group then had a real treat- the chance to see a show in the Sphere. We saw, rather fittingly, ‘Postcard from Earth’, a show all about the diversity of the Earth’s landscapes. The large wraparound screen, clever use of vibrating seats and surround sound made the experience truly immersive.

Still buzzing from the show, the group then climbed back onto the coach and had a coach tour along the world famous Las Vegas strip, taking in the Neon lights, noise and atmosphere. The group saw all the famous hotel and casino complexes, from the Luxor with its Egyptian theme, to the Paris and New York New York hotels.

The last day was the final chance to explore Las Vegas and here the stark contrasts between rich and poor were evident. The first visit was to ‘Shine a Light’. This is a charity based just off the strip which works to support the homeless community in the city. Some of those who find themselves homeless choose to live in the flood relief channels that exist under the city. The tunnels were designed to divert water from the flash flooding that the city can experience (and which the group learnt about earlier in the trip). Dry most of the year, they provide shade and seclusion for some to call home. We were met by two former homeless people who have managed to turn their lives around. They told us their stories of drug addiction, prison, and the fact that they are now working for the charity that saved them. Their base has a ready supply of clothes, torches, and medical supplies so they can help those in need. After a tour of their base, the group then visited one of the flood tunnels. Under careful and expert guidance, the students had the chance to walk a short distance under the city to see for themselves what life might be like. We also met some of the homeless community who live down there. The students gave out some of the supplies that the charity had prepared, enabling them to engage with a group of people whose lives are very different to our own. 

The students were able to donate some money to the charity; they also have an Amazon wish list for those wanting to contribute further. All spoke of their desire to continue to support the homeless charity, and to get involved with similar charities closer to home. We were one of the first school groups to visit the tunnels with Shine a Light and education is a key aim of the charity, so we felt particularly special to be one of their pioneer school groups.

After lunch in a shopping mall, and the last chance to buy souvenirs, the group found themselves inside the grandeur and spectacle of the Venetian Hotel, themed (loosely) on Venice. The contrast from the morning could not have been starker! Overt opulence, large chandeliers, and the expensive hotel rooms cater for wealthy tourists. Yet this visit was slightly different from the usual tourist experience. We were able to have a tour of the hotel from the head of sustainability, who is very proud of the efforts the resort is doing to save water, waste and electricity. The tour itself involved going behind the scenes into the staff only areas, to see the ways the hotel workers separate the rubbish into recycling, down into the basement car park to see how they pump groundwater up and use it to water plants, and how they buy into a renewable energy scheme. 

After a little free time to explore the rest of the Venetian hotel, it was time to get back onto the coach and to head back to the airport. The overnight flight home happened without a glitch and all students went home safely.

The trip was a huge success, and all students were able to explore the physical geography of awesome landscapes, the human geographies of city management in a desert and the challenges that continue to face indigenous and homeless communities.