Non-Stop Caving for 43+ Years
ESSO is a local caving club (grotto) of the National Speleological Society (NSS). We are a family oriented grotto that caves locally as well as out of state. We practice and teach safe and conservative caving as well as other outdoors activities. ESSO was established in 1968. ESSO has many different committees that you can get involved in such as cave locations, trip planning, vertical, photography, land owner relations, fund raising, and more!. There are many great events through out the year like summer picnics, vertical workshops, surveying workshops, parties, as well as weekend and weeklong cave trips. ESSO does not require you to have a membership with the NSS, but strongly encourages it. As one of the most active grottos in the nation why would you not want to join ESSO? Join today!
Regular Member Dues are $15 a Year (Due Annually by the Christmas Party in December)
Family Member Dues are $25 a Year (One Voting Member in the Family)
Lifetime
Individual Member Dues are $300 each
ESSO
holds a monthly meeting on the third Monday of every month. The meeting location
is at the Flatwoods Public Library, on 1700 Argillite Road, in Flatwoods, KY. The meetings start at 7:30 PM and
usually last until around 9:00 PM, but members arrive early and stay late for
more cave talk. The meetings are open to the public and nothing is needed to
attend. At special events meetings will be held during the event.
The
directions to the meeting place are as follows: Take 23 north from Ashland, KY
to Russell, KY, Go approx. 3 lights into Russell and you will be caddy corner
from a big car dealership, Turn left there onto Argillite road and proceed a
half mile up the hill to Flatwoods, KY, Go approx. another .5 mile and
Giovanni’s and Library will be on the right side. For addition instructions
you can contact us prior to the meetings at Giovanni’s directly at 606-836-8151. Or
a ESSO Contact.
If you are interested in joining ESSO or have any questions you can contact an officer or member of the grotto (Applications are available online as well, go to the main page and click how do I join link). Dues include access to all grotto functions and library, a monthly grotto newsletter, and participation in officer elections in December. Payment of dues can be sent to our Treasurer.