Welcome to the Near Normal Grotto

The Near Normal Grotto is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study, exploration and conservation of caves and cave life.  Our members come from all walks of life – landscapers, camp counselors, carpenters, geologists, mechanics, teachers, and students, to name a few. In other words, people like you.   Our interests may vary from exploration to conservation to photography, but we all share a passion for caving.

For the latest Events and Updates Please Join our Facebook Group:

• Facebook

Meetings

Near Normal Grotto meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm CT on Zoom. A link to our meeting can be found below

Join Zoom Meeting

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/87673957583?pwd=ODl0WlBlNFQ3S1VTVThPcmM2eUFTQT09

Meeting ID:  876 7395 7583

Passcode: NNG363

Membership

Dues are $15 for the first person and $5 for each additional household member. Paypal or Venmo to nearnormalgrotto@gmail.com PLEASE use the Friends and Family option so that we aren’t charged a service fee. Checks to Jeffery Gosnell c/o Near Normal Grotto 17005 Timber Lane Carlinville, IL 62626

Upcoming Events

For a Full List and details on upcoming events please Join us on Facebook

🦇=Grotto Organized Event👥=Grotto Members Attending
May 23-26 – Enis Cave Blowout, Mt. View, AR
May 24-26 – SpeleoFest, Bonnieville, KY👥
June 6-8 – Karst-O-Rama, Livingston, KY
June 14-15 – Vertical Practice & Camping at Ralph’s(RSVP-Open to members in good standing)🦇
June 21-28 – NSS Convention, Cobleskill, NY
June 28-29 – FULL-Salamander & Grotto Cave, Bloomington, IN🦇
July 11-13 – Illinois Invitational, Waterloo, IL👥
August 2-3 – Hodag Hunt, Door County, WI
August 8-10 – Indiana Cave Capers, Corydon, IN👥
August 30-31 – Cave Workday, Troy, MO👥
September TBD – Fall MVOR, Perryville, MO👥
October 2-5 – TAG Fall Cave-In, Union Grove, AL
2026, July 6-10 NSS Convention, Corydon, IN

Officers

Board Members are elected annually. Canidates are generally nominated at our November meeting and Elections are held at the December meeting.

2025 Board Members:
President-Joseph Medely
Vice President-Travis Chase
Secretary-Sarah Smith
Treasurer-Jeffery Gonsell
Member at large-Ben Grove