23-27 July 2007
Marengo, Indiana
www.nss2007.com [2]

      Nestled in the scenic hills of Southern Indiana, Crawford County is the "Postcard Perfect" destination for recreation,
relaxation, and caving! Crawford County expands from the shores of the Ohio River at the town of Leavenworth, to the shores
of Patoka Lake. Thousands of acres of county, state, and federal forest create a haven for the naturalist. The caves and karst
of Crawford County, and most of south-central Indiana, are developed chiefly within the thick limestones and dolomites of the
mid-Mississippian-aged Blue River and Sanders groups. Caving at Convention will range from tight and sporting stream crawls,
to huge walking passages, to well-decorated grottos. Underground adventures will also include multi-mile systems, survey
and exploration opportunities, family and hardcore trips, and cave diving.
      The town of Marengo is located in Crawford County and is home to one of the finest commercial caves in the United
States. Marengo Cave was designated a US National Landmark in 1984 by the Department of the Interior as "the most
profusely decorated cavern...with speleothems of the highest quality." Also in Crawford County, near Leavenworth, is
Wyandotte Cave, one of the oldest and largest commercial caves in the country. Both will be "must do" activities during the
week.

      Registration, vendors, and all sessions, except for the vertical contests will be located at the Crawford County High
School. The high school is conveniently located directly across the street from the campground, located at the Crawford County
4H Fairground. The spacious 60-acre site is relatively flat with some perimeter shade, but you may want to bring your own
(daytime temperatures will be in the 80s). You can drive to your campsite and have campfires (in fire rings). Limited RV sites
with electricity and water are available. Food vendors will be on site to feed your appetite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; for
the coffee lover, gourmet coffee will be available. At the high school, the kitchen will be serving breakfast and lunch. The
vertical contests and workshop will be in the nearby Marengo Elementary School with shuttle service. The Monday night Howdy
Party will be held at the campground. The Thursday night photo salon and Friday night banquet will be held in a large
underground quarry (5 minutes from the campground with transportation provided). The Convention motel is the 38 room Days
Inn (812-739-4805, mention NSS) located 5 miles south of the campground in Carefree. Additional motels, restaurants, and
brand-name stores are located in Corydon, approximately 20 minutes from the Convention. Lesser services are available in
Marengo and Carefree. Canoeing, 100' cliff rappelling, hiking and other surface recreations are within 15 minutes of the
convention site. And of course, there are over 1000 caves in Crawford and surrounding counties. Below are the descriptions
of the special trips being offered through pre-registration. Space is limited and some trips or tours may be changed or
cancelled due to low sign-ups. For more information about the 2007 Convention, please be sure and check out
www.nss2007.com [3]. It has been 15 years since the Convention was hosted in Indiana... so it is time to welcome all Cavers
"Back Underground in Indiana"!

Geology Field Trip - Sunday 7/22 (All Day)
      The all-day Geology Trip will take place in one of the most geologically interesting areas of Indiana and will allow
participants to see a wide mix of geology in the eastern portion of the Illinois Basin and many physiographic provinces resulting
from the combination of local strata and structure. There is more geology to view than we can see in one day and
conventioneers may wish to check out some unvisited locations on their own time. The trip will start at the NSS Convention
Campground located on a sandstone-capped plateau in the Crawford Upland. We will then visit nearby Pilot Knob, a local,
unique remnant of a higher-level erosion surface. Traveling south, we plan to visit one of the largest Mississippian-aged
limestone quarries in the region located on the Ohio River with views of the incised river valley. Touring to the east, we will
travel scenic state roads to Wyandotte Cave to discuss the development of this significant karst area and its history (there will
be a separate Wyandotte geology tour later). The trip will then continue eastward and ¿down section¿ by descending the
Chester Escarpment, and crossing the Mitchell (karst) Plain near Corydon to visit another limestone quarry which displays the
strata and physiography of these two important cave areas. We will also discuss the ongoing local development of large
natural gas reserves in the New Albany Shale. Continuing eastward, the trip will enter the scenic Norman Upland before
descending the Knobstone Escarpment with excellent exposures of the interbedded Borden Group and New Albany shales
and siltstone and Devonian limestones as we continue onto the unique fossil-rich Silurian-age reef at the Falls of the Ohio State
Park near Louisville, close to where Lewis and Clark began their epic journey. After touring the historic Falls and the Museum,
and viewing the nearby lock and dam, the trip will begin to return to the NSS Campground by traveling to the northwest,
crossing classic Indiana karst areas as we tour the Lost River Basin and its many unique features, including the potential of
Indiana¿s longest cave. We will finish with a scenic ride from the Orangeville Rise, through the Hoosier National Forest, back
to the Marengo area. Transportation and a box lunch will be provided. The cost for this trip is $35.00.

Wyandotte Cave Geology and History Field Trip - Monday 7/23 (All Day)
       Wyandotte Cave is situated within the Crawford Upland region of ridge and valley development near the Blue and
Ohio Rivers. These streams have dominated the development of Wyandotte Cave and the numerous other caves in this
area. Progressive lateral development of new passages and complete abandonment by subsurface waters makes this a
unique site. Valley downcutting has initiated development of new passage levels and Pleistocene deposition in nearby
rivers has flooded the downstream end of some passages, causing deep slackwater sediments to be deposited. The cave
visit will be a rugged experience covering approximately two miles of relatively dry passages and about eight hours in
duration. This includes scrambling up and down steep and slippery rocky slopes and crawling. Please bring cave gear,
lunch, and water on this excursion. Children under the age of 12 will not be permitted on this trip and anyone under the age
of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $15 and includes transportation.

Harrison-Crawford Karst Features Field Trip - Monday 7/23 (All Day)
       This all day field trip will be a general orientation to the caves, karst, geology and hydrology of Harrison and Crawford
counties. The NSS Convention is located in Crawford County, which has over 200 caves. Harrison County is the county
immediately to the east and has over 800 caves. This region has the state¿s second longest cave (Binkleys Cave), the
deepest cave (Heiser Mystery Well) and the largest spring (Harrison Spring). This chartered-bus field trip will start at the
convention site and will travel a loop that will include stops at numerous springs, sinkholes, sinking streams, and cave
entrances. The field trip will require short hikes and a possibility exists for checking out a few cave entrances along the
way or maybe even swimming in a spring; so hiking boots, helmets and lights, and a swimming suit are recommended. A
lunch stop will be made available, or bring your own. Also, it is recommended that you bring plenty of drinking water with
you. The cost is $15 and includes transportation.

Amish Tour - Tuesday 7/24 (All Day)
http://www.gasthofamishvillage.com [4]
       A rare blend of natural beauty and business is what makes Southern Indiana¿s Amish Country so unique. The
extraordinary farmland sustains hundreds of families. The entrepreneurial spirit of the Amish is highlighted by the vibrant
commercial endeavors throughout the community. A lunch stop will be made available, or bring your own. The cost is $15
and includes transportation.

Wine Tour - Wednesday 7/25 (All Day)
http://www.indianawines.org [5]
       In Indiana, the age-old art of wine making is transformed into a casual event with a relaxed Hoosier style. Indiana
Wineries offer a wonderful opportunity for an excursion with family, friends, or a loved one. Wineries offer close to home
adventures with an educational flare. Tour the winery and cellar, enjoy a picnic overlooking the rolling hills and vineyards,
or relax around the tasting bar, sampling different wines. We will offer a scenic tour of several Southern Indiana wineries
on an air-conditioned bus and lunch will be provided. Come taste the fruits of Indiana. The cost is $30.

Holiday World & Splashin¿ Safari - Multiple Days, 7/22, 7/25 (All Day)
http://www.holidayworld.com [6]
       Splash, swim, float, and play in the Bahari, the Swahili word for ¿immense sea.¿ With over 33,000 square feet of
wave action along with geysers and spray fountains erupting everywhere, it truly is enormous. It¿s a sea full of fun for the
entire family! For those seeking thrills, ride the Raven, voted the world¿s #1 wooden coaster, and the Legend, voted #5.
Holiday World, more than just an amusement park. Don¿t forget, FREE unlimited soft drinks. The cost is $15 and includes
transportation. An additional discounted admission fee of $23.95 is required.

Commercial Caves - All Week
http://www.indianacaves.com [7]

Marengo Cave - In 1984, the cave was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service as the area¿s
most highly decorated cavern. www.marengocave.com [8]
Wyandotte Caves - Nestled in the hills of the Harrison Crawford State Forest, Wyandotte Caves have fascinated visitors
for over 150 years. http://www.wyandottecaves.com [9]

Squire Boone Caverns - It was the Boone brothers, Daniel and Squire, who in 1790, discovered the caverns that are now
part of the Village. Squire¿s life was spared when he hid in the caverns from a band of pursuing Indians.
http://www.squireboonecaverns.com [10]

Bluespring Caverns - In 1940 a large pond suddenly disappeared overnight in a torrential downpour. The following day,
the morning sun revealed an entrance to miles of breathtaking limestone caverns and what is known as the world's longest
underground river.
http://www.bluespringcaverns.com [11]
                                           

Convention Website:  http://www.nss2007.com [12]

Preregistration Flyer:  http://www.nss2007.com/registration/preregflyer.pdf [13]