We welcome all schools to Cave Hollow! There are so many fun learning opportunities available with two caves to tour, meeting Mr. Mark Twain in Mark Twain Live, gemstone sluicing, and study guides available to download before your visit.
Mark Twain Cave is an hour long tour, all electrically lit, which offers a great educational journey for students of all ages, but especially those who are studying Mark Twain or reading through Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Cameron Cave is guided by flashlight and about an hour and a half long tour. Cameron Tours are offered in the late spring through the early fall. We would encourage you to call and ask for availability. Cameron Cave is a great fit for students who are interested in focusing a little more on cave formations and geology rather than Mark Twain Cave which has the literary and historical side to the tour.
Sticks, Stones, and Bones Nature Center has a 50ft outdoor sluice that students are able to pan for gemstones for $5.50 per bag if they are ordered in advance. We also have three different study guides you can download before your visit on Bats, Rocks and Minerals, and Cave Formation. You can click the names here or find them in the drop down menu under Study Guides.
Mark Twain Live is a great addition that can really enhance your Cave Hollow experience. Students will get to know the “real Twain” in an hour long performance by Jim Waddell as Mark Twain. We like to suggest the Mark Twain Live show for older students as the hour long performance can be hard for the youngest students to sit through. The live show will only be available during certain times of the year, please call for availability.
Hot catered lunches are available through our HyVee in the Hollow Sandwich Shop upon reservation. The hot lunches are $6 per person with the option of adding a jumbo cookie for $1 each. You can click here to see the Menu. We reserve the pavilion here on the grounds for your group when you have your lunch catered by us. Otherwise, the pavilion is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Please give us a call and we will be happy to help you set up your field trip! You can mix and match any of the things we offer to your tour, or if you want help planning a fun filled day, you can call us and ask for Julie Fohey or Tessa Hosmer and ask for packages under $19 per student.
Things to remember for your adventure:
1. 52 degrees (Mark Twain) and 56 degrees (Cameron) year round
2. A jacket or sweater is recommended
3. Sensible walking shoes are recommended
4. No backpacks are allowed on the tour
5. No food or beverages are allowed in the cave
| Mark Twain Cave Tour : (Allow 1 hour) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regular Admission: | Group Rate 20% off for 20 or more people when paid in one lump sum. : | School Group Rate (Must be paid in one lump sum) : |
| $22.95 (13 years old and up) | $18.36 (13 years old and up) | $15.00 (8th Grade and up) |
| $12.95 (Children 4 - 12) | $10.36 (Children 4-12) | $10.00 (7th Grade and under) |
| We comp one staff member for every 10 students that are booked. Bus drivers also are comped. | ||
| Please bring a copy of tax exemption letter if applicable. | ||
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