Available courses

Level 1 | 2026-06-15 | FAKE, Fakestate

The Level 1 Trainer course is designed for experienced cavers who want to teach the VTC curriculum to other cavers. The course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for teaching vertical caving techniques safely and effectively. Designed for trainers working with beginners, the course covers essential rigging principles, proper use of equipment, safety procedures, student evaluation, and instructional best practices. Participants will learn how to set up and manage training environments, assess student progress, and ensure adherence to established safety standards.

Level 1 Course | 2026-03-13 | Huntsville, Alabama

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in Huntsville, AL. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

Level 1 Course | 2026-04-10 | Williamsville, Virginia

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in [City, State]. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

Level 1 Course | 2026-06-19 | Olive Hill, Kentucky

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in [City, State]. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

Level 1 Course | 2026-04-24 | Riverton, West Virginia

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in [City, State]. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

Level 1 Course Template (Use this one for students)

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in [City, State]. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

Trainer Course Template (Use this one)

The Level 1 Trainer course is designed for experienced cavers who want to teach the VTC curriculum to other cavers. The course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for teaching vertical caving techniques safely and effectively. Designed for trainers working with beginners, the course covers essential rigging principles, proper use of equipment, safety procedures, student evaluation, and instructional best practices. Participants will learn how to set up and manage training environments, assess student progress, and ensure adherence to established safety standards.

VTC Trainer Course - January 2026

The Level 1 Trainer course is designed for experienced cavers who want to teach the VTC curriculum to other cavers. The course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for teaching vertical caving techniques safely and effectively. Designed for trainers working with beginners, the course covers essential rigging principles, proper use of equipment, safety procedures, student evaluation, and instructional best practices. Participants will learn how to set up and manage training environments, assess student progress, and ensure adherence to established safety standards.

VTC Trainer Course - November 2025

The Level 1 Trainer course is designed for experienced cavers who want to teach the VTC curriculum to other cavers. The course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for teaching vertical caving techniques safely and effectively. Designed for trainers working with beginners, the course covers essential rigging principles, proper use of equipment, safety procedures, student evaluation, and instructional best practices. Participants will learn how to set up and manage training environments, assess student progress, and ensure adherence to established safety standards.

Master Trainer Materials

Training materials for MTs

Level I Trainer Course June 2025

The Level 1 Trainer course is designed for experienced cavers who want to teach the VTC curriculum to other cavers. The course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on skills for teaching vertical caving techniques safely and effectively. Designed for trainers working with beginners, the course covers essential rigging principles, proper use of equipment, safety procedures, student evaluation, and instructional best practices. Participants will learn how to set up and manage training environments, assess student progress, and ensure adherence to established safety standards.

Level I Course Resources for Trainers

The Level 1 Trainer course is designed for experienced cavers who want to teach the VTC curriculum to other cavers. This course contains many of the materials needed by trainers to organize and run a course, as well as supplemental documents, such as student gear check offs and evaluations.

VTC Level I - Utah 2025

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in Rome, GA. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

VTC Level 1 - Rome, GA 2025

On behalf of The National Speleological Society’s Vertical Training Commission, welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course in Rome, GA. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment, with a great group of students and high-quality instruction. We look forward to working with you!

VTC Level I - Indianapolis February 19-22, 2026

Welcome to the VTC Level 1, Basic Vertical course Indianapolis, Indiana. This course will take place from February 19-22, 2026. We hope you will find this course to be a helpful and fun learning environment. We look forward to working with you!