Oregon Caves National Monument - Fee Waivers (U.S. National Park Service)

Oregon Caves National Monument Educational Fee Waiver Instructions

The following information has been taken directly from National park Service Regulations (NPS-22). This is the guideline to be followed in granting education fee waivers. Bona fide educational or scientific institutions may qualify if the following conditions are met. Please Read Carefully.

Your application packages must contain all of the following:

Current official documentation of recognition of affiliation as an educational institution by a Federal, State or local government entity, or other evidence attesting to educational status is attached (e.g. Accreditation Letter or an Educational Tax Exemption Letter). It is insufficient to merely state or imply this on official letterhead. Your fee waiver cannot be processed without one of these documents submitted with your application.
There must be a direct relationship between the visit purpose and the use of the Park. The visit must be to study some aspect/resource specific to Oregon Caves. A general statement to the effect that the visit is for “educational purposes” is insufficient by itself. An explanation of what the educational purpose entails and how is related to the Park resources is required. (Course outlines, lesson plans, or a copy of the curriculum meet this requirement).
The applicant is providing educational credit house based on a specific course of instruction. The visit shall not be primarily for recreation purposes. This requirement can be met by stating the course number, description, and/or a copy of the catalog description for college courses or an outline of student work required for K-12.
Fee Waiver Form (352 KB pdf file). Download and complete the form then fax or mail it to Oregon Caves, Attention: Dave Thompson (the fax number and address are on the form). If you do not have the software to view this file, download it.

Chaperones are Required

Number of Chaperones allowed for each waiver will be:

College students – 1 Chaperone per 15 students
High School students – 2 Chaperones per 14 students
Elementary students – 2 Chaperones per 14 students

For example: an elementary school group of 12 students is accepted for a fee waiver. The 20 students may be accompanied by 4 Chaperones at no cost. Additional chaperones must pay the standard group fee to participate on a cave tour.

Other Important Information

Applications must be received in the Superintendent’s Office 4 weeks in advance of the anticipated visit. Refunds will not be granted. Fee waivers will not be given after arrival at the Monument. Fees will be waived only if each group presents a copy of the approved fee waiver.

When the Visit is Recreational...

You are entered as an “organized – noncommercial” group. The following fees are then in effect:

Children 6-16 years of age and younger pay a children’s expanded amenity recreation group fee of $4.00.
All other individuals 17 years of age and older are charged a $6.00 per person expanded amenity group recreation fee.
America the Beautiful Senior Pass, America the Beautiful Access Pass, Golden Age Passport, and Golden Access Passport allow only the cardholders to receive a 50% discount on regularly priced tours.

Fee waivers are not granted solely or partially on distance to their facilities and/or economic justification.

Organizations that are generally considered service, civic, or fraternal, e.g. Scouting, Rotary, Elks, and so forth do not qualify for the educational fee waiver, unless they met the above applicable criteria.