Laurel Caverns – Caving – REGISTRATION OPEN

Fri 7 Oct 2016, 6:00 pm - Sun 9 Oct, 1:00 pm

Laurel Caverns

Hopewood, PA

Troop 333 is headed caving at Laurel Caverns in western Pennsylvania!

Depart: Friday, October 7, 6pm from Christ Church Episcopal
Return: Sunday, October 9, ~1pm to Drugmart Parking Lot

Overnight: Greater Pittsburgh BSA Council Heritage Reservation (Tent Camping)

• Friday: Drive to campsite (~3 1/2 hours), set up camp.
• Saturday: Caving and weather permitting, other possible activities hiking, scout advancement.
• Sunday: Breakfast, break camp by noon.

Cost:  Scouts and Parents: $ 30 each person (bring a check to the October 4th troop meeting)

Directions from Heritage Camp to Laurel Caverns (about 30 minutes)

Meals: 

List of Items to Bring:

• Signed Laurel Caverns permission slip (print and bring to the Sept 18 troop meeting)
• CLASS B Troop 333 (yellow or green) T-shirt
• Appropriate other clothing for weather
• Changes of clothes!! (mandatory we will be getting wet and muddy – shirt, pants, socks, shoes, and underwear should be in a small bag that can be brought to the caves)
• Daypack/knapsack; water bottle(s) or Camelback
• Tent and ground cloth – Scouts need tent partner
• Sleeping bag, pillow, warm sleeping clothes
• Two flashlights (no key chain lights)
• Hiking boots, and extra pair of dry shoes for exploring, extra dry socks
• Rain gear
• Toiletries and Hat or Cap; shower supplies & towel(s)
• Compass and Small First Aid Kit
• Scout Handbook; any other materials for advancement

Additional Details:

We will be doing the lower caving at Laurel Caverns.

Caving is the more contemporary term for what is popularly called spelunking.  It refers to going into a cave completely in its natural state.  Due to its conservation mission, Laurel Caverns is the only developed cave in the world having its largest rooms and passages completely in their original state.  Because the elevation difference from the upper passages of Laurel Caverns to its lower passages is about 45 stories (450 feet) two caving activities (i.e. spelunking) have been created.  For the most part, these two trips cover different parts of the cave, though both have in common the main passages of the traditional tour as well as the ballroom and the bat room.

*VERY IMPORTANT*

Both trips require participants to bring at least two good sources of light.    Also, each must wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and shoes with good tread and ankle support.  Laurel Caverns will supply the hard hats. Each participant must also fill out and sign a release form.  Links to the permission slips can be found above. The cave temperature is 52 degrees.  Bring a change of clothing; this is a real caving trip and participants will get the wet sands of the cave on their clothing.

Both trips also require a signed release form which, for anyone under 18 years of age, must also be signed by a parent or legal guardian.  These forms must be read carefully for they will tell you three things.  First, they convey a sense of the risks associated with high adventure caving.  Second, they will help you decide which caving alternative is best for your group.  Finally, they tell participants how to properly prepare for their trip.

 Any individual under the age of 18 arriving without a parentally signed release form or not properly prepared will not be admitted to a caving activity.   Trip sponsors and leaders may not sign for anyone as a proxy for the parent.

** Drivers **

Please get the following information to Steve M. ASAP for the tour permit (and so we can make sure that we have enough sets):

• Driver name
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicle make/model/year/number of seats with seat belts
• Insurance company name and limits

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