Group size | Appropriate Clothing | Academic Preparation

How big can my group be?
It depends upon the tour you are taking. The Historic Tour currently limits groups to 120 (students AND adults), while the Wild Cave Tour limits groups to 15. Remember, your students may be sharing a tour with other visitors. A much better question may be how big SHOULD your group be. Smaller groups will have a more educational experience and be less stressful for the teacher. Please plan on having one chaperone for every ten students.

How should my students dress?
Students should dress comfortably for hiking, wearing closed-toe shoes with good traction (such as boots or sneakers). Remind students that their clothes and shoes may get dirty and wet in the cave. Students should also be prepared for the cave's temperature:it stays about 54°F throughout the year; however, temperatures above ground vary greatly, from below freezing in winter to above 90 in the summer. Check the weather and help your students dress appropriately.

How can I prepare my students?
Students who have studied the park's natural and cultural history before their trip will have a much more meaningful educational experience. Consider using the park's resources to augment your classroom curricula. A few ideas are:

	Geology: Have students research caves and karst in the library or on the internet. Check out our fact sheets and our links to partners in cave education.
	History: Study slavery, the War of 1812, Kentucky's early years, tourism in the United States, or the National Park System.
	Use our extensive lessons and curricula and fact sheets to teach students about Mammoth Cave in your classroom.

————————
Mammoth Cave Learning Place • Back to Field Trip Information
Mammoth Cave Home • NPS Home

www.nps.gov/maca/learnhome/kidprepare.htm
last updated 4/27/l01 maca_park_information@nps.gov