by arachiya1 » Feb 6, 2020 6:08 am
Once an NSS institutional member, my tribe purchased land near Belleview for our new nation (our old one was located around Rock Springs, near Apopka). The caves were an important factor in selecting the land. Their existence discourages development. The tribe has its own caving program, TERRANAUT CORPS, which explores, digs out and maps the cave on the property. It is currently based in Pine Hills, next to Orlando and we visit the cave as often as possible and also to work on the property. Sadly, those who were interested in participating, usually never returned to the meetings. We had one person in Ocala who was going to lead our first chapter, but he violated our rules and procedures by trespassing, telling others where our property was, not following established procedures, not having his friends sign waivers, not accompanying them and not notifying us that he planned a trip to the property (all of which is mentioned on the waivers and rules he was given. Sadder still, he is an NSS member and president of the local Grotto). They were caught on camera and refused to admit that they broke the law. They now have police records. So we are no longer going to have chapter groups and no one may go to the tribe's property without a tribal member accompanying them.
Our ad appears periodically in the Orlando Sentinel under clubs; Order of the Skywatcher Clan.