HEBRON – The Hebron Academy Middle School seventh-graders recently traveled to Bumpus Mine in Albany Township for a field trip. Seabury Lyons of Bethel Outdoor Adventure led the two-hour guided tour.

The tour started with Lyons talking about the geology and mineralogy of the area as he passed out examples to the students. They all donned hard hats and explored two of the caves where, for years, feldspar was mined.

The students were shown how to look for rose quartz, black tourmaline and beryl, which is used for aquamarine. In fact, the largest piece of beryl ever mined was from Bumpus Mine, and it now sits in the Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Seventh-grade science teacher Cindy Reedy said, “This field trip was fun and educational from the start. Using simple and understandable analogies, Mr. Lyon clearly explained the complex geological history of the area and enthusiastically described the workings of the Bumpus Mine with memorable anecdotes.”

For more information about the Middle School, visit www.hebronacademy.org.