Administrative Vice President Overview
Cave Management Division Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee Cave Conservancies Committee Closed Cave Database Committee Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee Land Owner Relations Committee NSS Cave Preserves Committee
Conservation Division Conservation Committee Conservation Grants Subcommittee Conservation Task Force Subcommittee Resource Preservation Committee Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission
Education Division Environmental Education Committee National Cave Rescue Commission Safety and Techniques Committee Television Video Production Committee
NSS Convention Division Convention Development Committee 2000 NSS Convention 2001 NSS Convention 2002 NSS Convention 2003 NSS Convention Junior Speleological Society Salon Coordinator
Cave Preserve Reports (Attachment C-1) Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee Report (Attachment C-2)
Cheryl Jones
The Department of the Administrative Vice President consists of 16 Committees, two Commissions, and several NSS Convention Committees. Within these are 9 Conservation Task Forces, ten Cave Preserves, six NSS Conservancies, and several sub-committees.
The current name and contact information for the chair of each organizational entity may be found at http://www.caves.org/nss-business/bog/table-4d.html#avp
Key Departmental Accomplishments and Progress:
Convention Division
Current Focus: Continue to improve the communication between convention staffs and NSS committees involved with conventions to take advantage of lessons learned and make it easier for convention staffs to accomplish their goals.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve
Education Division
Current Focus: Expand our cave and karst educational outreach programs, and raise the visibility of the NSS in connection with educational initiatives.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve
Conservation Division
Current Focus: Continue to develop new programs to foster a greater understanding of cave and karst resources and coordinate this effort with Education Division initiatives.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve
Cave Management Division
Current Focus: Work with local cavers to acquire and manage caves in a responsible way.
Highlights: Since the last AVP report, we’ve
Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee
Thom Engel (Chairman)
John M. Wilson (Chairman)
A Cave Conservancies roundtable, and symposium for cave conservancies, land trusts with caves, and related cave management were held at the 2000 NSS Convention in West Virginia .
Closed Cave Database Committee
Everett Carpenter (Chairman)
Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee
Garrett Czmor (Chairman)
Plans:
Land Owner Relations Committee
Bill Thoman (Chairman)
Gary Bush (Chairman)
General:
The Preserve Managers reports I've received are attached for the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of each report in Section II of this report, Attachment C-1. More reports are expected before the BOG meeting.
Overall, the Preserve properties are in good condition.
Plans:
Several of the Managers have questioned the need for waivers. They are difficult to administer and, they feel, of dubious value. We have lined up several lawyers in the appropriate states to work with us on a project to research land owner protection laws in the states with NSS preserves and the liability waiver issue. I plan to have a preliminary report for the Spring Meeting.
Progress:
Significant maintenance work continues at several of the Preserves, as noted below.
Issues:
Property Status:
McFails Cave (New York): A very wet Summer has reduced the number of trips into the cave ... only 3 trips were reported, with a total of 18 cavers. The Hall's Hole gate has not been replaced. Another builder is being sought. A cleanup trip was held in late May.
Shelta Cave (Alabama): (No Report received this period)
John Guilday Cave Preserve (West Virginia): The annual "Conservacation" was held in early September. The caves required minimal cleanup. The property was also canvassed for trash. The strips along the roadway had some trash from errant motorists. Trail and fence maintenance was also done.
Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve (Georgia): (No Report received this period)
Barton Hill Karst Preserve (New York): There have been 13 trips into the cave this Summer, totaling 79 visitors. The Northeastern Regional Organization donated $530 for the maintenance fund. Mr. Baumann, the adjoining landowner, has filed another suit, claiming damage to his property by cavers.
Warrens Cave (Florida): (No Report received this period)
Donald R. Russell Preserve (Oklahoma): (No Report received this period)
Schoharie Caverns (New York): Caving continues over a rainy summer, and this fall is our busy season.
Happy to note the completion of one very find outhouse with picture window overlooking the valley! Lots of folks are happy about this, too, and well as driveway improvements.
Cavers volunteering this fall for projects, so some small items may get done. The mowing contract was our best idea in a long time - it look great.
Alachua Sink Preserve (Florida): Low rainfall this Summer has kept visibility very high. There were a record number of dives these past few months. Rainfall and algae have reduced the visibility very recently. An article about the Sink was recently published in both the NSS/CDS and NACD magazines.
Donations are now being requested for money and materials to build a walk and stairs into the Sink. Plans are for a Winter completion of the project.
Tytoona Cave Preserve (Pennsylvania): Brochures about the Preserve are being dispensed at about 12 per week from the kiosk on-site. An article about the Preserve has been sent to the NSS News editor. The Manager is attempting to recruit a scout troop to repair the old walkway and steps. Failing that, the project will be undertaken by the Committee. Regular maintenance trips continue every couple of weeks. The Manager has requested the state police to be alert for vandalism on the property, since the August spray painting incident. Fence rails were sprayed, but the cave itself escaped the assault. The paint has since been removed from the fences. Another check was sent to the NSS Office by the vandal convicted last year for spray painting inside the cave. The payment was part of his court-ordered restitution of damages.
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker
NSS News Conservation Issue: We need articles on what you’ve been up to! Submit articles, updates, protection concerns, conservation opportunities, and kudos for individuals or groups to Jim & Val werks@worldnet.att.net
Encourage cavers in your respective areas to submit information, now, before the end of the year. Submit pieces of any length, from one paragraph to several pages. Let’s work together to produce a thorough overview of activities, conservation research, and cave/karst concerns throughout America. We will spotlight international material in a special section.
Kudos!
Vision 2000 for the NSS Conservation Division:
Heighten awareness of the importance of cave and karst conservation by reaching a greater diversity of audiences throughout the U.S.
Mission:
During 2001 through 2005, develop programs to strengthen public knowledge about the benefits of cave and karst protection.
Objectives:
Jim C. Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker
Seminars & Workshops
Conservation Grants Subcommittee
Albert A. Krause, Chairman
Conservation Task Force Subcommittee
Jo Schaper (Chairman)
NSS Conservation Task Forces are sub-units of the NSS designed to furnish a not-for-profit mechanism to deal with threats to caves and karst which are of either a transitory or a regional (and usually non-ownership) but ongoing nature. A CTF is formed to provide an NSS umbrella for members in common cause where caver-citizen activity, either by study, stewardship, or publicity, or a combination of all, can help landowners, managers, or other authorities to protect cave and karst resources. The NSS may provide support in the form of contacts, administrative help, loans, or direction to NSS members involved in such cave conservation activities.
Progress:
Resource Preservation Committee
Val Hildreth-Werker & Jim Werker, Co-Chairs
We are looking at broadening the potential of the Resource Preservation Committee and over the next few months will draft a new mission statement and goals for the Committee. We envision a nationwide conservation outreach program implemented by a team of individual NSS members positioned throughout the U.S.
Mammoth Cave Restoration Committee
Norm Rogers (Co-Chair) Karen Dennis (Co-Chair)
(See full report Attachment C-2)
At the August 2000 camp, by the end of the week, 43 people were at camp; three of those were full-time kitchen help. Since the Mammoth camps have been elevated to project status within the NSS and thereby gotten greater exposure among the membership, attendance has been higher this year. The NPS has also made quite an effort to offer ‘reward’ trips, which helps with attendance.
Financially, the camps are running ahead of budget, but also ahead of the scheduled number of work hours (the NSS ‘matching funds’). So far, in 48% of the contract time, we have spent 66% of the money and delivered 84% of the volunteer work hours.
In addition to a camp scheduled for October 14th and 15th, 2000, four field camps are planned for the next year.Below is the tentative schedule for 2001 as proposed by John Fry. We suggest the alternate dates to avoid bad weather in January and still maintain an even separation between camps.
| STATUS QUO SCHEDULE | ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULE |
| January 20-21 | March 3-4 |
| April 21-22 | May 5-6 |
| August 5-11 | August 5-11 |
| October 7-8 | November 3-4 |
NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission
Jay Jorden, Chair
No incidents where the Society may reward an individual or group have been brought to the attention of the commission. In the upcoming months, we plan to publicize the Society’s program.
Chuck Aklin, Division Chief
Kudos!
I am new kid on the block. Leaders of programs that are in process and successful project leaders may view a new Division leader as an intruder, but I am eager to support what works and facilitate improvement. We are only 4 months into this and have 32 months to go to accomplish my vision. We have good people working on projects. When they need my help they will ask. And, I am disgustingly persistent. – Chuck.
Progress
Environmental Education Committee
Barbara L. Moss (Chairman)
Plans:
National Cave Rescue Commission
John Punches, National Coordinator
Board Of Regional Coordinators (BORC)
Steve Meyer (Eastern Region Coordinator)
David Ashburn (Training Coordinator)
Mark Bowers (Western Region Coordinator)
Harry Burgess (Southwestern Region Coordinator)
Sam Chewning, MD (Medical Coordinator)
John Evans (Northeast Region Coordinator)
John Gookin (Rocky Mountain Region Coordinator – Interim)
John Green (South Central Region Coordinator)
Anmar Mirza (Central Region Coordinator)
Henry Nicholson (Diving Coordinator - Interim)
Mimi Ortiz (Caribbean Region Coordinator)
Jeff Parnell (Southeastern Region Coordinator)
John Punches (Pacific Northwest Region Coordinator)
Officers and Staff
Harold Chrimes (NCRC Equipment Manager)
James Davis (Education Board Member)
Andy Franklin (NCRC Discussion and Administrative List Manager)
James Hall (NCRC Inventory Officer)
Bryan Lavender (Education Board Member)
Barb Ritts (Education Board Member)
Bruce Smith (Education Board Member/NCRC Curriculum Coordinator)
Susan Thrasher (Assistant National Coordinator)
Kathy Welling (NCRC Recording Secretary/NCRC Financial Officer)
Tricia Daugherty (NCRC Database Manager)
Progress:
Plans:
Safety and Techniques Committee
William Cuddington (Chairman)
Television Video Production Committee
John P. Scheltens (Chairman)
We are now working on the following:
Carol Tiderman (Chief)
Urgent! We have no hosts for the 2004 Convention!
Convention Development Committee
Carol Tiderman (Chairman)
Since the last report, we’ve
Plans
Kelley Deem (Chairman)
A report is expected soon from the Convention Chairman. Attendance was 1288.
Bill Carr (Chairman)
Peter Jones (Co-Chair)
Kevin Harris (Co-Chair)
Progressing smoothly. Contracts being reviewed, and plans beginning to fall into place.
Peri Franz,Chair
“All under control here.”
Rick and Faye Bowersox (Co-Chairs)
Report expected before the BOG meeting.
Paul Stevens (Chairman)
McFail's Cave Preserve - Summary Report (5/15/2000 to 9/29/2000)
Progress: The unusually wet weather made for little caving at McFails these past few months. Several trips were cancelled due to high water. A cleanup of the property was conducted on 05/20/2000.
Accomplished were general trail maintenance, cutting the grass in the parking lot, and the repair of fencing around the various sinks. The permission slips for McFail's Cave and Disappointment Pit (on the McFail's Cave Preserve property) were also recently combined to make things a little easier to manage.
Problems: The person who was supposed to rebuild the gate at the Halls Hole entrance has failed to come through (even though the high water would have probably prevented any work from being accomplished). I have notified the local caving community in the hopes of finding someone else who can build the gate. Despite the lack of a gate, however, there have been no signs of trespass in the cave.
Plans: The gate and the catchment basin are still planned to be repaired. Work on a brochure for the preserve is also planned.
Trips Since Last Report:
| DATE | No. of CAVERS (Leader) | PURPOSE |
| 06/17/2000 | 8 (Oakes) | Recreation |
| 08/19/2000 | 6 (Holtsberry) | Recreation |
| 09/23/2000 | 4 (Jacobs) | Recreation |
Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Rider
Shelta Cave Preserve Report - Summer 2000
(No Report received this period)
Report of the John Guilday Preserve September 20, 2000
Progress:
About thirty people participated in the annual Conservacation at the property on the ninth of September. Parties went into all three of the main caves, where only minimal graffiti required removal, and little to no trash was found. Another crew worked on trail and fence maintenance, while a third group mined a few old trash dumps up Powder Mill Run and accumulated nine bags of trash. An additional two bags of littler were collected from both sides of US HWY 220 along the property. This last seems to have come primarily from passing vehicles. The newly improved parking area easily accommodated twenty vehicles.
Plans:
Another one next year, of course. Date to be announced.
Problems:
Thankfully, none.
Respectfully submitted
David West
Committee Chair
Kingston Saltpeter Cave Preserve --- Summer 2000
(No Report received this period)
Barton Hill Karst Preserve Report - Summer 2000
Things have been quiet on the Barton Hill Karst Preserve (BHKP). Some additional fencing has been done.
The following trips have been done:
| Date | Number | Trips |
| 5/14/00 | 4 | 1 |
| 6/10/00 | 3 | 1 |
| 6/17/00 | 4 | 1 |
| 7/03/00 | 11 | 1 |
| 7/06/00 | 4 | 1 |
| 7/09/00 | 4 | 1 |
| 7/23/00 | 11 | 2 |
| 8/06/00 | 4 | 1 |
| 8/25/00 | 5 | 1 |
| 9/09/00 | 8 | 1 |
| 9/21/00 | 11 | 1 |
| 9/22/00 | 10 | 1 |
The Northeastern Regional Organization (NRO) has donated $530 toward maintenance on the BHKP property.
The lawsuit by the Baumann's against the Society is proceeding. They have finally given us their alleged damages. These are:
"Plaintiffs have suffered the following injuries: damage to the plaintiffs' land including a 10 foot footpath that extends approximately 100 feet; trees have been cut down and brush has been removed; ruts dug into plaintiffs' land from emergency and other vehicles traversing plaintiffs' property; the continuing threat of personal liability to the plaintiff while the defendants' and their invitees and guests trespass upon the plaintiffs' land; the continuing threat and possibility of future trespass."
In my opinion, this is all nonsense. Baumann has built a part of a road on our property. This has blocked some of the natural drainage which has resulted in our access road being wet most of the time.
Additionally, persons invited on Bauman's property or crossing it have crossed our property with 4-wheel ATVs. I believe the Society should consider a counter-suit.
Respectfully submitted.
Thom Engel
Warrens Cave report for Summer 2000
(No Report received this period)
Donald R. Russell Cave Preserve Report for Summer 2000
(No Report received this period)
Schoharie Caverns Preserve Report for Summer 2000
Caving continues over a rainy summer, and this fall is our busy season.
Happy to note the completion of one very fine outhouse with a picture window verlooking the valley! Lots of folks are happy about this, too, as well as driveway improvements.
Cavers volunteering this fall for projects, so some small items may get one. The mowing contract was our best idea in a long time - it looks geat.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Addis
Chair, Schoharie Caverns Preserve
Alachua Sinks Preserve Report - Summer 2000
Here is the Alachua Sink Management Report for the summer quarter:
Summer at Alachua Sink provided some of the best diving in the system for several years. High water tables and near drought conditions kept the basin and spring nearly crystal clear allowing for a summer of record number of guided tours. Recent warm temperatures have created an algea bloom in the basin and run off from the rain has now eliminated visbility in the upper part of the system.
An article was written for publication in the NSS/CDS magazine and NACD magazine explaining a little about the Alachua Sink system, it's management and guide procedure. Though the steps built two years ago to get divers to the water has been very helpful, erosion of the path and very slippery conditions have resulted in plans being generated to build a wood walk way and stairs from the top of the sink to the water's edge. Donations of materials and dollars are being collected now for this to be winter project. If such donations fall short of the cost of materials for this project I will notify the NSS very shortly to see if they can help us with the difference.
Sorry Gary, I may have gotten a little carried away. Great diving this quarter, no problems, will notify you of $ needs in the next few weeks.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Taylor
Tytoona Cave Preserve Report (September 2000)
PLANS:
To add another brochure box that will offer NSS brochures for visitors. The present box is limited to the “Tytoona brochures” and by adding another box will give visitors more information about the NSS and how one can join the organization. This will depend on the amount and availability of brochures from the NSS.
To write an article for the NSS News about Tytoona.
Putting more pressure on the Pennsylvania State police to patrol the area at late night.
Possible resurvey of the cave system with relation to the surface topography.Add additional steps and railing to the previous ones installed years ago by the Boy Scouts. This will eliminate the not so friendly steps that exist near the bottom half of the sinkhole path that were part of the early commercial cave venture over 30 years ago.
Maintain property per needs and frequency as in periodic clean ups, maintenance of signs and brochure box, servicing cave register, vandal patrols and etc.
Keep updated with the mission of the “Friends of Sinking Valley” group who are concerned with future pollution, land development, and the pristine nature of the area of Sinking Valley.
PROGRESS:
Tytoona brochures are used at the site at a rate of about 12 per week. This is proof that visitors are interested in the preserve which I'm sure has netted possible future members in the NSS. We didn't install another brochure box before testing how the present box and brochures would hold up. The kiosk
bulletin board (on the backside of the large roofed sign) has additional information about Pennsylvania NSS Grottos and the NSS plus a listing of people and organizations that contributed money for the Tytoona Cave Preserve.
A full-length feature story about the Tytoona Cave System, which also includes maps and photos, has been sent to Dave Bunnell for the NSS News.
After the most recent but minor spray paint incident (on property, not in cave), the Pennsylvania State Police have posted a note on their barracks bulletin board to increase patrols.
It was hoped that we would be able to get a Scout Troop or Explorer Scout (perhaps Eagle badge) to undertake the new steps-railing project. Even though it seemed like a nice project for these groups, nothing locally has materialized despite some interest. We wanted to offer this project first to conservation minded youth groups but the committee may end up doing it themselves. The weather this year in this part of Pennsylvania has been on the wet side but plans are to kick off the project sometime this fall. If not completed by winter then completion will take place in the spring of 2001.
Property and cave is being maintained regularly on a two-week cycle (if not weekly by visiting cavers and committee people). A local neighbor that has residence near the preserve is also watching the property for us and has been quite helpful.
The “Friends of Sinking Valley,” a local community group with the help of Penn State University students, is doing a study on the community area in regard to future pollution threats, mass housing, and commercial development. The study of which the Tytoona Cave Preserve is included, is an attempt to make the local citizens aware of future problems and how to address them with out actually creating zoning laws. I gave a historic and geologic presentation about the cave to the students as reference to their final findings and report of which is not completed yet. I think the students are more aware of the importance now of Tytoona and its role as an underground clean water conduit to the community of which many use water through the use of wells.
Another vandal restitution check was received and forwarded to the NSS office in Huntsville. This money was part of a court order for restitution in our spray paint removal project from an incident that occurred over a year and half ago. I went to court at that time and with the help of Trooper Waye Bush was able to get the two vandals prosecuted. One vandal paid his court ordered restitution while the other one fled right after his case. This vandal was picked up on a bench warrant (related for charges on another case not related to Tytoona) and apparently the judge realized restitution was still owed. Although the full amount was not paid, it is assumed that future payments will be forthcoming.
Donations received and forwarded to the NSS office in the name of the Tytoona Cave Preserve has so far netted $5,005.00 to date.
PROBLEMS:
A few incidents occurred at the property which were taking care of. Two small signs at the parking area were removed by vandals, which we quickly replaced. The large posts that hold the “No Cave Diving” Sign was somewhat loosened by others. We have since cemented the post legs into the ground.
The most serious incident took place sometime between August 15th and August 16th, when vandals spray painted about 20 feet of the fence railing overlooking the cave entrance and sinkhole. I had the State police investigate the incident but no viable leads were found as to whom the culprits were. On August 19th, two other cavers and I easily removed the gold spray painted nasty words from the wood. We also gave the railing a coating of wax in attempt to make it harder for future vandal incidents, should they happen. On a good note, the cave did not suffer or experience any of the incidents, as it seems the vandals were interested of the surface property only.
Garrett Czmor
Tytoona Cave Preserve Manager
Progress:
At the August 2000 camp, by the end of the week, 43 people were at camp; three of those were full-time kitchen help. The work was to continue disassembly of the wooden walkway on the historic side of Echo River. The goal was to remove 100 feet of walkway to an area above the flood level near Lake Lethe. We divided into three groups: the largest, working on the bridge, another removing electrical cable, and another small crew cut and bagged wood that previously had been carried to Vanderbilt Hall. Again, the Vargo tools proved invaluable.
By Tuesday, however, it became obvious we would have to "do the tower" (remove wood from the cave) because we were running out of bags. We had over 600 bags of wood in the cave. Wednesday, we abandoned the disassembly and cutting work and removed three dump truck loads of wood from the cave. One truck full is estimated to be about 6,000 pounds.
Thursday was a rest and recreation day. The Park is slowly adjusting its off-trail policy to accommodate for educational trips for us. One group went to Colossal Cave, while the rest went on a half-day tour. The Park’s apparent change of policy on cave trips is a good thing that will attract volunteers in the future. However, I plan to recommend that trips either be after hours or on Saturday. A full day’s work is a lot of productivity to loose.
In the middle of the night, the Corps of Engineers upstream of Mammoth Cave decided to let a lot of water downstream. Friday morning, the work area on Echo River was eight feet under water. So, we went to Ole Bulls Concert Hall on the elevator side, where a large amount of bagged wood was cached. We moved all the bags to Pams Paradise, half way to the elevator.
Because of the recreation day and the flood, we disassembled only 62 feet of walkway. At this rate, it could take eight years to finish the project. Normally, hauling loads up the tower and work on the elevator side is reserved for weekend camps, but, because of the backlog and the flooding, we could not postpone doing that work. Once the work on the elevator side is finished, progress on removing the walkway should accelerate.
Since the Mammoth camps have been elevated to project status within the NSS and thereby gotten greater exposure among the membership, attendance has been higher this year. The NPS has also made quite an effort to offer ‘reward’ trips, which helps with attendance.
Financially, the camps are running ahead of budget, but also ahead of the scheduled number of work hours (the NSS ‘matching funds’). So far, in 48% of the contract time, we have spent 66% of the money and delivered 84% of the volunteer work hours.
We have received a total of $80,000 from the National Park Service, and have distributed a total of $52,946.62, for a book balance of $27,053.38 The bank balance as of 1 August 2000 was $37,489.94, since there are still many uncashed checks. (Most of the uncashed checks were written and mailed this week. There is only about $275.00 in older checks not cashed yet.) As of the 1st of August 2000, we have received total net interest on the account of $392.92 (received interest of $703.30 and have paid out bank fees of $309.38).
The accumulated budgeted versus actual dollar spending and work hours are in the following table.
| $ | $ | $ | Hours | Hours | Hours | ||||
| Budgeted | Actual | over budget | % of budget | Budgeted | Actual | over budget | % of budget | ||
| Aug-98 | 4,902.00 | 6,195.84 | 1,293.84 | 126% | 720 | 1024 | 304 | 142% | |
| Oct-98 | 3,844.00 | 3,157.06 | -686.94 | 82% | 216 | 216 | 0 | 100% | |
| Jan-99 | 3,844.00 | 6,585.36 | 2,741.36 | 171% | 216 | 464 | 248 | 215% | |
| Apr-99 | 3,844.00 | 4,552.16 | 708.16 | 118% | 216 | 296 | 80 | 137% | |
| Aug-99 | 4,362.00 | 7,938.50 | 3,576.50 | 182% | 720 | 1168 | 448 | 162% | |
| Oct-99 | 3,844.00 | 6,851.06 | 3,007.06 | 178% | 216 | 444 | 228 | 206% | |
| Jan-00 | 3,844.00 | 4,449.46 | 605.46 | 116% | 216 | 288 | 72 | 133% | |
| Apr-00 | 3,844.00 | 3,452.92 | -319.08 | 90% | 216 | 216 | 0 | 100% | |
| *Aug-00 | 4,362.00 | 9,764.26 | 5,402.26 | 224% | 720 | 1616 | 896 | 224% | |
| Oct-00 | |||||||||
| cum total | 36,690.00 | 52,946.62 | 16,256.62 | 144% | 3456 | 5732 | 2276 | 166% |
* August data is preliminary
Income and outgo, by quarter:
| Quarter | Grant | Interest | Total Income | Field Camps | Bank fees | Total Outgo |
| Jul-Sep 1998 | 12,500.00 | 12,500.00 | 6,195.84 | 6,195.84 | ||
| Oct-Dec 1998 | 12,500.00 | 14.23 | 12,514.23 | 3,157.06 | 3,157.06 | |
| Jan-Mar 1999 | 12,500.00 | 68.49 | 12,568.49 | 6,585.36 | 58.92 | 6,644.88 |
| Apr-Jun 1999 | 20,000.00 | 100.42 | 20,100.42 | 4,552.16 | 36.36 | 4,588.52 |
| Jul-Sep 1999 | 7,500.00 | 126.88 | 7,626.88 | 7,938.50 | 39.00 | 7,977.50 |
| Oct-Dec 1999 | 7,500.00 | 113.28 | 7,613.28 | 6,851.06 | 47.70 | 6,898.76 |
| Jan-Mar 2000 | 7,500.00 | 118.64 | 7,618.64 | 4,449.46 | 45.90 | 4,495.36 |
| Apr-Jun 2000 | 121.96 | 121.96 | 3,452.92 | 66.50 | 3,519.42 | |
| Jul-Sep 2000** | 39.40 | 39.40 | 9,764.26 | 15.00 | 9,779.26 | |
| Total | 80,000.00 | 703.30 | 80,703.30 | 52,946.62 | 309.38 | 53,256.00 |
**Jul-Sep 2000 figures are preliminary.
Plans:
In addition to a camp scheduled for October 14th and 15th, 2000, four field camps are planned for the next year.Below is the tentative schedule for 2001 as proposed by John Fry. We suggest the alternate dates to avoid bad weather in January and still maintain an even separation between camps.
| STATUS QUO SCHEDULE | ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULE |
| January 20-21 | March 3-4 |
| April 21-22 | May 5-6 |
| August 5-11 | August 5-11 |
| October 7-8 | November 3-4 |
We project that there are funds in the account to adequately cover at least another year of field camps (October 2000 through August 2001), at the rate we have been distributing reimbursement. There is probably enough money for another camp in October 2001. After that, we will have to re-negotiate with the National Park Service. There may be an opportunity for further grants, or they may want to continue the camps with no reimbursements.
Problems:
Mammoth Cave has somehow double-booked the Maple Springs facility for October, the time scheduled for our next field camp. CRF has invited us to use their new facility, which should be complete by then. The cost for the CRF field house is $6.00 per night and our agreement allows us $4.00 per night for Maple Springs. John Fry has approved the extra $2.00 per person per night for us to use the CRF facility in October.
The CRF will move into their new facility at Hamilton Valley in October. With them they will take all the cooking utensils, cookware, microwave, and refrigerator that belongs to them. Due to regulations, the Park cannot replace these things. Although we have purchased many things ourselves, it wouldn’t be wise to try to replace everything. This situation will make it very difficult to run a summer camp from Maple Springs. The weekend camps will be no problem since we do not cook or eat as a group and most people choose to eat at restaurants. My recommendation is we accept the CRF’s invitation to use the Hamilton Valley facility for the summer camps. It only costs $2 more per night per person and avoids the ferry ride across the Green River.
The contract with the NPS does not cover the problems that may occur when the amount of money left in the account is not enough to completely reimburse another field camp. We must consider what to do with any remainder or partial disbursements.
Also, our agreement with the Park Service does not address what happens when the money has all been spent (before the five years are up). We suggest that the NSS start discussions with the NPS ahead of time, so we will be prepared.