Field Trips
The tours and programs offered by Cave of the Mounds are designed to enhance the understanding of topics in science, function as part of a larger discussion of Earth science, provide an opportunity for inquiry, and serve as an example and evidence of our dynamic planet.
Each program lasts about an hour: a 30-minute interactive presentation and a 30-minute activity. The recommended activity for the Caves and Karst Mini-Course is a 30-minute outdoor hike. The recommended activity for the Geology Mini-Course is a 30-minute guided sluicing activity (sluice kits are sold separately). Mini-Courses take place in “classes” of up to 50 participants. Groups of more than 50 will break into smaller classes for the Mini-Course.
Pick Your Program
Cave Tour for School Groups
45 to 55 minute tour
Bring your students on an unforgettable journey through a natural limestone cave at Cave of the Mounds! Our cave tours are conducted on paved and well-lit walkways, provide a safe and engaging educational experience for all grade levels. Students will marvel at the vibrant crystal formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, while learning about geology, earth science, and the cave’s unique history.
With a consistent 50-degree temperature year-round, the cave is the perfect destination for field trips in any season. This immersive experience aligns with science curriculum goals and encourages curiosity about the natural world.
Caves & Karst Mini-Course Overview
30-minute Interactive Presentation
This engaging course delves into various cave types, their formation processes, locations, and unique formations. Participants will explore the property to identify signs of Karst topography, which features sinkholes, disappearing streams, and caves. By examining sinkholes, we investigate whether they are active, inactive, or semi-active. Combined with a guided cave tour, this immersive experience highlights the geology of caves and the distinctive Driftless Area.
Interactive Presentation Topics
- What is a cave?
- Five key cave types found globally and in Wisconsin
- Maps of Karst landscapes, U.S. caves, and Wisconsin caves
- The impact of glaciation on Wisconsin’s caves
- Formation of Cave of the Mounds’ limestone
- How Cave of the Mounds formed
- Speleothems (cave formations)
- Karst Topography and its connection to caves
To enhance learning, students interact with samples of minerals, rocks, and fossils.
Geology of the Earth Mini-Course Overview
30-minute Interactive Presentation
This program offers a broader perspective than the Caves & Karst Mini-Course, focusing on rocks, fossils, and water. Students begin with the rock cycle, progress to fossils, and conclude with the water cycle. The experience is often paired with a sluicing activity, where students uncover their own rock or fossil collection, or a guided hike to explore the property’s unique topography and the vital role of water and rocks at Cave of the Mounds.
Interactive Presentation Topics
- Layers of the Earth
- Minerals and Rocks, including the three rock types and the rock cycle
- Cave Mineral Deposits (speleothems)
- Geologic Time, the law of superposition, and the formation of Cave of the Mounds’ limestone
- Fossils and Rocks/Minerals found in the cave
- Water Cycle
Sluicing Activity Overview
30-minute activity
In this 30-minute activity, participants use a sluice—a water-filled trough typically used by paleontologists to clean fossils—to sift through pre-made sand kits containing rocks, minerals, or fossils. Each kit includes a plastic bag with sand and about a dozen pre-selected specimens (all participants must choose either rocks & minerals or fossils). Using a sieve tray and the sluice, participants separate the specimens from the sand.
Our staff will guide the process, help identify the specimens, and connect them to the interactive presentation. Printable color ID charts are available on our website for students to reference at home.
Chaperones and teachers may purchase sluice kits but are not required to do so.
Our programs are about big ideas of science that provide lenses for viewing phenomena and understanding the world around us. From kindergarten through high school, we provide an engaging learning experience with scientific practices while using the perspectives of scientists to think like scientists.
Group Policies
Group rates and programs are available with 2-week advance reservation.
Group eligibility for discounted rates is 20 or more.
Reservation deposit is required to guarantee your date and time.
Group itineraries are not provided or guaranteed prior to actual arrival and start.
Teacher pre-visit resources and lesson plans are available in our Education Resources
Chaperones and Bus Drivers must have a ticket/wristband and pay all group fees unless they are included in the designated complimentary admissions listed on the group invoice.
Available year-round Monday through Friday with advance reservation & payment.
Prices
This is the heart of our experience. The Cave Tour allows your group to be in a “living” cave environment. Discover Wisconsin – below ground!
Spring: April 1st to June 10th
Adults, Teachers, Drivers … $17.00
7th through 12th grade..….. $14.00
6th grade and younger …… $11.00
Summer: June 11th to Labor Day
Adults, Teachers, Drivers … $18.00
7th through 12th grade……. $15.00
6th grade and younger …… $12.00
Fall: Labor Day to October 31st
Adults, Teachers, Drivers … $17.00
7th through 12th grade……. $14.00
6th grade and younger …… $11.00
Winter: November 1st to March 31st
Adults, Teachers, Drivers … $15.00
7th through 12th grade……. $13.00
6th grade and younger …… $10.00
*Valid for groups of 20+ Monday through Friday with a reservation 2 weeks in advance and a $100 deposit. On weekends and Holidays, we welcome field trips at our regular tour rates.
Discover Wisconsin’s unique driftless area! Certainly get more out of your cave experience with this in depth look into cave science and walk through our karst landscape! This is a one hour, above ground program that includes one of our knowledgeable interpreters to unlock the mysteries of the earth!
$100.00 – For groups of up to 50 participants
Learn about rocks, minerals, crystals, fossils and more with one of our knowledgeable guides! Also, we recommend you add mining bags to your experience and we will sluice and identify specimens with your group or if you prefer, we will take a hike and see local geology in action. This is a one hour, above ground program that includes one of our knowledgeable interpreters to unlock the mysteries of the earth! Please note: bags purchased separately.
$100.00 – For groups of up to 50 participants
Mine for gems… Hunt for fossils… Discover treasure! Add more learning before or after your scheduled tour.
- 1 Self-guided Mining Activity with Rock or Fossil Collection
In addition to a Group Cave Tour and/or package:
Per Participant……………..$6.00 (Adults can “opt out”)
Available for all ages!
Enhance your collection with a new rock, mineral or fossil specimen!
Per Specimen……………..$1.00
You choose from our stock of authentic fossil, crystal, rock or mineral specimens
(Identification Cards included digitally.)
Each student can pick out a geode for our staff to crack open!
Large Size (approx 2″ diameter)……………..$5.00 each
Small Size (take-home only)……………..$1.50 each
Small Size 50+ Pack Special (take-home only) ……………..$1.00 each
The cave is well lit and flashlights are not needed. Black Lights are made of ultraviolet light and show how formations in the cave have different bands of minerals and they “glow” under the black light.
(Recommended for 3rd grade or older.)
Per Black Light……………..$3.00
