Your Invitation To NSS 2015 Convention!

Greetings! The staff of 2015 NSS Convention invites you and your family to The Cave State for an action packed week of daily symposia, guided cave trips, vendors, and major events each evening. Conventions are a great way to learn about caves in other regions, share new techniques, meet old friends, and make new ones. We are thrilled to present “The Hitchhikers Guide To Missouri Caving” to the 74th annual gathering of National Speleological Society members. Waynesville is the heart of cave country in Missouri and is centrally located in the ageless Ozark Mountains with rugged scenic beauty as far as the eye can see. Over 200 caves will be offered during #NSS2015 including Carroll Cave, Skaggs Cave, world renowned diving cave Roubidoux Spring, caves that once housed onyx mining operations, caves with spectacular speleothems, caves rich with legend and lore of bushwhackers and moonshiners, caves for the family and JSS members, caves that you can canoe or kayak to, and of course caves with Pulaski County mud! Pit caves will be available at Post Convention in Southeast Missouri at Perryville. Convention Central will be located at Waynesville High School (200 GW Lane)- a state of the art, multimillion dollar facility. This facility is spacious, comfortable, air-conditioned and has Wi-Fi! Campground will be at Pulaski County-Ft. Leonard Wood Shrine Club (26920 Shrines Road), only ten minutes away from Convention Central. Surrounded by Mark Twain National Forest, the campground is 88 acres with plenty of shaded camping areas. Moderate sized campfires are permitted. Shower houses are available on site. Wi-Fi is available at the main Clubhouse. Nearby Saint Robert has many lodging choices for those who decide not to camp. Activities abound for those who would like to explore above ground. Our staff has teamed up with the 1903 Route 66 Courthouse Museum, the Old Stagecoach Stop, Crocker’s Frisco Depot, and Paranormal Investigations of the Historic Talbot House to offer mid-week evening activities for you and your family. Additionally, you can trout fish in the Roubidoux, road trip on Route 66, discover the Frisco line, antique in charming railroad boom towns, honor those who marched on the Trail of Tears, follow in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers, “blaze” a trail in the National Forest, kayak the winding Gasconade River, or drift down the Big Piney in a raft. No matter how you customize your 2015 NSS Convention experience you will be telling tales of your adventures at #NSS2015 for many years to come! Onsite registration opens at Noon July 11th! Don’t forget your towel! Joe & Kris Nicolussi, Co-Chairs & the 2015 NSS Convention Staff