Combined Services Caving Association

The aims of the Combined Services Caving Association are to:

· Promote caving within the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy in the UK.
· Provide opportunities for service cavers to widen their experience.
· Provide opportunities to gain leadership qualifications
· Represent the interests of CSCA members on regional and national bodies.
· Provide a link and support for cavers in the three services.
· Organize meets and expeditions for members.
· Contribute towards cave research.
· Provide advice on caving to the MoD, military units and individuals.

Membership

Membership is open to all serving and retired members of the Regular and Voluntary Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, MoD civilians and dependents. The CSCA membership currently stands at 206. Of these, there are: 29 cave leaders, 18 instructors and 26 local cave leaders.

Training and Qualifications

All service personnel and MoD employees are entitled to attend training and assessment courses. These courses are run from the Joint Services Mountain Training Wing (JSMTW), Ripon, North Yorkshire. They provide high quality courses and produce safe and well-motivated cavers. The CSCA provides support, leadership, equipment and the opportunity for these cavers to continue with their caving activities.

The CSCA works with the JSMTW (Ripon) on all technical matters and in the development of caving within the services. The CSCA plays an active role in the development and application of new techniques and provides technical assistance and technical publications.

Meets and Expeditions

The CSCA has an 'Area Rep' in each of the main caving regions in the UK. These reps organise meets in their region and are able to offer advice and assistance to members.