LAUREL CAVERNS

UPPER CAVING RELEASE FORM   

Be sure to carefully read each numbered “point to know.”

 

  1.                   Don't confuse this form with the LOWER CAVING RELEASE FORM.

Laurel Caverns has four zones: (1) the easy and well-lit portions of the traditional guided tour, (2) the maze of unlit but safe crawl passages off the guided tour, (3) the untouched, unlit, huge rooms below the guided tour path, and (4) the mile of untouched, unlit, forty-foot high corridors that go to the bottom of the mountain.

        Lower Caving involves zones (1), (3), & (4).  Participants must be 12 years of age & up.

 Upper Caving involves zones (1), (2), & (3).  Participants must be 9 years of age & up.  

This form only applies to programs involving UPPER caving.

            Upper Caving is only involved in our:

    Youth Upper Caving Program                               Junior Girl Scout Adventure Sports Badge

    Junior Girl Scout "Cave Explorer" Badge                      Webelos Adventure Caving Program

These programs have requirements for group rates, registration, and times available.

 

   2.      Participants must have reached their 9th birthday, no exceptions.

 

3.       All participants must read and sign this form. 

        Laurel Caverns cannot be responsible for lapses in comprehension or an inability to read English.

 

4.       Upper caving can be dangerous.

Though upper caving involves the safest parts of Laurel Caverns it still involves going into some of its undeveloped areas.  The removal of an injured person can be difficult.  In that we cannot research each one of you we must rely on your word that you have sufficient background and physical ability to handle yourself in the cave.  Please be aware that participants go into an underground area completely in its natural state and that in many places the footing is slippery, uneven, and treacherous

 

   5.                   Participants not properly prepared will not be admitted.

Proper preparation involves FIVE things. (ç very important)

      1.         Participants must be wearing shoes with good tread and good ankle support.

      2.         Participants should wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt.

            3.         Participants must bring their own lights.  No keychain lights, please.

      4.         Knapsacks are subject to search for spray cans, weapons, and the like.

            5.         Hard hats are required and Laurel Caverns will supply hard hats at no extra charge.

 

  6.       It is humanly impossible for your Exploring Director to watch every movement and every step of every caving participant. 

It is humanly impossible for the Laurel Caverns staff to know the physical abilities of each participant.  Responsibility for such things as the tread of shoes, loose clothing, poor ankle support, medical history, physical ability, medical vulnerabilities, the brightness of lights, the fit of hard hats, discipline failures, the cave floor before each participant, and all other things which fall under the immediate purview of a participant must be, and in all fairness can only be, the responsibility of participants and their sponsors.

 

  7.                   Parental signature is required for participants ages 9 through 17

Laurel Caverns has no power to research any participant’s family situation.  A signature by one parent will be taken as consent by all involved.  IF ONE PARENT CONTESTS APPROVAL, OR IS IGNORANT OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS FORM, THE OTHER PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST NOT GIVE APPROVAL.

 

I (we) affirm that I (we) have carefully read and understand ALL SEVEN of the above points and that I (we) will neither hold Laurel Caverns, nor its owners, nor its agents responsible for any problem or injury due to anything covered in the above seven points.                                                                                                              

 

Participant: __________________________________                Birthdate: __________________

 

Parent: __________________________________________     Date: __________________

 (Please present this form at the time of your check-in.)