When: Each year, we usually get 2 collecting trips, spring and fall, organized by the Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies into the St Mary’s Quarry.
This location is NOT open to collecting by individuals or groups other than these scheduled trips. The trips are open to all members of CCFMS. No fee is charged, however, a CCFMS affiliated club membership card needs to be produced prior to entry.
Pre-registration with the trip leader (Kevin Kidd – kevjenn1998@yahoo.ca) is required so we have a good idea of the number of participants.
Conditions: This is a working quarry. Collectors must be 16 years of age by law. No exceptions. You will require full safety equipment which includes safety helmet, safety goggles, CSA Approved "green patch" steel-toed safety work boots and a reflective safety vest. A sign-in, sign-out policy is in effect.
Liability Waiver: You must be a current club member of a CCFMS Club. You will be asked to show your rock club membership card as proof. You will be required to sign in with the Trip Leader and sign a liability waiver. You are expected to follow all instructions regarding safety, collecting & courtesy as outlined during the safety talk before entry to the quarry.
Arrival & Departure: Plan to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. Check in with the Trip Leader on arrival. All collectors need to attend the group safety talk at 8:45 a.m. Entry to the quarry is at 9 a.m. sharp. If you plan on leaving prior to the end of the scheduled visit, inform the trip leader. The departure time will be stated at the beginning of the day. 5 minutes before departure, you will hear honking. This is your signal to do your final packing up and to leave. There is a sign-in/sign-out policy in effect. Failure to sign out may affect your future CCFMS field trip privileges. This is a very large quarry and we don't want to search for you if you have already gone for the day.
Directions: Exit 401 at Bowmanville Ave formerly Waverly Rd (Exit #431). Go south on Bowmanville Ave, turn right just before the St Mary Cement Co. sign (as in the above picture) and after about a couple hundred yards will be first entrance with building on the left.. This is the office and entrance to the quarry. Turn left into the parking lot. This is the meeting place. After the safety talk we will drive in a convoy into the quarry. You may drive directly to the designated collecting sites within the quarry with your car. However, this may change if there is work being done that day.
We want to thank St Mary's for their continued access to their property.