The Training Program

I, the undersigned Participant, hereby execute and deliver to the Arkansas Archeological Society (“Society”) this Project Participation Agreement, Release and Waiver (the “Agreement”) as of the date set forth below. For and in consideration of the opportunity to participate in the fieldwork, educational activities, and training described below, I hereby agree as follows:

The activities that I have agreed to participate in (the “Activities”) are described as follows:

Project Site: 2026 Arkansas Archeological Society/Arkansas Archeological Survey Training Program, Plum Bayou Mounds and/or Winfrey Site
Location: Scott, Arkansas
Dates: May 29, 2026 through June 14, 2026
Survey Project Archeologist(s): Arkansas Archeological Survey, PBM Research Station, Dr. Paige Ford
Activities: Archeological excavation, analysis of recovered materials, instruction, and training, etc.

The term “Project Site” as used herein includes excavation location, classroom, seminar site, lab facilities, campground, surveying site, vehicle parking area, and other places where Activities are conducted.

1. I hereby request to participate in the foregoing Activities, and the Society hereby agrees to allow my participation in the Activities, without compensation paid to me by Society or any affiliated organization. I agree to pay any and all amounts required for participation in the Activities at or prior to the deadline stated by Society at its sole discretion.
2. I am aware that field work and all other archeological work requires physical exertion which is very strenuous and includes a risk of loss of or damage to personal property and serious personal injury or death to myself or others. I am fully aware of and understand the scope, nature, and extent of the risks and hazards involved in the Activities contemplated by this Agreement. I voluntarily assume and freely choose to incur any and all such risks of loss, damage, injury or death, including, but not limited to, the loss caused in whole or in part by the unintended conduct of Society and its staff and volunteers.
3. I hereby represent that I am physically fit to receive and participate in the Activities. I acknowledge that I have been advised to consult with a physician regarding my participation in Activities and that my physician has confirmed to me that I have no medical condition which would affect my full participation in the Activities. I hereby willingly assume responsibility for any risks that I expose myself to and accept full responsibility for any injury or death that may result from participating in the Activities. I for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns and anyone else who may claim on my behalf, forever WAIVE, RELEASE and DISCHARGE Society, and/or its officers, directors, representatives, instructors, agents or employees, subsidiaries, or assigns from any and all claims, liability and damages, actions, causes of actions, causes of action and suits of any kind or nature I may now or in the future have arising by any means whatsoever, from or in connection with my participation in the Activities.
4. I will hold harmless and indemnify Society, it directors, officers, representatives, instructors, agents or employees, subsidiaries, or assigns from any and all liability for any damage or injury to any person or any property belonging to Society or any third party, resulting from my actions, including my involvement in or presence during any of the Activities.
5. Society or its designated party may photograph or film me while on any site or location being used by Society or participating in the Activities, and I hereby authorize the use of my image, any and all such photos, video footage and/or video streaming for promotion, sales, publicity and advertising purposes for all media, including, but not limited to, the internet.
6. I will comply at all times with all rules and regulations of the Society and all instructions of Survey Project Archeologist, whether oral or written, including but not limited to the Project Regulations. I understand that failure to comply with the rules and regulations will result in my expulsion from the Activities.
7. I agree to collect and/or excavate archeological material only in specifically designated areas when, where, and as instructed by the Project Archeologist. I will not collect any artifacts from the surface of the site without the Project Director’s authorization. I agree to leave each artifact in place and notify the Project Archeologist as to the location.
8. I shall have no right, title, or interest in any artifact and records resulting from the Activities. I will not keep anything found during the Activities. I understand that failure to comply with the foregoing rules will result in my expulsion from the Activities.
9. I will fully comply with Emergency Response Plan at the Project Site.
10. I will confirm that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between me and Society, and it supersedes all prior communications, proposals, representations and agreements, whether oral or written with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. The terms of this Agreement shall be subject to Society’s Bylaws and its Code of Ethics, which may be revised, at the sole discretion of Society, from time to time.
11. I acknowledge I have read and understand this Agreement, agree to its terms and conditions, agree that the terms of this Agreement are clear and fair, and that I have entered into this Agreement willingly.
12. I agree and acknowledge that I am receiving personal benefit from the performance of the Agreement.
13. I understand my rights and obligations as stated above. I confirm that I am at least the full age of eighteen years (unless otherwise indicated below) and I am aware that by signing this Agreement I am waiving certain legal rights, including the right to claim damages which I or my heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns may have against Society.

All participants of the Arkansas Archeological Society agree to abide by and support the following Code of Conduct while participating for or serving in a formal capacity as part of the Training Program in Archeology.

1. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Participants will follow the letter and spirit of all laws, ordinances, and regulations as issued by local, state, and federal jurisdictions; and, University of Arkansas policies. This includes, but is not limited to:
- No underage use of alcohol.
- No illegal drug use.
2. Non-Discrimination: Participants will not discriminate based on and individual’s actual, perceived, or association with race/color; national or ethnic origin; age; religion; disability; sex; sexual orientation; gender; gender identity and expression; marital or parental status; military or veteran status; genetic information; and any other protected characteristic.
3. Harassment-Free Environment: Regardless of age or gender, participants will not commit sexual harassment or acts of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, bullying, intimidating, or creating a hostile environment against any fellow members, guests, visitors, or other persons working with or for the Arkansas Archeological Society, the Arkansas Archeological Survey, or their collaborators.
4. Abuse of Office: Participants who are elected or appointed to offices with the Arkansas Archeological Society will not abuse the trust and authority provided by their position for any reason.
5. Policy Compliance: Participants will fully comply with the policies set forth by the local, state, and federal agencies when using the facilities of those agencies provided for Arkansas Archeological Society activities.
6. Safety, Health, and Security: Participants will follow all applicable safety, health, and security rules and guidelines, observe safe work habits and be aware of the safety of others. Unsafe, unhealthy, or insecure working conditions should be immediately reported to those in charge of the activity.
7. Plagiarism and Academic Fraud: Participants will not claim as their own or misappropriate the ideas of others in their written or oral communications without giving appropriate credit to the originator(s) of those ideas, nor will they deliberately misrepresent the ideas or writings of others, or fabricate archeological research results with the intent to deceive or defraud.
8. Freedom from Retaliation: Participants will not retaliate on any person (witness, complainant, or respondent) involved in an investigation by the Executive Board and/or University of Arkansas for their participation in the fact-finding process associated with a reported violation of the Code of Conduct.
9. False Reporting: Participants will not willfully make a false report(s) of a violation(s) of the Code of Conduct.
10. Disciplinary Action: Any participant who violates any Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the Arkansas Archeological Society.
11. Reporting of Violations: Violations of the Code of Conduct should be reported to Dr. Alex Barker, Director of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, or to any member of the Arkansas Archeological Society’s Executive Board.