Many cavers visit the Ozarks to explore its plentiful caves. Very often these cavers will contact OHG officers or members to obtain cave locations and cave descriptions. For this reason it has become necessary to establish a policy regarding this issue. Such a policy may be utilized by OHG members in dealing with this problem.

Visiting cavers may be construed to mean not only out of area cavers but also local non-organized cavers. These cavers may be placed in one of the following four broad categories:

1. Cavers from other grottos or caving organizations who are known to one or more members of OHG.

2. Non-organized cavers who are known to one or more OHG members.

3. Cavers from other grottos or caving organizations who are not known to OHG.

4. Non-organized cavers who are not known to OHG.

Considering this range of possibilities, it is difficult to to establish an ironclad, all-inclusive policy regarding the handling of visiting cavers. Often it is a judgement call by an OHG member when he or she is approached by such cavers wanting to see local caves.

Obviously, individuals known to OHG to be responsible, experienced cavers create no problem. It is the unknown cavers who necessitate the formulation of this policy.

If an OHG member is approached by someone known to him or her it will be up to that individual member to decide what course of action to follow in light of stated OHG policy.

OHG members approached by unknown cavers should follow the policy hereinafter stated.

Statement of Policy Regarding Visiting Cavers

1. Under no circumstances should cave locations be disclosed. Cave catalogs or marked topographic maps must never be provided nor shown.

2. It will be OHG policy to volunteer to guide approved cavers to area caves so long as arrangements have been made in advance.

3. For first visits, utilize only gated caves or caves that are already heavily visited and thus "safe" to show. First trips will be used to screen cavers for possible future visits.

4. OHG members who agree to accompany visiting cavers on exploratory trips should stress the importance of the possession and use of proper equipment and adherence to rules of safe caving. The NSS slogan should be stressed also to underscore the importance of cave conservation.

Handling Requests By NSS Grottos

If an OHG member other than an elected officer is approached by a member or members of an NSS grotto with whom they are not familiar, refer them to the current OHG President. If the President is not available, then the hierarchy should be followed, i.e. Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.

If the Grotto is not known to any officer or member of OHG, it will fall to the President of OHG to determine the disposition of the matter. Good relations between grottos is important, but once again, it is better to be safe than sorry.

(NOTE: This policy was compiled in November, 1985 by committee.)