What ages is the program for?

The program is designed for ages 12–18, though younger siblings and parents may attend and observe.

Is the program wheelchair accessible?

The Nature Discovery Pavilion is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible; the optional spring hike may include uneven terrain and is less accessible.

How long is the program and is there extra hiking?

The core program runs one hour; an optional 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the karst spring adds roughly 30–60 minutes depending on pace.

Bring water, closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and a willingness to handle specimens gently; nets and specimens are provided.

How do I cancel or request a refund?

Email education@lostrivercave.org at least 24 hours before the program to request a cancellation or refund.

All About Arthropods: Youth Entomology Workshop at Lost River Cave

Q: Where do we meet?

Meet at the Nature Discovery Pavilion on the Lost River Cave property.

All About Arthropods at Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky invites curious teens to step into the scaled-down wild of insects and freshwater macroinvertebrates. This one-hour program, led by butterfly habitat curator and entomology expert Mark Wilhelm, starts inside the Nature Discovery Pavilion on the Lost River Cave property and moves out onto restored prairie and, optionally, to the cave’s karst spring for a hands-on look at aquatic isopods and other macroinvertebrates.

Inside the Pavilion, participants meet live insect specimens, learn why insects matter to healthy ecosystems, and inspect morphology up close. The hands-on segment gives teens practice with nets and field kits as they sweep the prairie restoration area for grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies, and predatory insects that indicate habitat quality. The optional 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the karst spring introduces students to limestone karst topography common in south-central Kentucky and the unique aquatic creatures that make these springs biologically rich.

What makes this program special is its combination of classroom clarity and field practice. Mark Wilhelm’s role as lead butterfly habitat curator means the presentation ties real management work—prairie restoration and pollinator-friendly plantings—to the tiny animals that depend on them. The cave’s spring and its associated riffles are excellent places to find macroinvertebrates and freshwater isopods in limestone-influenced water, a niche ecosystem that doesn’t get much attention on typical trail guides.

Families and educators appreciate that the Nature Discovery Pavilion is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, though the optional spring hike may include uneven footing and requires careful footwear. The experience is expressly designed for ages 12–18 but allows younger siblings and parents to observe. Bring water, closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and a willingness to get hands dirty—nets and specimens are part of the learning.

This program sits within the outdoor recreation landscape of Bowling Green, Kentucky, offering a compact, science-forward activity that complements hiking or cave tours at Lost River Cave. It’s an excellent half-day option for visiting families or school groups who want a focused, expert-led introduction to entomology and freshwater ecology. Register through the booking link to reserve spots and check accessibility details; contact [email protected] for cancellations. Expect an engaging, curiosity-driven hour that opens a small but intricate world—one insect at a time.

Lost River Cave staff emphasize ethical handling and observational respect; participants will be coached to avoid harming specimens and to follow Leave No Trace principles while on prairie and near the spring. For teachers, the program doubles as a curriculum-aligned field trip that reinforces topics in ecology, life cycles, and conservation. Car parking is available near the Nature Discovery Pavilion; restrooms are in the gift shop. The short footprint and expert instruction make this an efficient, memorable science stop while exploring south-central Kentucky. Today.

About Lost River Cave

Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a natural destination offering guided tours, hands-on workshops, seasonal events, and educational programs focused on the region’s karst landscape and native ecology. The site operates Kentucky’s only underground boat tour, a 45-minute Cave Boat Tour that combines scenic walking and a guided ride through the cave’s passageways and historical sites. Beyond the boat tour, Lost River Cave hosts a rotating lineup of experiences that include woodworking demonstrations with Wildland Woodworks, tree walks led by certified arborists, hiking focused on karst hydrogeology, and craft workshops such as hiking stick building and pollinator seed bomb making. Educational events extend to meadow BioBlitz plant inventories, composting workshops with Compost Bowling Green, and periodic community fitness and wellness activities like Yoga at the Cave and timed races such as the Snow Flurry Scurry 5K.

Programs are presented in partnership with local experts and community organizations, including Wildland Woodworks, Wild Ones Southern Kentucky Chapter, Compost Bowling Green, and certified arborist Chad Singer, ensuring subject-matter knowledge during guided experiences. Lost River Cave balances recreational access with interpretation of natural and cultural history, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about karst features, groundwater dynamics, native plants, and wildlife while participating in conservation-minded activities.

Visitors can expect scheduled programs that emphasize hands-on participation, natural interpretation, and stewardship. Lost River Cave serves as a regional hub for outdoor education, local partnerships, and experiential learning rooted in the unique geology and ecology of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Programs accommodate families and individual explorers.

All About Arthropods: Youth Entomology Workshop at Lost River Cave

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