For adults & youth.
 
Step into the darkness of Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave and uncover a story that intertwines Black history, geology, and ecology in extraordinary ways. This Field Trip Travel Guide takes you deep underground—and deep into the past—to explore how enslaved African American guides, like the legendary Stephen Bishop, transformed one of the world’s most mysterious cave systems into a site of discovery, courage, and legacy.
 
Through carefully curated books, videos, podcasts, and onsite activities, travelers trace the footsteps of Bishop and his peers, whose knowledge and bravery mapped the underground world long before modern equipment existed. The guide also reveals Mammoth Cave’s complex human history—from its role in 19th-century tourism and scientific exploration to the haunting remains of its tuberculosis hospital experiment.
 
Beyond its human story, the guide delves into the cave’s natural wonders: the slow artistry of stalactites and stalagmites, the rare creatures that thrive in total darkness, and the fragile ecosystems that depend on balance above and below ground.
 
Perfect for learners of all ages, this immersive DIY guide blends storytelling, travel, and reflection to help you see Mammoth Cave not just as a geological marvel, but as a living monument to resilience, science, and the intertwined histories of people and place.