By Lakes Version Internet Content material Supervisor
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10 Feb, 2021

(Photographs courtesy of Cave of the Mounds) The place in Wisconsin are you able to enterprise outdoor in a comparatively balmy 50 F in the midst of February? The Cave of the Mounds in fact.. Awe inspiring and academic this geological wonderland has all of the components of an incredible, household discipline journey and extra. The Cave of the Mounds’s designation as a Nationwide Pure Landmark by the Nationwide Park Service in 1987 acknowledges the positioning’s historic, geological and academic significance to Wisconsin and the Midwest. In these pandemic occasions, dad and mom should discover a steadiness between digital studying and protected choices for childhood studying and improvement exterior the house. From up-close and private moments with 400 million years of Earth historical past to the geological means of how Speleothems like stalactites and stalagmites are shaped, the Cave of the Mounds really lives as much as their nickname “Wisconsin’s Oldest Classroom.” The cave workers additionally supplies plenty of science experiments and curriculum’s to satisfy the inquisitiveness of any budding earth scientist or geologist. Youngsters can crack open a geode, or sift sand for gems on website or obtain one in all many, instructional actions from the Cave of the Mounds’ web site . The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges to all of us as we navigate our household’s lives with their security and well being on the forefront. The Cave of the Mounds, in accordance with Dane County’s COVID-19 tips, has put plenty of new security measures in place for his or her guests and workers. Gone is the standard tour with a information, until you reserve a VIP bundle on-line or in particular person. The Blue Mounds’ space cave like Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park has applied self-guided excursions to higher handle group sizes for social distancing. Moreover, the cave has added again lit indicators to focus on instructional moments alongside the route to assist information the self-paced excursions. The cave’s tour route is configured in a one-way loop to manage foot visitors, and guides at the moment are stationed at two areas within the cave to reply all questions.. Different facility-wide security measures on the cave embrace hand sanitizing stations, frequent cleansing of all railings, door handles, money registers and bank card pads. Masks carrying is obligatory for all workers and guests each within the present store and the cave itself. “We’ve got acquired numerous calls from guests pointedly approving what precautions now we have taken,” says Jan Okeson, Operations Supervisor at Cave of the Mounds. Okeson additionally famous for probably the most half guests have complied with masks carrying necessities and that solely a handful of Instagramers posing for selfies have taken off their masks whereas contained in the cave. Happily, there are cave guides stationed all through the 1/2 mile tour in order that assistance is at all times close by. Lastly, if you wish to have “Wisconsin’s oldest classroom” all to your self Okeson recommends visiting Tuesdays by Thursdays which are usually the slowest days of the week. In case you go to bear in mind to masks up, keep your social distance of 6 toes always. Take care and keep protected! HOURS Weekdays: 9 am to five pm Final tour entry at 4 pm Weekends: 9 am to five pm Final tour entry at 4 pm CONTACT Cellphone: 608-437-3038 DIRECTIONS From Madison exit 258 off the Beltline (Hwy 12/18.) to merge onto to Hwy 18W/151S. Take Hwy. 151 south for 25 miles and exit onto Cave of the Mounds Street. The Cave of the Mounds is positioned at 2975 Cave of the Mounds Street. 511 Wisconsin For as much as the minute winter driving circumstances in southern Wisconsin go to the Wisconsin DOT’s 511 Wisconsin or name 511 or (866) 511-9472.