About BCA

The British Caving Association is the national body for underground exploration in Great Britain. We represent individuals and groups with a genuine interest in caves, karst and associated phenomena, whether from a strictly sporting viewpoint, a scientific viewpoint, or a combination of both. Through close liaison with our member organisation, NAMHO we also seek to represent and support mining history societies and all those with an interest in the man-made underground environment.

Through our democratic structure and network of Regional Councils we will:

• Maintain and seek to improve access to caves and sites of speleological interest.
• Seek to achieve a better public understanding of all matters to do with caves & caving
• Encourage and support cave conservation in its widest interpretation.
• Promote and advise on training, equipment, science and safety.
• Promote and administer caver training.
• Provide necessary services and information on behalf of cavers in general, and promote an exchange of ideas and information between members.
• Organise and/or support meeting and events, including training, conservation, science and education.

How We Work…

Membership of the BCA is open to any individual, club or other group with an interest in cave or abandoned-mine exploration.

For further information see our membership pages and our list of our member clubs.

The BCA is a democratic organisation, answerable to our membership at General Meetings (typically an AGM each summer) and run through the year by an elected National Council. Specific aspects of BCA’s work, including hands on-implementation of many regional conservation, training and access initiatives are handled on our behalf by the BCA-funded Regional Councils, and different facets are covered by our Constituent Bodies.

By joining the BCA, as well as giving your support and voice to the UK’s national body, you are contributing to a central pot of funds, which is distributed to support conservation, access, training, equipment, safety, exploration, research and campaigning initiatives nationally. These funds help support our members, promote caving and provide membership benefits including public liability insurance and access to a travel insurance scheme.