Have you ever thought about getting into cave exploration or "spelunking?" Is the prospect of finding yourself in darkness scary? Visit our libraries in January for an opportunity to learn about caves and test your careful-explorer skills with CaveSim, an all-in-one portable caving experience!
Participating library locations are excited to host this interactive experience where all ages can crawl and climb through CaveSim to learn about caves and test their careful-explorer skills. As you crawl your way through 60 feet of artificial cave passage, you will learn about responsible caving while trying to preserve delicate cave "formations."
For those of you who'd like to practice climbing skills, experience vertical caving in a 12-foot tower. You'll also get hands-on practice with a cave rescue stretcher, a working cave rescue phone and learn about bat biology. While the cave is not wheelchair accessible, some children who use wheelchairs have explored CaveSim by crawling through the simulation.
If you want to explore some of the actual underground options around us, we recommend you connect with the San Francisco Bay Chapter (SFBC) of the National Speleological Society (NSS), opens a new window. Each chapter of the NSS includes veteran cavers to help those new to the sport learn how to explore caves safely. The best way to get involved with SFBC is by joining their new caver email list, opens a new window, where you will learn about meetings (on the fourth Tuesday of the month), beginner friendly trips and vertical practices (on the first Tuesday).
Caving is a unique sport—it is dangerous to do it alone and without the proper precautions. Additionally, caves are unique and delicate environments that can be more easily damaged than above ground environments. For these reasons, cavers have organized themselves to promote safe caving and cave conservation practices to protect caves. This is why we strongly recommend joining an NSS grotto, opens a new window. We hope to see you underground in the near future!
And if you'd like to learn more about caves and caving, we recommend the following library resources:
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