Full schedule for Spring Convention 2026
Eleonore Lc
Schedule for Spring Convention 2026
325 Kreutzberg Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
Friday April 17th
3pm: Campers may start arriving. Access to electric hookups is first-come first-served. Additional hookups were recently installed at the campground.
Friday night: Dinner on your own
Saturday April 18th
9am: Speleothem repair workshop led by Mike Mansur meets directly in the new conference room behind the ticket counter (inside the house on the left of the cave entrance). Materials will be provided by Mike. You may buy his book for $30 after class.
9am: Digging crew gathers at the pavilion before carpooling to Cricket Cave (2min from Cave Without a Name- same property). Lead is Dane Smith. Dig will last 3h.
9:30 am: Rescue workshop attendees meet at the pavilion before going to the workshop area nearby. Lead is Michael ‘Mowgli’ Swartz. Workshop will last 2/3h.
9:30 am: Sketching workshop attendees meet at the pavilion before carpooling to Cricket Cave. Lead is David Ochel. Workshop will last 3h.
10am: Spring Creek Cave trip attendees gather at the pavilion. Sturdy shoes and good mobility required for the hike to the cave. Trip will take 1h or so.
11 to noon: TCMA Members Meeting at the pavilion
Lunch on your own
Afternoon talks inside the cave. Times indicated include Q&A.
1 to 1:45pm: Peter Sprouse on Cueva Sin Fin
Exploration of the deepest cave in the municipality of Ocampo, and the recovery of at-risk native American burials, in conjunction with INAH.
1:45 to 2:45pm: George Veni on Robber Baron
Robber Baron Cave is the best known and longest cave in Bexar County. It is owned by the Texas Cave Management Association and contains two federally listed endangered species plus one bat species proposed for endangered listing. Detailed quarterly biological surveys of the cave began in October 2023, all supported by members of the Bexar Grotto. The surveys are the basis for a habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the cave, developed with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This presentation will show the results of the surveys to date, and discuss what they mean for continued caving, research, and public events at the cave.
2:45 to 3:30pm: Marvin Miller will give and update on the exploration of Dinosaur Cave.
Dinosaur Cave was first mapped by cavers in the early 1960’s but trips were few and the cave is extensive. In 2020 we got the opportunity to fully explore the cave and do a new survey. We discovered a lower stream level that we are still pushing. This talk covers the current project and state of exploration.
3:30 to 4:15: Joe Mitchell on a new survey technique that only requires a phone
5:30pm Dinner is served at the pavilion
6pm: Photo Salon and Map Salon awards followed by Auction starts at the pavilion
8pm: Story-telling time or ballad time, depending on interest and talent at the pavilion
Sunday April 19th
9am-10am: TSA Breakfast and Members meeting
10 to noon: Tents take-down. Please lend your help to the folks taking the tents and shops down and loading the trailer.
Noon: Last campers leave.