Dogwood City Grotto upcoming events

May Rope Night (May 29, 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Come get on rope for the first time, or swing by to practice your SPAR skills. All experience levels welcome.

We have a couple of loaner gear sets, and a variety of different types and brands of gear that you can play with.

Our perma-rig in the trees includes:

Fixed free-hang lines
Lowerable free-hang lines
Free-hang rebelay ladder
Rebelay against the tree
Deviation
Bolted spar for aid climbing practice
Low j-hang
High j-hang as part of the course
Optional cable ladder

If you want something specific rigged to practice on, please let us know in advance and we’ll try to get it rigged up for you. Interested parties can help us work on weaving the permanent space net at the top where folks can hang out.

Not into rope but want to come hang out? We’ve got a fire pit set-up where you can watch the action from outside the fall zone.

Please bring your own helmet, leather gloves, and sturdy shoes.

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

We plan to do these on the last Friday night of every month as long as we don’t have a conflict. 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.

Huntsville Grotto Float Trip & Campout (June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Huntsville Grotto will be hosting their fifth annual Float Trip and Campout (June 5 – 7, 2026)

Location: The Farm (2655 New Hope Cedar Point Road – New Hope, AL 35760)

This is a free event, and you can bring your dog.

The float trip will be on Saturday the 6th of June (D Day). We plan to leave the farm at 8:30 AM Central and drive to paint Rock Canoe and Kayak Rental (256-508-9292). If you don’t have a vessel, you can rent one from these folks. The float trip starts in Paint Rock, AL and ends at the Farm. The paddle trip last 4½ to 5 hours and is Class I.

Pizza on Friday night, Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be furnished by the Grotto Saturday evening. Please bring a side dish to share on Saturday.

Activities: Ropes rigged in trees and in the Airplane Hanger, Haunted House Tours, Airplane Rides, Hayrides, and Games. Plenty of firewood.

Information: Robby Chandler James DeForest

256-604-9855 256-585-0209

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.

June Rope Night - Birthday Celebration with Wet SRT Course (June 26, 2026)

Fri, 26 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.

Upcoming Check-Off Opportunities:

April Rope Night
SERA (Events - The Alpine SRT Ropes Course)
May Rope Night
Karst-O-Rama (Events - The Alpine SRT Ropes Course)

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

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.