Dogwood City Grotto upcoming events

Karst-O-Rama (June 12, 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This is a courtesy event.

Point of Contact: kor@gcgcavers.com

https://karstorama.com/?fbclid=IwVERFWAPN_4RleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEemv0ubAGwqjHOacnJxlUzZGhK67iqzUZZvzgIwl4cc6eeC0DIfcMB8KYUIcw_aem_za9lzjpx9q_xUXlgFMALpw

Cookout/Potluck/Camping/Caving event at Tumbling Rock (June 13, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Hey guys,

This will be a potluck event. If you can bring a dish, that would be awesome. If you can bring something to cook that would be good and we'll have a cooking station where we will get it cooked. If you can't bring anything, then that is totally cool and you're very welcome to come and enjoy the food, fellowship, camping and caving.

This event will be at Tumbling Rock Cave Preserve and Saturday night camping will be available. TR has an outhouse and Wifi. There are plenty of caves in the area as well as Tumbling Rock Cave, which is right there at the preserve. Watch the calendar closer to the event and led trips should be going out to various caves in the area.

We do have a couple needs.

If you've got an extra table or camping chairs please bring them.

If you'd like to come early to help set things up or to do some cooking, reach out to Keith at 678-458-4753.

This event is designed for food, fun, and fellowship. You do not need to bring food to attend.

Wildcat Exploratory Horizontal trip (June 14, 2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Please Read the entire description for this event and follow up details.

Michael Taylor will be leading an exploratory trip to the wildcat extension in TR cave on Sunday 6/14 at 8:30AM CENTRAL/ 9:30AM EASTERN. Please be prepared to enter the cave by 9CDT/10EDT. This is an exploratory trip, not a guided tour; the wildcat extension has been described as having tight crawls and technical free climbs.

After registering please check the "Additional event information" section of the confirmation email for the permit and next steps.

For any questions please contact Timothy Rainey at (470)469-3874

What To Wear & Bring

You can find guidelines to responsible caving here:
https://dogwoodcitygrotto.org/CaveSafe

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What to wear & bring:

-At a quick look

-Standard dry horizontal caving gear.

-Extra layer in case you get chilly

-Good knee pads and food and water

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-In depth

To wear:

- Fast drying clothes. Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon work best.

Bear in mind that caves frequently destroy the clothing you take into them.

- Long pants, think light and durable.

- Shirt - long or short sleeve depending on how hot or cold you normally run.

- Warm packable layers.

- Good sturdy boots or shoes.

- Knee pads necessary, elbow pads optional

- Gloves! Rubber garden gloves work well. Gloves don't only protect you from the cave but more importantly protect the cave from YOU!

- A helmet with a mounted headlamp and fresh batteries.

- If you need to rent a helmet & light combo ($5), purchase from the website ASAP. You will also need to bring 6 brand new AA batteries.

To bring:

- A cave pack or small durable day bag.

- At least two light sources per person in addition to the one on your helmet.

- Extra batteries for each light source protected by a water-resistant container

- Snacks. Protein bars, dried fruit, nuts and jerky pack well. Put snacks in ziploc bags to protect from getting wet. Be prepared to carry your trash.

- Water in a lightweight reusable bottle, 24 -32oz recommended.

- A large plastic bag to put your dirty wet clothes and boots in.

- A towel and clean clothes and shoes for the ride home.

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June Rope Night - Birthday Celebration with Wet SRT Course (June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Come celebrate Jennifer's birthday with a Gauntlet-like course!! Run it wet and with a watermelon for extra fun.

Everyone running the course must have passed check-offs with either The Gauntlet or on a previous rope night in the past year.

All experience levels welcome. We'll have beginner lines up as well, and a couple of loaner sets available (first come, first serve).

Not into rope but want to come hang out? Set up a chair outside the fall zone and enjoy some food while you watch the action.

Please bring your own helmet, leather gloves, and sturdy shoes. We also encourage you to bring a dish to share - potluck style.

Please don’t block the driveways and avoid parking too close to the stop sign.

Out of towners are welcome to bring a sleeping pad and sleeping bag to catch a spot inside (with the kitties), or a tent if you prefer to camp out on the lawn.

Rope Nights are rain or shine. Severe weather (lightning, hail, hurricanes, etc) may have us inside for a brief time, where we have a ceiling anchor for sizing gear and a library of caving books with knot practice.

NOTE ON MINORS: Hosts are not currently equipped to have minors (those under the age of 18) on the course. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for extraordinary circumstances.

July Regular Meeting and Campout at John Maddox's (July 17, 2026)

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us for our July campout meeting at John Maddox's property!

The address will be emailed to you following registration.

Presentation:

Walker County Rescue Squad will be simulating a mock rescue that members can participate in.

Google Maps

Bing Maps

The plan is to camp near the woods close to the fire ring. There is a creek crossing on the property that might be a bit much for low clearance vehicles, but it is an easy stroll across the field to the tree line. There is a water spigot located on the property.

A few additional comments from our host:

High clearance vehicles recommended to cross creek.

Hammock recommend for forest camping.

Please park in the field or off to the side of the road in the woods. DO NOT park directly in the road, it’s a loop.

No trailers in the woods, feel free to drop them in the field.

Grill and potable water available for use.

Please pick up all trash and use the ports potty’s.

Valid Ga hunting or fishing license required to access all caves on pigeon mtn.

Please follow flagging tape to the WMA boundary and stay on WMA if going to ASC. DO NOT trespass on the adjacent property to the south.

This is a primitive camping site. Use toilet paper sparingly, and pack it out!

There are numerous caves in the immediate area, but none on the property. Many of these caves are located on DNR property and require a license (hunting, fishing, …) to access. More information on licensing can be found here.

Please contact any member of the Board of Directors or call the Caving Hotline if you have any questions. See you there!

Campout @ Andy and Miki Kalber's in Cookeville, TN (August 07, 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Join us for a bonus August campout in Cookeville, TN at Miki and Andy Kalber's property.

Friday and Saturday camping will be available, and there will be led caving trips going out Saturday and Sunday morning.

About the Location:

Andy and Miki Kalber are members of the Dogwood City Grotto (DCG) and are opening up their property for the campout. They have 2-3 acres of flat camping space in the upper fields of the property, and you will be able to drive directly to the camp spots. Some hammock camping opportunities are available for those who want to hammock camp.

They will have a bonfire area and a port-a-potty (indoor bathroom use limited but available). Fresh water for drinking and cleaning gear is also available. There is limited electricity, but people can charge phones and lights in the garage if needed. Use of the microwave and gas grill are also available.

Cookeville, Tennessee is home to many caves, both horizontal and vertical, and there are several hiking trails in addition to disc golf courses in town.

Hope to see you there!

TAG Fall Cave-In (October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

47th Annual TAG Fall Cave-In

Location: Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort

721 Co Rd 614, Mentone, AL 35984

Ski TAG!

Members Meeting - Campout @ Kelly Smallwood and Jason Hardy's (November 06, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Join us for our November campout meeting of 2026!

Friday and Saturday camping will be available, and the grotto meeting is Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Saturday Night Presentation

TBD

About the Property

We can have a fire in the front yard and the meeting there as long as weather permits, if not we can use the living room.

If you are not camping, it is suggested that you park in the road and walk down the driveway. There is room for some small car camping, as well as an area to the right of the house that's big enough for three small cars to camp as well or for a small teardrop camper.

There is space to pitch a tent or hang a hammock in the front yard as well. And we also have some floor space inside.

For anyone interested in the 4x4 camping, please come find me before you drive into that area and I can show you where to park.

There are a few vertical caves in the cove below our house, which folks are welcome to hike to.

We will have our 950 gallon western red cedar hot tub fired up as well.