Grotto Information

 

Grotto Officers

Chairwoman: Shannon Phipps
Vice Chairwoman: Samantha Phipps
Secretary: Aaron Martinez
Treasurer: Vincent Thome
5th Board Member: Madelaine Iavagnilio

Our History

The Saint Joseph Valley Grotto (SJVG) was formed to promote, organize, and educate people in the South Bend and greater Michiana area with an interest in caves and caving. The grotto was first conceived in the spring of 1997; that July we received our charter to become an Internal Organization (IO) of the National Speleological Society (NSS). In the time that we have been in existence we have gained over one hundred members, taken on several ambitious survey projects, and have become one of the most active grottos in Indiana. The grotto has quarterly meetings in March, June, September, and December. The meetings fall on a Sunday at 2 pm, usually at a members house in the Elkhart area. The grotto organizes monthly trips intended to give anyone interested in caves an opportunity to experience the underground wilderness we love so much. Members of the grotto are active in conservation, photography, cartography, and the exploration of caves. The membership of the grotto is composed of a wide range of experience levels, from novices to cavers that have been across the United States and around the world in search of all types of adventures. 


Become a Member

Come to a meeting and pay your dues. Dues are $15 per year.
Can't make a grotto meeting? Fill out our Member Form & an officer will reach out!

Get in Contact with Us

Have any questions? Send us an e-mail at stjoevalleygrotto@gmail.com
Keep up to date with all current events by joining our Facebook Group.



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Get in contact with us!

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Want to get involved?  Join our  SJVG Facebook Group  to stay updated!  Fill out this Member Form  to become a member of the SJVG & join the emailer! Have any questions? Send us an email at stjoevalleygrotto@gmail.com 
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Join the St. Joseph Valley Grotto for a Pre-Convention campout and Banquet Dinner at the Stonington Campsite, just one hour North of Corydon, Indiana.  Here is the  Registration Link.  Each person attending must fill out the form. You may fill out the form more than once.  When -  3pm Thursday, July 2nd through 5pm Sunday, July 5th.  Cost - Registration - $30 per person includes Saturday Night Banquet. Kids 3 & under are free.  Banquet Only - $15 per person. Banquet starts at 5pm.  Camping -  We will have roughly 50 campsites available. Parking will be separate. Car camping and limited RV Camping is available. Camper must be Class B or smaller. No RV hookups.  Cave Trips -  We will have multiple guided horizontal cave trips all weekend, starting as early as Friday Morning. Sign ups for cave trips will be held at our designated registration tent.  Cut off for Registration is June 20th or when campsite is full. 
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