Walking, crawling, climbing, rappelling, diving - people do all these things when they explore caves. If you think that you want to explore a cave, you should begin by visiting a cave that is developed with trails and lights. For example, staffs at Mammoth Cave, Carlsbad Caverns, and Wind Cave National Parks and Jewel Cave National Monument lead tours for visitors. If you find that you really like it, then find out if anyone you know or if anyone in your community is a caver, and ask that person to teach you. Don’t know any cavers? You can find out if there is a caving club, or “grotto,” in your area by writing to the National Speleological Society (NSS). If you are invited to attend a grotto meeting and are then asked to go along on a caving trip, you must always remember the motto of the NSS: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints” or as some cavers say, “Cave softly.”