The Bloomington Indiana Grotto was founded in 1958 and is a local chapter of the National Speleological Society. We have a wealth of specialized experience related to exploring and studying caves safely and conscientiously and are here to serve as a resource for those eager to learn more! The BIG is a community for members who wish to network with others interested in caving since it can be very unsafe to go underground alone and unprepared. We work to provide mentoring and education about techniques and equipment, safe caving practices, cave science, and good conservation ethics.
All caving trips hosted by the BIG are organized by volunteers. The BIG does not rent equipment or provide ‘tours’, but rather functions as a meeting hub for people interested in cave-related endeavors.