Caving with Boy Scout Troop 191

Chris Aman from Boy Scout Troop 191 contacted Philadelphia Grotto looking for help to take his Boy Scouts on a caving trip. Philadelphia Grotto is my “home” grotto, so I had the pleasure of having this Troop passed on to me.

My conversation with Chris started back in July of 2016 and we didn’t get underground until March of 2017. These things take time to pull together. 

I did have a chance to visit the Troop at one of their meeting and talk to the whole Troop about caves and caving. They are a good size. But only a portion of the boys were old enough to go on this trip. Maybe next time we’ll get some more as they age up.

Watch the video and the look over the pictures. I hope they show you how much fun these guys had underground that day.

Questions?

If you want more information about taking youth groups caving, or you're just curious about what's involved with getting kids underground, visit the National Speleological Society - Youth Group Liaison Committee at www.caves.org/youth. Or you can email me directly at allenmaddox@youcave.org.

Get Involved

YOUCave can use your help. If you have a talent that you feel would be useful to YOUCave, or can fulfill an existing opening, please email me at allenmaddox@youcave.org.

Regional Coordinator

The purpose of an NSS Youth Regional Coordinator is to provide informational assistance to cavers, grottos, and youth group leaders so they may conduct safe and appropriate cave-related experiences. In addition to caving trips, these experiences may include presentations on ethics, geology, biology, techniques, and safety, as well as other topics of speleology.    
Regional Coordinators:

• Monthly written report with:

             Progress - Accomplishments
             Plans – Projects To Do
             Problems and Challenges

• adhere to all guidelines, policies, and requirements of the National Speleological Society (NSS).
• adhere to all guidelines, policies, and requirements of the appropriate youth group organization.
• treat all youth groups with equal consideration.
• make themselves available to grottos within their region, to assist them in working with youth groups.
• make themselves available to youth groups within their region, to assist them in conducting safe caving trips and learning about caves.
• promote responsible caving practices for youth groups.
• promote responsible caving practices by grottos and cavers when working with youth groups.
  

While not required by the NSS YGLC at this time, most youth organizations may require;

• State background checks
• FBI Clearances
• Red Cross, or equivalent CPR and First Aid
• Cave Rescue training

Regions needing a Coordinator;

·         Western Region which includes California, Oregon and Nevada.

·         Ohio Valley Region which includes Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky

·         Arizona Region which includes Arizona.

·         Northwest Caving Association which includes Idaho and Oregon.

·         Texas Speleological Association which includes Texas.

Journalist

·         Contact leads and conduct interviews in person, by phone or Skype, of people participating in youth group caving trips across the USA.

·         Create and post weekly articles.

Safety Education Coordinator

·         Provide and maintain a written “Best Practices” currently recognized by the National Speleological Society Safety and Techniques Committee, Vertical Section, and National Cave Rescue Commission.

·         Serve as a liaison for the Youth Group Liaison Committee to those committees.

·         Advise and answer Regional Coordinators with questions on this topic.

Geology Education Coordinator

·         Provide education material about cave and karst geology to Regional Coordinators.

·         Oversee development of curriculum on cave and karst geology for Regional Coordinators.

·         Advise and answer Regional Coordinators with questions on this topic.

Biology Education Coordinator

·         Provide education material about cave biology to Regional Coordinators.

·         Oversee development of curriculum on cave biology for Regional Coordinators.

·         Advise and answer Regional Coordinators with questions on this topic.

Visit Our Store

Making a purchase at our store not only gets you a great t-shirt, it also helps get kids underground. Show some YOUCave love and get some swag. https://shop.spreadshirt.com/YOUCave/


Cave Safely, Cave Softly, Cave Often,
Allen