Local Girl Scouts explore depths of cave
Local Girl Scouts got a taste of the underground recently when they attended the first Cumberland Caverns Scout Day. Brownie Troop 2910, and Cadette Troops 2909 and 2191 from McMinnville joined troops from surrounding cities including Brentwood, Smyrna, Murfreesboro and Franklin.
The outing drew a total of 172 scouts to the local attraction for a day of exploration and education. Activities included a guided tour of the cave and a slide show featuring the history of the caverns where the scouts learned about the original explorers and the challenges they faced opening up and mapping the huge cave.
Scouts also learned about some of the more spectacular geological features of the caverns, including gypsum flowers formed from calcium sulfate, stalactites and stalagmites, and some of the large formations created by untold centuries of underground erosion and mineral deposits.
After the tours, the scouts were treated to a brown bag lunch in the dining area of the cave with sandwiches, chips and dessert.
Plans are for the outing to become an annual event, eventually including Boy Scouts as well.