Southern Arizona Caving Adventures


SUMMER 2026 OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMPS -
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES SUMMER 2026

Difficulty Rating: 🥾🥾 (Active)

Join us for an unforgettable subterranean adventure this summer! Cave Camp offers a unique opportunity to swap the Arizona sun for the cool, mysterious world beneath our feet as campers embark on daily expeditions to explore the most fascinating geological wonders of Southern Arizona.

During this program, campers won’t just "visit" caves—they will become junior speleologists. Campers will explore Southern Arizona’s most iconic cave systems, including the rugged "wild" passages of Peppersauce Cave and the world-renowned formations of Kartchner Caverns. Throughout the week, we will master the science of speleology, the "Rule of Three" safety protocols, and the essential ethics of Leave No Trace (LNT) conservation. Each day balances hands-on discovery with technical skill-building, offering a unique opportunity to witness "live" geological wonders while learning to protect these fragile environments for generations to come.

We will head out to a new location every day; our "itinerary of icons" includes:

  • Peppersauce Cave (Oracle)
  • Cave of the Bells (Madera Canyon)
  • Kartchner Caverns (Benson)
  • Colossal Cave (Tucson)
  • Coronado Cave (Hereford)

This camp is for explorers who don't mind getting a little dirty! Caving is a full-body workout, and while we aren't hiking 10 miles, you will need:

  • Agility & Mobility: Ability to crawl on hands and knees, navigate low ceilings, and squeeze through tight spaces (especially in "wild" caves like Peppersauce).
  • Steady Footing: You’ll be walking on slippery, muddy, or uneven cave floors where balance is key.
  • Comfort in the Dark: Explorers must be comfortable in enclosed, dark spaces for extended periods while relying on headlamps.

What’s Included

We provide all the specialized gear and logistics necessary to transform your camper from a hiker into a junior speleologist. Each adventure includes round-trip transportation to our daily locations, as well as high-quality safety equipment such as caving helmets and high-lumen headlamps. All site admissions are covered, alongside guided instruction on essential cave safety—specifically the "Rule of Three"—geological science, and Leave No Trace (LNT) conservation ethics to ensure our explorers protect these fragile underground environments.

Instructors

Mary Grodman

Program Coordinator & Adventure Guide



Mary Grodman is one of our founding staff of the Outdoor Adventure program. Mary has been teaching classes and leading outdoor adventure programs for over 15 years! Mary has a degree in Environmental Science & Criminal Justice from Stockton University in New Jersey and is a certified backpacking, canyoneering and rock climbing guide. Mary has worked as a naturalist, on a trail crew and holds certifications in CPR, Leave No Trace Guidelines, Food Handling, Basic Water Rescue and Wilderness First Aid. Mary handles all the program logistics from making camping reservations, securing permits, ordering supplies and helps design the curriculum for each trip. She loves to GET OUTSIDE and is ready for another year of Fun, Adventure and Education with your camper!


Alex Pierce

Adventure Guide

Alex Pierce grew up in Massachusetts exploring New England’s forests, where Cub Scouts sparked his love for camping and wilderness travel. After earning his Eagle Scout rank at 18, he worked seasonally in national parks across the American West and found his calling as a wilderness guide, leading backpacking and llama-assisted expeditions in Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Zion. In the off-season, he traveled internationally, leading group trips and backpacking solo in remote areas of Nepal, Morocco, and Japan. Now based in southern Arizona, where he started his own home repair business in 2020, Alex is excited to share his passion for the outdoors and wilderness experience with the next generation.

 June 2026 
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Week 4 -OA | Southern Arizona Caving Adventures

  Mary Grodman , Alex Pierce


Catalina Foothills High School : OUTDOOR ADVENTURE OFFICE - GYM
Mon Jun 22 - Fri Jun 26
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Grades   5th - 8th

Price: $ 398 00
Registration begins  
Mar. 11th at 8:30 AM