Here is a list of which member groups have hosted or co-hosted a VAR gathering since1975. With 44 member organizations, every group only needs to host once every 21 years if all take turns, but some grottoes host a lot, and others very litte. If your group has not hosted in a while, please consider hosting or co-hosting a VAR!
| VAR Organization | # of VARs hosted | Last year hosted |
| Baltimore Grotto | 3 | 2019 |
| Battlefield Area Troglodyte Society (BATS) | 4 | 2023 |
| Blue Ridge Grotto | 4 | 2008 |
| Bubble Cave, LLC | 2 | 2010 |
| Butler Cave Conservation Society (BCCS) | NONE | |
| Cave Conservancy of the Virginias (CCV) | 1 | 1983 |
| Charleston Grotto | 2 | 1983 |
| Charlotte Grotto | NONE | |
| Charlottesville/UVa Grotto | 3 | 2022 |
| Commander Cody Caving Club (CCCC) | NONE | |
| DC Grotto | 7 | 2024 |
| DINGO | 1 | 2009 |
| ESSO | 2 | 1983 |
| Fairfax Underground Network (FUN) | NONE | |
| Flittermouse Grotto | 1 | 2008 |
| Frederick Grotto | 1 | 1988 |
| Front Royal Grotto (FRG) | 5 | 2001 |
| Germany Valley Grotto | 1 | 1976 |
| Germany Valley Karst Survey (GVKS) | NONE | |
| Greater Randolph Organization for Spelelogical Science (GROSS) | 1 | 1990 |
| Greenbrier Grotto | 2 | 2016 |
| James River Grotto | 2 | 2019 |
| Madison University Student Grotto (MUSG) | 1 | 1982 |
| Monongahela Grotto | 4 | 2014 |
| Monroe County Cavers | NONE | |
| Mountain Empire Grotto | 4 | 2008 |
| New River Valley Grotto | 4 | 1994 |
| Out of Bounds Grotto | 1 | 2024 |
| Parkersburg Area Grotto | NONE | |
| Pine Mountain Grotto | 3 | 2017 |
| Potomac Spelelogical Club (PSC) | 6 | 2003 |
| Richmond Area Speleological Society (RASS) | 10 | 2014 |
| Shenandoah Valley Grotto (SVG) | 1 | 1977 |
| Sligo Grotto | 3 | 1998 |
| Tidewater Grotto | 2 | 1989 |
| The Robertson Association (TRA) | NONE | |
| Tri-State Grotto | 19 | 2023 |
| Triangle Troglodytes | 2 | 2007 |
| Virginia Cave Board | NONE | |
| Virginia Highlands Grotto | NONE | |
| Virginia Speleological Survey (VSS) | 1 | 1989 |
| VPI Cave Club | 8 | 2022 |
| Walker Mountain | 1 | 2018 |
| West Virginia Association for Cave Studies (WVACS) | 1 | 2018 |
| West Virginia Cave Conservancy | 1 | 2002 |
| West Virginia Speleological Survey | 3 | 2000 |
| West Virginia University Student Grotto | NONE | |
| Non-Region Member Hosts | ||
| Appalachian Cave Conservancy | 1 | 2008 |
| DC Area Cavers | 1 | 1987 |
| Holston Valley Grotto | 4 | 1982 |
| Philadelphia Grotto | 1 | 2007 |
| Rolland Moore | 1 | 2012 |
| Seven Valleys Grotto (PA) | 1 | 2022 |
| Tommy Carpenter | 1 | 2017 |
Since no Grotto has volunteered, the VAR Officers have stepped up to host this one at the RASS Field Station, Millboro, VA.
This VAR is remote, and held on a dark, moonless weekend. If you’re coming to VAR, please bring:
Also, don’t forget to “gas up” and buy whatever you left at home before you get close because it’s a good hour to the nearest full-service “civilization.” There are small stores and gas closer by but with limited offerings. There is NO electricity for campers or electric vehicles.
You can bring well behaved dogs, but they must be leashed (with the leash attached to a human) at all times. Of course you have to pick up the dog poop. Duh.
Pre-registration is now CLOSED. Please fill out and email the form below AND register at the following website: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fall-var
You can also use our Fillable PDF Registration - edit and save it, then email it and send a check as directed.
If not filling out the PDF using a phone or computer, please print so that anyone can read it; in other words, no scribbling. Instructions on where to email or snail mail the form are on the form.
The RASS Field Station has 26 acres of open grass for camping, and a bath house building with a few showers and flush toilets. Porta johns will be available around the property. Please bring a chair, and everything you will need for the weekend because the site is remote with only a few convenience shops nearby. There will be no onsite trash collection or recycling. Please plan to carry all your trash and recycling home with you.
Cell service at the site is nonexistent to low depending on your carrier. Don't count on it. You may have some limited reception at night, though voice and plain text may work during the day.
Yes, well behaved pets and well behaved owners, please.
Allowed ONLY in designated fire rings.
Out here? Are you kidding? Maybe in Staunton
BYOB
Yes! There are lots of caves in the area.
We currently have leaders lined up for guided trips to Paxtons and Hamilton, but we would welcome more trips leaders!
Of course!
Not going to Bridge Day? The Vertical Tower will be open periodically throughout the weekend; you must sign a waiver.
There are trails and footpaths around the RASS Field Station and hikes nearby!
Alex Corrigan, cave artist
Cheryl Suitor, cave artist, will be selling her amazing and affordable art, mostly paintings.
Jeremey Hush Art, cave-related art
SophiReapTress, cave suits and clothing
Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. (SCCi) will be onsite too. Go on by and learn about this fabulous group, make a donation, get some swag (perhaps).
WV Undergournd, cave gear
There will be led trips, TBA
TBA
Event ScheduleFriday, May 9, 2025
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Additional Information
Beginning 9 a.m. (may carry over into Sunday). camping is available Friday and Saturday nights.
Location:
Apple Horse Farm
5921 Hot Springs Road
Hot Springs, VA 24445
Details:
Supplies to bring:
RSVP - Helps with planning!
merecaver at yahoo dot com
janete at shentel dot net
Download this article as a PDF Flyer.
Beginning Friday afternoon, April 26 for retirees and others, but 9 a.m. Saturday for everyone else (may carry over into Sunday).
Camping is available Friday & Saturday on an adjacent property (caver-owned!)
Location:
47 Low Gap Lane
Bland, VA
Details:
Supplies to bring:
RSVP - Helps with planning!
merecaver at yahoo dot com
janete at shentel dot net
