Register for the Fall 2012 Retreat:
Spelunking at California and Moaning Caverns
This year's retreat provides students in the Honors Program with the opportunity for a weekend of caving, rappelling, and exploring some of nature's wonders. At California Cavern, groups explore the historic "Mammoth Cave" area and "Jungle Room," walking, crawling, wiggling, and squirming through natural passages that connect through thirteen chambers. Moaning Cavern offers energetic cave explorers the chance to begin their exciting expedition with the 165-foot rope rappel, followed by one to two hours of exploration through deep chambers and passages.
Date: August 24-26, 2012
Time: Departing the USC campus the morning of Friday, August 24th at approximately 8:30am and returning to USC on the evening of Sunday, August 26th.
Location: Caving approximately 70 miles east of Sacramento near Murphys, California.
Cost: FREE! Transportation, activities, all meals, and lodging are provided for all students attending.
Preparation: Beyond the regular items needed for a weekend outdoor trip, participants should also bring the following. Grubby clothes consisting of a warm long-sleeved shirt; rugged, loose fitting pants (jeans are okay as long as they are not tight); tennis or running shoes; and high-top boots that securely tie around the ankle and cannot be budged (No low-tops! The deep, sticky clay in the cavern will suck low-top shoes right off your feet. Consider visiting a thrift store for this type of shoe). Everything will be very wet, muddy and permanently stained due to the highly mineralized cave clay, so if you care about it - don't wear it! At California Cavern showers are provided so bring a complete change of clothes including shoes, and all shower supplies and toiletries in a plastic bag to keep them dry while showering. You must shower before reboarding the bus.
How to Sign Up: Registration for this year's retreat will begin in mid-summer. Please check back for registration details.
All currently admitted members of the Engineering Honors Program -- including incoming freshmen and transfer students -- are eligible to attend, but spaces are very limited.
