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What is the Central Connecticut Grotto of the National Speleological Society?

The Central Connecticut Grotto (CCG) is a local chapter of The National Speleological Society (NSS). The CCG shares the goals of other NSS Grottos, which are to organize trips, offer training, practice cave conservation, and generally provide a framework for enjoying and studying caves. The Central Connecticut Grotto welcomes new members who are interested in caves and committed to cave conservation. Join us - print the membership form: Central Connecticut Grotto Membership Form

Our Regular Meetings

Meetings are open to anyone interested in caves and committed to cave conservation. Meetings are usually held the third Tuesday of each month. At each meeting we discuss Grotto business, trip reports and plan future trips. Most meetings also have a presentation; either a talk, demonstration, slides, or video. It is not necessary to attend meetings to be a Grotto member, though we would like you to attend.

All 2009 CCG Meetings: Jan 20, Feb 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug 15, Sept 15, Oct 20, Nov 18, Dec 15.

Dec 15, 2009 Tuesday 6:30pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting with Elections and Holiday Party
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. Details on this meeting are here December Meeting

Nov 18, 2009 Wednesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
Note change of day. At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. For a view of HRP from Google Earth see HRP. For direction related info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons.

Oct 20, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. For a view of HRP from Google Earth see HRP. For direction related info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons.

Sept 15, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
This meeting is held in Southington. We will critique the Fall NRO event, discuss past and upcoming trips, and likely have an informal presentation on recent cave exploration. Meeting details and directions will be emailed to CCG members. Cavers and future cavers are welcome. For more info:  info@ctcavers.org and 860-621-2080 

August 15, 2009 Saturday: Monthly Grotto Meeting and more
Note change in date and location.  An afternoon meeting and recreation (kayaking, boating) at a members home on Long Island Sound in Gilford, CT. Detailed info will be send to members. Non-members, please email info@ctcavers.org.

July 21, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. For a view of HRP from Google Earth see HRP. For direction related info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons.

June 16, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
This meeting is at the summer location in Southington. Details are sent to members. Cavers and future cavers are welcome. info@ctcavers.org and 860-621-2080

May 19, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. For a view of HRP from Google Earth see HRP. For direction related info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons.

April 21, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
Note change in location for this meeting. Held at the "Wrench in the Works Collective"  861 Main St in Willimantic, CT 06226.  www.wrenchintheworks.org/. Presentation is "The Dark Side of the Park River" about the Park River under Hartford, plus narratives and tall tales by those who claim to have been there. The business meeting will include a discussion of the recent cave closures and the upcoming Spring NRO. Questions? call 860-621-2080.

March 17, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032.

Feb 17, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
Presentation on the recent CCG West Virginia caving adventure. At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. For a view of HRP from Google Earth see HRP. For direction related info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons.

Jan 20, 2009 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032.

Dec 16, 2008 Tuesday 6:30pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting with Elections and Holiday Party
At HRP Associates, 197 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT 06032. Details on this meeting are here December Meeting

Nov 18, 2008 Tuesday 7pm: Monthly Grotto Meeting
Slideshow (real slides) and talk about southeast caves. At HRP Associates

Connecticut Caves and Other Wonders

For info on Connecticut caves, nearby commercial caves, scout group caving, guided trips, classes, certifications, and local caving guidebooks please see our FAQ page.  Frequently Asked Questions

Officers and Committees

Contact officers at info@ctcavers.org.
More contact info is at About the CCG .

Chair - Norm Berg
Vice Chair - Seamus Decker
Treasurer - Lee DelValle
Secretary - Bob Simmons
Webmaster - Norm Berg
Membership - Emily Ray
Safety - Doug Truitt
Conservation - Garth Varian
Vertical - Chris Goodman
Equipment - Diane Lucas
Newsletter (the Underground Movement) - Chris Goodman
Member at Large - Jansen Cardy

CCG and other Activities and Events

Notice of caving restrictions due to bat illness (WNS) - updated Sept 29, 2009:

The Northeastern Cave Conservancy (NCC) is closing three of its caves for the winter, effective October 1, 2009, to protect hibernating bats in response to the continuing White Nose Syndrome crisis. The affected caves are Knox Cave, Crossbones Cave, and Ella Armstrong Cave, all in New York State. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the caves will re-open in the spring. The other caves owned and managed by the NCC will remain open for visitation under regular visitation policies. Details about all NCC caves and visitation may be found at www.necaveconservancy.org.

The National Speleological Society (NSS) will close its New York caves on Oct 1, 2009. These are: Schoharie Caverns, Gage Cave (Barton Hill Preserve), and McFail’s Cave.

All cave visitors are asked to follow cleaning and decontamination procedures of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which can be found at http://caves.org/WNS/index.htm. Many caves in the eastern U.S. remain closed in the effort to control the spread of WNS and enable the recovery of the bat population. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Some CCG activities are not listed on this website. Become a CCG member and receive emailed announcements of all CCG activities.

Saturday Oct 3, 2009: Bentley's Cave in Rensselaer County, NY. The CCG has a some helmets and headlamps available with advance reservations. For info contact the trip leader: Lori Autorino at info@ctcavers.org and 860-742-0047.  Please put "Bentley's Cave" in the subject line, and include your full name and a phone number.

Sept 11-13, 2009:  The 2009 Fall NRO
The fall meeting of the NRO (Northeastern Regional Organization) will be held in Pittsfield Mass. Much more info is at Fall 2009 NRO.

July 19-26, 2009: 2009 NSS Convention To be held in conjunction with the 15th International Congress of Speleology in Kerrville, Texas. ICS2009

July 31 - Aug 2, 2009: Caving in the Adirondacks
The Touchy Sword of Damocles, TSOD, used to be considered the world's largest talus cave, but they changed the definitions a few years ago and it's now considered a system of smaller caves. It sits under the 1000 foot cliff of Wallface and is basically a pile of overgrown house sized boulders with passages and rooms between and underneath. There's likely to be ice in the depths for most of the summer. Interested? Contact Jeff MacDonald at caver@silverfool.com and put "Caving in the ADK" in the subject line.

July 12, 2009: Small mine in Connecticut Assistance wanted with mapping and photography. Contact Bob Simmons at rwsimmons1@msn.com and 860-738-1176.

Sunday June 21, 2009: Onesquethaw Cave Contact Chris Goodman via info@ctcavers.org and put "Onesquethaw Cave" in the subject line.

May 15-17, 2009: 2009 Spring NRO
Spring meeting of the NRO (Northeastern Regional Organization) hosted by the Vermont Cavers Association and held in Leicester, Vermont at Country Village Campground.  For more info: Spring NRO.

June 2009: NCRC Cave Rescue Training in Indiana www.ncrc.info

Sunday May 10, 2009: Park River Kayak-Canoe
See a portion of the underground section of the Park River in Hartford. Access is from the East Hartford side of the Connecticut River. Must be able to handle fast water and boat wake. For details please contact Alisa at info@ctcavers.org and put "Park River" in the subject line and include your full name and a phone number.

Saturday March 28, 2009: Clarksville Cave (aka Ward Gregory) in Clarksville NY. This is a beginner level trip. The CCG has a some helmets and headlamps available with advance reservations. For info contact the trip leader: Norm Berg at info@ctcavers.org and 860-621-2080.  Please put "Clarksville Cave" in the subject line, and include your full name and a phone number. Clarksville Cave info: Clarksville Cave

Saturday Feb 7, 2009: Caving in Albany County This is a beginner level trip. The CCG has a some helmets and headlamps available with advance reservations. For details please contact Alisa at alisa.werst@yahoo.com  and include "Caving in Albany County" in the subject line.

Past CCG activities are at: Past Activities