Club
Philadelphia Grotto
A caving club founded in 1947 and part of the National Speleological Society. Members care for caves, explore them, teach others and do research.
- Low cost
- Online OK
Saved in this browser only.
What they do
Attend the monthly meeting, learn caving from members, and go on trips with more experienced cavers. The club also guides youth groups on caving trips.
Who it is for
- Who can join
- Open to anyone
- Who is there
- Adults of any age
When and where
Monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month, 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at a member's home in Media, PA, or joined by video.
- Days
- Thursday
- Times
- Evening
A member's home in Media, PA (Delaware County), or by video
Meets outside the city and serves Philadelphia.
You can join online.
Your first visit
Feeling unsure the first time is normal. Most groups are glad when someone new walks in.
First step: Join a first-Thursday meeting at 7:30 pm in Media or by video, then ask for a membership form..
You can just show up.
What to expect
A first visit is the monthly evening meeting, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm on the first Thursday, in person in Media or on video, and the site says you get a membership form there. Caving is physically demanding, and the site says beginners should go with experienced cavers and that members should be fit, healthy, sober and properly equipped. The site does not say whether guests can attend or what a first trip is like.
Tips for your first visit
- If you plan to go caving, wear synthetic layers: caves stay around 55 degrees Fahrenheit with near 100 percent humidity.
- Check the club's Equipment page before any cave trip, since the site links to one.
- Go on trips with experienced cavers, as the site advises for beginners.
Newcomer welcome
Fine for newcomers, but you may need to speak up (3 out of 5). Why we say this: Monthly meetings are open and can be joined by video, and the site has a New Cavers page, but the site does not say whether guests can come along or what a first trip is like..
Cost and commitment
- Cost
- Low cost. Membership is $12 a year for an individual or $18 for a family. Trip costs are not listed.
- How often
- About once a month
Access and languages
- Wheelchair access
- We do not know yet. Ask the group before you go.
- Languages spoken
- We do not know yet which languages are spoken.
Requirements
We found no special requirements. Ask the group if you are not sure.
How to reach them
We copy contact details as the group or a public source published them. Each one shows where it came from.
- Website: phillygrotto.org Source: caves.org, seen October 8, 2026 ; Source: National Speleological Society, Pennsylvania grotto directory, seen October 4, 2026 ; Source: phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026 ; Source: phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026 ; Source: phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026
- Social media: Facebook, Facebook Source: phillygrotto.org; Source: phillygrotto.org; Source: phillygrotto.org
Sources and last check
Checked by our research team on October 8, 2026. This was a closer look, including what a first visit is like.
- Last checked by our team
- October 8, 2026
- Status
- Probably active
- Our confidence in this listing
- Medium
We think this group is probably still active, but the newest sign we found is more than a year old.
- caves.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Name, Website, Summary, Kind
- National Speleological Society, Pennsylvania grotto directory, seen October 4, 2026. Supports: Name, Location, Website
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Schedule, Location, Online ok, Status, First step
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: First step, Audience, Requirements, What to expect, First visit tips
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Contacts, Status, Summary, Schedule, First step
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Summary, What they do, Cost, Kind
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Contacts
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: What they do
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Summary, Schedule, Status, Contacts
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: What they do, First step, Requirements
- phillygrotto.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Schedule, Location, Online ok
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