Welcome to the Colorado Region web page. My name is Dan Sullivan and I have been a member of the local caving club, called a grotto, since 1993. Our club welcomes new members as do the rest of the clubs in the state. Please feel free to contact me with your questions, and I will try to help find club members to guide your group.
http://www.nssio.org/Find_Grotto.cfm
There are some great opportunities available here in Colorado for youth to enjoy a safe caving experience. You must always keep in mind that caving in general is a fun but potentially dangerous sport. Caving is something you should never do alone, and always tell someone you trust where you have gone and when you plan to return. You must also prepare yourself with the proper equipment and light sources in order to explore a cave in a safe manner. I highly recommend that a kid's first cave experience be a visit to one of the two commercial caves in the state. For information about these caves, go to www.caves.org/youth and click on the Wild Cave Tours button.
Both offer group rates and special programs designed for different age groups These usually include lessons in geology and cave life such as bats. Open year around, they can accommodate groups of any size. This is very important when trying to take a whole class or Scout Troop caving.
When visiting wild or undeveloped caves, the size of the group should have a ratio of 2 to 4 youths per adult leader, depending upon age. As a general rule, there should be no more than 12 people total on a trip at one time. This should include two experienced cave guides from the 5 local clubs in the state. If your group size is larger than this, you should plan accordingly and schedule two or three different trips
Due to the unique geology of Colorado, extensive cave systems are not common here. Caves are generally formed in limestone, which is found in small quantities around the state. Most are found in the mountainous areas around Glenwood and Eagle. These are called alpine caves and, in general, are cold and wet, usually with a temperature in the 30's and 40's. There are several caves in the area that are popular with youth groups and the general public.
One area that is close to the Front Range is on the private property of Cave of the Winds. The clubs in the state work with the cave owner to provide access to our club members through the Williams Canyon Project, an NSS-sponsored project.
http://www.wcp.coloradocaves.org/
I am a trip leader for the Williams Canyon Project. This is where most youth group trips go as it is one of the few areas along the Front Range that contain cave-forming limestone.
There are some rules that must be followed in order for your group to go caving in Williams Canyon. Read the brochures on the Youth Groups website, and look over the equipment checklist.
There are no restrooms in the caves. The rules of caving in Williams Canyon state that all trip participants must carry and use a pee bottle.
I highly recommend wearing old clothes, along with gloves, knee and elbow pads. Caves in Williams Canyon contain long and rocky crawls that you must negotiate. Proper padding will help make your trip more enjoyable and safer. The caves are a constant 55 degrees, and are muddy, but not wet. Your clothes will get dirty and torn. I usually wear old sweat pants or army fatigues and a sweat shirt. I combine this with knee and elbow pads on the outside of my clothing. Leather work gloves seem to hold up the best to the abuse of caving.
Once you have read the brochures and checklist, I would be more than happy to get your group underground. Please contact me for further information at my e-mail address which is listed below.
Thanks, and Cave Softly
Dan Sullivan
NSS 40262