Carter Caves State Resort Park will host a Bat Cave Extreme Trip Saturday May 31, 2008. This is part of the Kentucky Backcountry Series that is found at many state parks throughout Kentucky. There are still 10 spots left for the trip. Pre-registration is required.

Here are details about this trip:

NAME: BAT CAVE EXTREME

DATES OFFERED: May 31 and July 12, 2008

TIME: 9:30AM (5 hrs)

MEETING PLACE: Carter Caves Welcome Center

DESCRIPTION: This is an extreme cave excursion into the largest cave at the park. Participants must be at least 15 years old to go on the trip. The trip will include stooping, bending, climbing and lots of crawling through the dark muddy passages of Bat Cave. You will get wet and muddy. You will encounter passages that require hand and knee crawls and belly crawls. Do not attempt this trip if you are claustrophobic, have a bad back, knees, or if you are not in good health.

FEE: $20 per person (PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED)

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 12

PARK-PROVIDED EQUIPMENT: Helmet, Headlamp and Kneepads.

PARTICPANTS REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: A backup flashlight with new batteries, long pants and shirt, sturdy boots that cover the ankle, at least two bottles of water, a pack lunch (that is cave friendly and will not smash in your pack while crawling) and a pack to carry your equipment.

PARTICIPANTS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: Elbow pads, a camera (needs to be in a protective case), and a change of cloths for after the trip.

Carter Caves State Resort Park is located at 344 Caveland Drive in Olive Hill, Ky. The park has a lodge with restaurant, cottages and campground. Besides cave tours, activities include hiking, swimming, boating and fishing. For more information, call 606-286-441 ext. 2543.

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov.