Ledgeview Nature Center

[MrKhay]

Ledgeview Nature Center is located two miles south of Chilton, Wisconsin. The site was purchased from Zimmermann in 1969. The nature center was built in 1981, and an addition was constructed in 1986. In 1998 the Frisch Family exhibit hall was constructed.

Visitors can walk or ski trails, or visit a nature center which explains the geology of the area, including the drumlins, Niagara Escarpment and other post-glacial features. There are several caves that visitors can tour by appointment. There is a tower where visitors can view the countryside and Chilton.

The park features three natural solution caves, the only caves in Eastern Wisconsin.

Every spring the park has a large fundraiser called Maple Syrup Sunday, where visitors can enjoy a pancake breakfast with 100% maple syrup. Volunteers demonstrate tapping, collecting, and boiling the syrup.

In summer the park hosts a fundraiser called the Escarpment Bicycle Tour. There are bicycle tours from 10 to 100 miles.

Every autumn the park hosts the Fall Spectacular near the peak of the fall leaves.

[MrKhay]

Ledge View operates a maple syruping operation from mid-March to mid-April. Late winter/early spring starts the freeze-thaw cycle that prompts maple trees to begin pumping their sweet sap. The sap is boiled down to make maple syrup. As weather becomes warmer, the sap flow wanes and ends. In the meantime, birds begin to migrate back into the area, and chipmunks, woodfrogs, and insects reappear in the woods.

The general public has three options: You can view the operation during any hike through the woods at syruping time; you can come to the open house fundraiser, Maple Syrup Sunday. This event takes place at the end of March or beginning of April. On that date, visitors can enjoy pure maple syrup on pancakes etc., learn some of the history of maple syruping, and participate in a tapping tour. YOU get to help find the maple tree, tap it, and collect sap. There is a charge for the breakfast, but the tours are free. This event goes on rain, snow, or shine. In fact, the sap flows better when we have had snow. Or you can watch for the backyard maple syruping workshop in early March, when a naturalist will teach you how to do it all yourself.

Schools and groups can reserve a maple syruping field trip during the sap season. They will learn about Native American and pioneers' maple syruping methods, in addition to "how trees work." Students will hike out to find a maple tree to tap. They will take turns tapping it using a hammer and a bitted brace. If sap has been flowing, students will have the opportunity to taste and collect sap. They will also see stages of the syrup-making process. The program concludes with maple syrup on vanilla ice cream. The Calumet County resident fee is $3 per student; non-county $3.50 per student. Adult chaperones no charge unless they want ice cream, and 50 cents per covers that. Please do not email for reservations. Reservations must be made by phone contact.

School field trips

This half-day program (about two hours) is a sweet way to teach students about a uniquely North American sweetener and how plants make sugar. Reservations are accepted for all age groups. Visitors should dress for the weather-- they will be walking trails (muddy?) and standing out around a tree in the woods (temperature? precipitation?).

[MrKhay]

Here's a listing of upcoming events scheduled for Ledge View Nature Center. Ledge View is located at W2348 Short Rd. located just south of Chilton off Hwy. G. For more information, contact Ledge View at (920) 849-7094 or visit their web site by clicking here.

1:00 Cave Tours

Sat., May 19 Sat., May 26

Sun., May 20 Sun., May 27

CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY

Sat., June 2 Sun., June 3

Tours all summer long, most Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends at 1 pm. Schedule will be posted on website (click here for website), or call to confirm.

Take a naturalist-guided tour of Carolyn’s Caverns and Montgomery Cave. Learn the geology, biology, and human history of the caves. Opportunities for exploring will be provided. Caves are naturally dark, damp, and dirty. Wear layers and plan on getting dirty. Flashlights helpful. Caves accessed by stairs and ladders. Recommended minimum age five years old with parent. Minors must be accompanied by supervising adult. Tours last two to three hours. (No access to caves except on guided tour.) Please arrive before 1:00. $5 per person.



10 a.m. Adventure Cave Tours

Sat., June 16

Sat., June 23

Sat., June 30

Most Saturdays through summer. Call to confirm. Take a naturalist-guided tour of Carolyn’s Caverns and Mother’s Cave. Mother’s Cave is ALL CRAWLING. Need to fit through a space roughly 12 x 18 inches. (Most people do.) Learn the geology, biology, and human history of the caves. Opportunities for exploring will be provided. Caves are naturally dark, damp, and dirty. Wear long sleeves and plan on getting very dirty. Bring a flashlight. Caves accessed by stairs and ladders. Recommended minimum age eight years old with parent. Minors must be accompanied by supervising adult. Tours last two to three hours. (No access to caves except on guided tour.) Please arrive before 10 a.m. $6 per person.



Other Scheduled Events

Escarpment Bicycle Tour, Sun., Aug. 12

Fall Food Festival, Sat., Sept. 15

Halloween Candlelight Cave Tours, Oct. 19-20, 6-8:30 pm

__________________________________________________ _________________

What is CNS?



CNS is Calumet Nature Studies, Ledge View’s nonprofit friends group. CNS members support Ledge View’s educational programs and exhibits. Members receive the quarterly publication “Ledge View” and can participate in CNS-sponsored programs at a discount. There are also many volunteer opportunities if you’d like to “get involved!”



Annual Membership Rates



Student and Senior Citizen $8; Individual $10; Family $20; Organization $30; Contributor $40; Life $500



For more information, call Ledge View Nature Center at (920) 849-7094.

[MrKhay]

Ledge View has three caves. They are natural holes in bedrock dolostone, a type of limestone. They were formed by groundwater and glacial meltwater. Their temperature ranges from 48 to 56F. Their conditions depend on the weather outside-- if we get a lot of rain, the caves can be wet and muddy. These caves are continuously excavated by the Wisconsin Speleological Society and hired crews, so things change every year.

There is no access to the caves except on a scheduled tour. The caves are accessed via stairs and ladders. All cave tours are guided by a naturalist and include information about the biology, geology, and human history of the caves. Tours can last two to three hours. There is no electrical lighting in the caves, nor any concrete walkways. Visitors will have opportunities to crawl through passageways and explore. Visitors should bring a flashlight and plan on getting dirty! No food, drink, candy, or gum is allowed in the caves. Photos are permitted. Screaming is not.

For the general public, walk-in tours are offered most weekends and some weekdays, May through October. Tours visit either Carolyn's and Montgomery Cave, or Carolyn's and Mothers Cave. Please consult the schedule or call the nature center for more information. Only one or two tours will run on any scheduled date, and participants need to have "registered" at the front desk by the tour start time. Our recommended minimum age for the Carolyn's-Montgomery tour is five years old, accompanied by a parent. The charge is a flat per-person rate of $5. See FAQs below for Mothers Cave. The Mothers Cave tour is $6 per person.

The caves are open for schools and groups from mid-April to mid-November. Reservations are required. Schools and groups receive a discounted tour rate: Calumet County $4 per person, Non-County $4.50 per person. The minimum group size is 12. The maximum is about 35. Depending on staff availability, larger groups can also be accommodated, but will be divided. Keep in mind that the larger your group, the more crowded the cave, and the less time your members may have to enjoy it. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. Because the caves require a degree of safety awareness, ability to listen, and physical dexterity, we recommend grade 3 and up for this field trip, which will visit Carolyn's and/or Montgomery Cave. Mothers Cave may be visited by grades 6 and up. All minors must be supervised by a responsible adult. Please do not email for reservations. Reservations must be made by phone contact.

School Field Trips

Caving is a great way for kids to learn about Wisconsin's geology and be challenged with a hands-on adventure. Reservations are accepted for grade 3 and up. Full-day (about five hours) and half-day field trips available.

Montgomery Cave

Visited since the 1860s. Has a history of human impact, four crawl passages, and fossils.

Carolyn's Caverns

Includes Bat Room, Dave's Sink, and Wayne's World. Has three crawl passages, drip formations, and glacial meltwater features.

Mother's Cave

The adventure cave! It is ALL CRAWLING. It includes the Squeeze-- large people who want to go through this cave should visit the nature center and see if they can get their body through the box simulation. It is roughly 12 x 18 inches. Most people do fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do kids have to be to go in the caves? Five years old with parental supervision is our recommended minimum age for Montgomery Cave and Carolyn's Caverns. Children need to be able to get up and down ladders safely, and behave in a safe way inside the cave. They need to be able to sit quietly and listen to directions etc. Kids must be at least eight years old and supervised by parent to go in Mother's Cave.

Do I have to get dirty? You will be directed to sit down inside the caves, so your fanny will get dirty. Whether you get dirtier than that will be up to you. If you go in Mother's Cave, you WILL get dirtier.

Are there bats in the caves? Sorry, that's a "cave question." You'll find the answer when you get to the cave.



The Entrance to "Mother's Cave"