Join us for our July campout meeting of 2025!
Friday and Saturday camping will be available, and the grotto meeting is Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Saturday Presentation
Andy Zellner will be speaking to the grotto regarding landowner relations, closed caves, and caves with special access rules. This is important information that all cavers should be aware of as to maintain good relationships with landowners and ensure continued access to caves.
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The July Dogwood City Grotto meeting will be at the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc's (SCCi) SCC Preserve in Franklin County, Tennessee. This is a remote cove with many caves within walking distance from the campsite. There are horizontal and vertical caves for all skill levels available in the area. There is no cell service in the area. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather leading up to the event since there is a stream crossing to get to the campsite. Camping will be available all weekend.
A PERMIT MUST BE SIGNED IN ORDER TO BE ON THE PROPERTY.
Once you register for the event, you will be sent the permit number and link to where you can sign on the SCCi's website.
Please contact our trip coordinator if you run into any issues.
SANITATION ON THE PRESERVE
All visitors accessing the cove under an SCCi permit are required to pack out all solid waste. Several groups since we implemented this policy have been using "Restop" products. See their website at https://restop.com/products/. Also several caving vendors stock this product.
Use toilet paper sparingly and PACK IT OUT. Otherwise, burn in a very hot campfire, not with matches or a lighter. Tampons, sanitary products, etc. should also be packed out or "hot" burned. No paper is to be disposed of on the ground!
Do NOT urinate in or near the creek or on land exposed to the elements. Rocks or sandy soil is okay as long as it is at least 150 feet away from any water source. Avoid water sources, contact with insects or animals, social areas, i.e. trails, clearings.
Sanitation guidelines also apply to all pet waste.
Graywater (water that has been used for cleaning dishes, showers, etc.) should not be introduced to the stream or other natural water sources.
Failure to abide by these rules will result in future permits being denied!
About the Preserve
SCC is an SCCi cave preserve, and as such, all participants must sign the release in order to have permission to be there.
About The Cave
SCC is not a warm cave. It's a stream bed cave. In some places you're walking on river cobble, in others you're wading, and the entrance closest to camp requires swimming.
Hints:
- Young children will likely need floaties!
- If you're nervous about swimming, then you should bring a PFD (floaties) too!
- This cave is COLD! Bring layers of synthetic clothing. If you try to go into the cave wearing cotton, you're going to get yelled at!
There are a couple ways to do the trip.
One can take a hike on the ATV roads through the forest, then take a refreshing tour of the cave & exit at the camp, or you can do it the other way around.
Additional Information
More instructions, including Directions and the gate code, will be emailed to registrants Wednesday evening before the campout.