FALL MAR 2026
Three days of caving, camping, and community in the Pennsylvania hills — hosted by the York Grotto.
(Fri–Sun)
Newville, PA
$45 on-site (day-of)
Guidebook · Camping
A weekend of caving in the Cumberland Valley
The Fall MAR field meet brings cavers together for a full weekend of guided and self-led cave trips, evening programs, camping under the stars, and good company. Whether you’re a seasoned vertical caver or heading below ground for the first time, there’s a trip for you — and a warm meal waiting when you surface.
Everything for the weekend
Saturday breakfast
A continental spread — danishes, donuts, muffins, cereal, coffee, and fruit to fuel your trips.
Saturday dinner & program
A catered BBQ dinner followed by a Saturday evening program (speaker to be announced).
16+ cave trips
Vertical and horizontal, muddy and dry — most beginner-friendly. Full details in the guidebook.
Event guidebook
A PDF guidebook with cave descriptions and maps, emailed to you a week or two before the meet.
Auction & door prizes
Cave-gear auction and door-prize drawings after Saturday’s dinner. Grab your ticket at check-in.
On-site camping
Tent and RV camping right at the fairgrounds — you’ll be steps from every trip, meal, and campfire.
How the meet flows
- PM Arrive & set up camp
- Eve Check in, settle in, campfire hangs
- 9 PM Cave trip sign-ups
- AM Continental breakfast
- Day Cave trips (16+ options)
- Eve Catered dinner + evening program
- Late Auction & door prizes
- AM PCC pancake breakfast (add-on)
- Day More cave trips
- PM Pack out & farewells
Camping & site info
- RVs and tents welcome — camp right on the fairgrounds.
- No shade (no trees) — bring a canopy; hammocks won’t work.
- Indoor restrooms and porta-johns on site.
- No Wi-Fi on site, but cell service works fine.
- Alcohol is permitted — BYOB.
Good to know
Cave trip sign-out
Planning a cave trip? Let registration staff know your plans and set a call-out time before you head out, then check back in when you’re done. It helps us keep track of everyone over the weekend.
What to bring
Caving gear (helmet, mounted light, spare batteries, sturdy boots), layers for changing weather, your camping essentials, a mess kit, a water bottle, and cash for vendors.
Vendors
Shop our on-site vendors — Out Standing Stitches and the Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy. Want to vend? Email our coordinator, Lauren, at [email protected].
Quiet hours
Quiet hours run 10pm–8am in the tent and camping areas. Please be considerate of your neighbors after dark.
Prefer a hotel?
Camping’s included, but if you’d rather have a bed, Carlisle — about 15 minutes east — has the nearest cluster of hotels along the I-81 corridor.
More to do nearby
Not caving every hour? Visit Colonel Denning State Park for hiking and a swimming lake, ride or walk the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, or see Big Spring, Newville’s crystal-clear limestone spring. Downtown Carlisle’s shops and restaurants are close by, too.
Ready to go caving?
Pre-registration is $40 for adults, free for kids 12 & under. Closes September 6.
Register for Fall MAR 2026