When: October 14-15, 2017
Where: Laurel Caverns Geological Park, Farmington, PA
Time: Arrive at the St. Francis parking lot at 7:00 AM, Saturday, October 14
Return to St. Francis early afternoon on Sunday, October 15
This has been a popular weekend trip for Troop 55. Laurel Caverns is a maze of caves with 2.8 miles of passages, making it the 16th longest developed cave in the United States. Scouts can select from a number number of caving options – lower cave exploration (3.5 hours, must be at least 12), upper cave exploration (2 hours, easier than lower cave), or BSA cave exploring merit patch program (3.5 hours in upper cave). We will be camping overnight at nearby Benner’s Meadow Run Campground.
Scouts should eat breakfast before the car ride on Saturday morning and bring some cash for lunch on the return trip on Sunday. Saturday lunch, dinner, and Sunday breakfast are planned and prepared by patrols.
Scouts should see the attached activity selection sheet and the attached outfitting planning needs for the caving activity. Also, scouts should remember the potential need for layered, synthetic clothing when they pack. They should bring a change of dry synthetic clothes and an extra pair of shoes, as they will get wet and muddy in the caves. Rain gear and a warm sleeping bag are a must. Scouts also should bring a plastic bag for their muddy clothes for the trip home.
Full payment is due by October 11th. A late fee of $20 will apply to all registrations received after October 11th.
Questions? Please contact Mike Ray or at 703-757-8364.
Note on Laurel Caverns: Laurel Caverns has four zones: (1) the easy and well-lit portions of the traditional guided tour, (2) the maze of unlit but safe crawl passages off the guided tour, (3) the untouched, unlit, huge rooms below the guided tour path, and (4) the mile of untouched, unlit, forty-foot high corridors that go to the bottom of the mountain. Lower caving involves zones (1), (3), & (4). Participants must be 12 years of age & up. Upper caving involves zones (1), (2), & (3). participants must be 9 years of age & up.
Permission Submission & Waiver Forms – A waiver form must be printed, filled out and turned in for each scout and adult wishing to cave at the outing. Download, fill in and submit waiver forms:
- Upper Cave Release Form – Easier route. Use this for Upper Cave and BSA Cave Exploring Patch Program
- Lower Cave Release Form – 12 years and up, more challenging route. Use only for Lower Cave option.
COST
Cost varies based on Activity option chosen. Plus a $20 outing fee (for meals & camping). Plus $20 transportation fee. The transportation fee will be waived for scouts and adult if adult drives. $20 late fee added after 10/11/17.
- Lower Cave exploration $20 + $20 outing + $20 transportation = $60. +$20 after 10/11/17
- Upper Cave exploration $18 + $20 + $20 = $58. +$20 after 10/11/17
- BSA Cave Exploring patch program in Upper Cave (Scout) $25 + $20 + $20 = $65 +$20 after 10/11/17
- BSA Cave Exploring patch program in Upper Cave (Adult) $18 + $20 + $20 = $58 +$20 after 10/11/17
STEPS TO REGISTER for this outing:
- Activity selection for your scout(s). Indicate your choice via the online form below OR download and complete the Activity Selection Form – bring completed form to the meeting
- Permission Slip Register online (if you register via the form below, a copy of the submitted information will be sent to the email you provide) OR download/print the registration Permission Slip – bring completed form to the meeting
- Payment Make your payment either via PayPal (upper right corner of this page) OR bring a check to the meeting
- Waiver Complete the appropriate waiver forms for the activities selected for your scout(s) and adult leaders in your family. Everyone must complete a waiver form.
- Finally, check the Troop 55 Signup Genius for this outing to help your patrol plan for meals.
