Students will thoroughly explore a lava tube, and document critical features on a Cave Resource Report.

Objectives: Students will be able to list 6 different types of resources found in lava tubes and give an example of each. They will be able to describe the method the National Park Service uses to determine whether a cave should be open or closed to public use. Duration: 2-3 hours, depending on the cave(s) chosen Materials: Pencil, copy of the Cave Resource Report for each student, clipboards or some other portable hard surface to write on, flashlight or headlamp, long pants, hat, and a camera (optional) Background Information: The Cave Resource Report is a tool for monitoring change over time. By periodically collecting this information and comparing the results with earlier reports, the National Park Service can document and respond to damage to cave resources through closures or some other action. Therefore, the reports your students collect are of use to the monument staff, regardless of whether a Cave Resource Report has already been done for a given cave. Upon completion of this activity, please submit your completed cave resource reports to the National Park Service for review. Procedure: 1. Split into small groups of 5-8 people to facilitate cave travel and select one or more caves to explore. There are four caves along the Caves Trail in close proximity to each other and well suited to this exercise: Boy scout, Surprise, and Beauty Caves and Indian Tunnel. 2. As you tour the cave, use your flashlight to examine the cave for unique features. These might include signs of animals, plants, water, ice, historic or prehistoric artifacts, mineral deposits, rock formations, etc. Look carefully - you may see something no one has noticed before. 3. Make notes on the Cave Resource Report. Include a rough map of the cave and a description of the cave entrance. You may also carry a camera and take a photograph of the cave entrance as well as anything significant you discover in the cave. Attach your photographs to the final report. 4. Submit your completed reports to the National Park Service. Your observations, if done well, may be helpful to the monument.

SAFETY INFORMATION The only lava tube which suitable for large groups (more than 15 people) is Indian Tunnel. If your group is going to enter the other caves, you should break up into smaller groups and have a responsible and experienced adult in charge of each. It is critical that each student be properly equipped, especially in caves other than Indian Tunnel. Each must have a good quality flashlight or headlamp, long pants, and a hat. For extensive exploration, knee pads and a helmet are recommended. Bike helmets are perfect for this purpose. If you are considering a spring field trip, check with the monument on snow and ice conditions in the caves. It is not possible to enter the caves after heavy winters until mid- to late- May.