Third grade students from Tyrone Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit to Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks, near Huntingdon, before school ended.
The students participated in interpretive tours of Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks. Touring winding passageways and splendid rooms, the participants heard the interesting history of the discovery of the caverns and viewed the widest variety of speleothems, or cave formations, in Pennsylvania.
A visit to the gift shop, panning for gems and a ‘picnic-style lunch’ were incorporated into their day, along with the cavern tour.
The students also participated in a “Fossils Workshop”, one of Lincoln Caverns’ nine “Geoworks” geology and cave workshops. During the 45 minute sessions, students learned about kinds of fossils, how fossilization occurs and had the opportunity to make their own fossils. The third graders also searched for their own fossils to take home.
Prior to the interpretive tours, Tim Hawn, a member of the Lincoln Caverns staff, presented the pre-tour program, “An Introduction to Speleology, the Study of Caves and Cave Life.”
During the presentation, students learned about caves and cave life and were given the opportunity to get a closer look at some speleothems.
Lincoln Caverns’ educational programs are now in their twenty-fifth year. Last season, over 75 schools hundreds of Scout and youth groups from Pennsylvania and surrounding states participated in the tours and educational programs.
The 2006-07 season at Lincoln Caverns also features badge programs for all ages of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and youth groups.
Programs are offered year round in Lincoln Caverns’ indoor educational facility. Overnight facilities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts include indoor lodging and primitive camping. Group leaders who would like more information about youth programs and Lincoln Caverns’ other educational offerings are invited to call 643-0268; email info@lincolncaverns.com; write to Lincoln Caverns, Inc., RR 1, Box 280, Huntingdon, PA 16652, or visit the website at www.lincolncaverns.com.
