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 FormOur Monthly Meetings
Meetings are open to anyone interested in caves and committed to cave conservation. Meetings are usually held the third Tuesday of each month with many exceptions. At each meeting we discuss Grotto business, trip reports and plan future trips. Many 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 2012 CCG Meetings: Jan 17, Feb 17*, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug 21, Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 13*, Dec 18* (* not typical date).
Location, Date, and Time of meetings can change. Non-members should call contact number or email info@ctcavers.org to confirm before heading out.
Feb 17, 2012 Friday 7 pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
This meeting is at a member's home in Plainville. Non-member cavers and
future cavers are welcome. For directions, email
info@ctcavers.org or call 203-640-6703 or 203-560-0308.
Jan 17, 2012 Tuesday 7 pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
This meeting is at a member's home in Southington. Details are sent to members.
Non-member cavers and future cavers are welcome. For directions, email
info@ctcavers.org or call 860-621-2080 or 203-560-0308.
Dec 13, 2011 Tuesday 6:30pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting with Elections and Holiday Party
Note, this meeting is a week earlier than usual, and at a member's home in Southington.
Info at December Meeting Details
are sent to members. Non-member cavers and future cavers are welcome. For directions,
email info@ctcavers.org or call 860-621-2080
or 203-560-0308.
Nov 15, 2011 Tuesday 7pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
At the UCONN campus in Storrs, CT, room 410 of the Student Union. For more about
this meeting, email info@ctcavers.org
or call Jonathan at 203-560-0308 and Steve M at 203-640-6703.
Oct 30, 2011 Sunday in Watertown CT:
Monthly Grotto Meeting and Vertical Training Session Cancelled
due to snow.
The day's activities will start at 10:00 AM on Sunday Oct 30th with a brief
break around noon for lunch and the October grotto meeting. All this will be happening
in Watertown, CT. We will go over rope skills as used in vertical caving.
This includes everything from basic skills like ascending and descending, doing
change-overs, passing knots or distressed parts of the rope, tying knots and rigging
skills, to more advanced skills like multiple re-belays. If you have your
own harness and vertical gear please bring it and we can assist in adjusting it
if needed. For those without personal gear, the CCG has a variety of vertical gear
for you to use. Other nearby activities include miles of hiking and a Leatherman's
Cave. CCG Members will be emailed detailed information and directions. Non-members,
please contact Jonathan at info@ctcavers.org
and 203-560-0308 or Felicia at Isabella.felicia@gmail.com.
Sept 20, 2011 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 info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons or call Jonathan at 203-560-0308.
Aug 21, 2011 Sunday: Monthly
Grotto Meeting and more
Note change in date and location. An early afternoon meeting and day of 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 and include "CCG meeting" in the subject line
or call Steve M at 203-640-6703.
July 12, 2011 (2nd) 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 info call 860-674-9570 (days) and ask for Bob Simmons or call Jonathan at 203-560-0308.
June 11, 2011 Saturday 5pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
Note date and location. Meeting is at
Sleeping Giant State Park. Check out the talus caves in the park, cookout,
and CCG monthly meeting. Details are sent to members. Non-members, please contact
info@ctcavers.org and 203-640-6703 or 203-560-0308.
Bad weather may postpone meeting, call if in doubt. Update 6/11: Due to weather
- Location changed - call for info 860-621-2080 or 203-640-6703 or 203-560-0308.
May 7, 2011 Saturday 5pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
Note date and location. This meeting is at a caver's home in Southington. Cavers
and future cavers are welcome. Details are sent to members. Non-members, please
contact info@ctcavers.org and 860-621-2080.
Bad weather may postpone meeting, call if in doubt.
April 9, 2011 Saturday in Watertown CT:
Monthly Grotto Meeting and Vertical Training Session
The day's activities will start at 10:00 AM on Saturday April 9th (rain date
is Apr 30th) with a brief break around noon for lunch and the April meeting of the
CCG. All this will be happening in Watertown, CT. We will go over rope skills
as used in vertical caving. This includes everything from basic skills like ascending
and descending, doing change-overs, passing knots or distressed parts of the rope,
tying knots and rigging skills, to more advanced skills like multiple re-belays.
If you have your own harness and vertical gear please bring it and we can assist
in adjusting it if needed. For those without personal gear, the CCG has a variety
of vertical gear for you to use. Other nearby activities include miles of hiking
and a Leatherman's Cave. CCG Members will be emailed detailed information and
directions. Non-members, please contact Jonathan at
info@ctcavers.org and 203-560-0308 or Felicia Millett at
Isabella.felicia@gmail.com.
March 15, 2011 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.
Feb 15, 2011 Tuesday 7pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
At the UCONN campus in Storrs, CT (in the
Arjona building room 311). For more about this meeting, email
info@ctcavers.org or call Jonathan at 203-560-0308 and Steve M at 203-640-6703.
Jan 23, 2011 Sunday 4pm:
Monthly Grotto Meeting
(postponed from 1/18) This meeting is in Plainville, CT (at Steve and Felicia's
house). Details are sent to members. Non-member cavers and future cavers are welcome.
For more about this meeting:, email info@ctcavers.org
or call Jonathan at 203-560-0308 and Steve M at 203-640-6703.
Past CCG activities and meetings: 2007-2008 2009-2010
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 (2012)
Contact officers at info@ctcavers.org.
More contact info is at About the CCG .
Chair - Jonathan Le May
Vice Chair - Steve Millett
Treasurer - Norm Berg
Secretary - Bob Simmons
Webmaster - Norm Berg
Membership - Emily Ray
Safety - Doug Truitt
Conservation - Bob Simmons
Vertical - Felicia Millett
Equipment - Steve Millett
Newsletter (the Underground Movement) - Danny Brass
Member at Large - Jansen Cardy
Steve in Roxbury Mine
Gage Cave - the wet side
CCG and other Activities and Events
Notice of caving restrictions due to bat illness (WNS) - updated Oct 2011:
The Northeastern Cave Conservancy (NCC) is closing three of its caves for the winter, effective October 3, to protect hibernating bats in response to the continuing White Nose Syndrome crisis. The affected caves are Knox Cave, Crossbones Cave, and Merlin's Cave all in New York State. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Knox and Crossbones will re-open in the spring. Merlin's opening is also dependant on parking and other site work.
The National Speleological Society(NSS) is closing its three New York cave preserves effective October 3. These are Schoharie Caverns, Gage Cave (Barton Hill Preserve), and McFail’s Cave.
All caver are asked to follow cleaning and disinfection procedures, which can be found at White Nose Syndrome Page Thank you for your cooperation.
The CCG has more activities than are listed here. Become a CCG member and receive emailed announcements of all CCG activities, even before they are listed on this website.
June 25-29, 2012: NSS Convention in Lewisbury, West Virginia. The annual national convention of the National Speleological Society. More at NSS 2012 Convention.
May 18-20, 2012: Spring
2012 NRO
The Vermont Cavers Association is hosting this year's Spring NRO (Northeastern
Regional Organization) at
Howell's Camping Area in Arlington VT.
March 4, 2012 Sunday:
NCC Board Meeting
The board meeting of the Northeastern Cave Conservancy. See the NCC website for
more info http://www.necaveconservancy.org
December 17, 2011 Saturday: Clarksville Cave in Clarksville NY. Easy paced beginner-novice trip to a popular mostly horizontal and somewhat wet cave. Meet at the parking lot at the cave at or before 11 am. If you would like to share a ride please email trip leader. The CCG has helmet-light sets that cavers can reserve. If you are going or thinking about going, please email me and include your full name and phone number(s), and I will reply with my cell phone number and additional details about the trip. Should there be a change in the meeting time or cancellation due to poor weather, we will contact you. Trip leader: Norm Berg can be reached at nb.website@cox.net (put "Clarksville Cave" in the subject line) and 860-621-2080. Co-Leader is Doug Truitt.
Dec 4, 2011 Sunday: NCC
Board Meeting near Schoharie, NY
The board meeting of the Northeastern Cave Conservancy. See the NCC website for
more info http://www.necaveconservancy.org
Oct 22-23, 2011: NCRC
Weekend Orientation to Cave Rescue
The weekend course provides an introduction to the materials presented and
skills developed during the NCRC week-long Cave Rescue Operations and Management
Seminars. In the Albany-Schoharie area.
More info
Oct 14-16, 2011: Fall
2011 VAR
The Tidewater Grotto and RASS are teaming up to co-host the Fall VAR at the
RASS field station. More at varegion.org
October 8, 2011, morning: Surface
Features of the Park River in Hartford, CT
A CCG trip to acquaint cavers with the Park River which is partly in conduit
under Hartford. Being an underground river, it has attracted the interest of cavers
and kayakers. We will start with a walking tour of the area in and around Bushnell
Park and walk above the river then drive to the north and south entrances and to
the resurgence at the Conn River. For more info call Norm at 860-621-2080.
October 1, 2011, 6-10PM: NCC
Barn Dance in Knox NY area
Fundraiser for the Northeastern Cave Conservancy. Contras, squares and folk
dancing for all with a live fiddle band playing traditional Early American, Celtic,
French-Canadian, Old-time and original fiddle tunes (jigs, reels, waltzes). No experience
necessary, all dances are taught. Much more info is at
NCC Music and Dance
Sept 16-18, 2011: Fall
2011 NRO
The fall meeting of the NRO (Northeastern Regional Organization). More info
at Fall 2011 NRO.
July 18-22, 2011: NSS Convention in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The annual national convention of the National Speleological Society. More at NSS 2011 Convention.
July 3, 2011 Sunday: Morris
Cave in Danby, VT
Trip to Morris Cave. We are planning to meet at the cave at 10 AM. *** PLEASE
NOTE THAT THIS CAVE HAS A TIGHT PINCH THAT TURNS PEOPLE AWAY! *** Afterward we'll
probably go swimming at the marble quarry in Dorset, VT. It's a good place to
get clean and jump off the cliff (20 ft max?) Email leader Lee B. at
liana.m.boop@gmail.com
July 2, 2011 Saturday:
Small Marble Cave in MA.
A small group of CT cavers will be visiting a small marble cave in Mass. If interested,
please contact Jonathan at lemayje@gmail.com
June 18, 2011 Saturday:
Cave Cleanup at Baugh Cave in town of Howe's Cave, NY
Over the past 6 years cavers have removed trash from this cave to restore its natural
state. We are looking for volunteers of any experience level to help with the efforts.
This was once a pile of garbage 10ft high; now it's a 70ft deep rappel into
a cave 126ft deep. This cave is on private property and access has only been granted
for this event, so now is your chance to see a small, but challenging and unique
cave. Optional camping in area. Links to:
photos and article and
photos. For gear needed and more info, contact Steve M at 203-640-6703
or Joe A at gonecaving@hotmail.com.
June 5, 2011 Sunday: NCC
Board Meeting in Delmar, NY
The board meeting of the Northeastern Cave Conservancy. See the NCC website for
more info http://www.necaveconservancy.org
June 5, 2011 Sunday: Hasbrouck Mine. In Kingston, NY. Climbing practice at the test-cut, and take a trip into the limestone mine. Beginners are welcome. The CCG has some helmets and lights that beginners can borrow if reserved in advance. For more info, meeting place and time, please contact: Felicia Millett isabella.felicia@gmail.com 917-981-1942 and put "Hasbrouck Mine" in the subject line.
June 4, 2011 Saturday afternoon: (Date may change) Clarksville Cave 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. or call 860-62102080. Please put "Clarksville Cave" in the subject line, and include your full name and a phone number. Clarksville Cave info: Clarksville Cave.
May 13-15, 2011: Spring
2011 NRO
The Northern New Jersey Grotto is hosting this year's Spring NRO (Northeastern
Regional Organization) in Newton, NJ. While the caves in northwestern New Jersey
are bit on the small size, there are a wealth of above ground activities both on-site
the NRO venue, as well as in the surrounding area (such as hiking, mountain/road
biking, and canoeing- kayaking). More details at
Spring NRO If you have any questions, comments, etc. please feel free to
contact either Mark Skove, Spring 2011 NRO Chairman, at
nnjg_caver@tellurian.net or Barclay Foord, NNJG Chairman, at
foordmore@yahoo.com.
May 13-15, 2011: Spring 2011 MAR near Shady Gap, PA. More at MAR Spring 2011 Field Meet and http://www.karst.org/fcg/
April 29 - May 1, 2011: Spring 2011 VAR in Durbin, WV. More at VAR Spring 2011 Field Meet.
April 16 - 23, 2011: NCRC Cave Rescue Operations and Management Seminar in Puerto Rico. The seminar consists of extensive classroom and field work in all phases of cave rescue including underground environment, vertical rescue, hauling systems, extrication techniques, medical management, communication systems, and the organization and management of cave rescue operations. Basic and advanced course material. More at NCRC Seminar.
April 14, 2011 Thursday 5:30pm: The Mystery of the Giant Crystals of Naica Mine A presentation at the Yale Peabody Museum. In 2000 the world was taken by storm by the news of huge gypsum crystals - up to 36 feet long - discovered in a lead and silver mine in Naica, Mexico. Lecture details: http://peabody.yale.edu/events/ostrom-talk/mystery-giant-crystals) .
April 9, 2011 Saturday: Vertical Training Session See CCG meting on April 9 (on left side of this page).
March 20, 2011 Sunday:
NCC Board Meeting in Delmar, NY
The board meeting of the Northeastern Cave Conservancy. See the NCC website for
more info http://www.necaveconservancy.org
March 19, 2011 Saturday: 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: Alisa Werst at info@ctcavers.org. Please put "Clarksville Cave" in the subject line, and include your full name and a phone number. Clarksville Cave info: Clarksville Cave.
Feb 2011: Onesquethaw Cave Near (but not in) Clarksville, NY. Trip depends on weather and snow. This is a beginner level trip (in warm weather). The CCG has a some helmets and headlamps available with advance reservations. For info please contact the trip leader: Jonathan LeMay at info@ctcavers.org. Please put "Onesquethaw Cave" in the subject line, and include your full name and a phone number. Cave info: Onesquethaw Cave.