The roar from the football stands, the final seconds of a close basketball game, the opening notes of a student concert and the curtain rising inside the Performing Arts Center are all part of the school experience that Grants Pass School District 7 hopes more local seniors will share this year.
Registration is now open for the Caveman Golden Pass, giving Josephine County residents age 62 and older complimentary admission to many Grants Pass High School athletic and fine arts events throughout the 2026-27 school year.
The program brings two generations of the community together in a setting where students spend countless hours practicing, rehearsing, competing and performing. Whether the destination is a stadium, gymnasium, concert hall or theater seat, the Golden Pass gives eligible residents another opportunity to participate in the life of their local schools while watching students put their work before an audience.
Football, basketball and volleyball are among the athletic events included in the program, while concerts, plays and other student performances expand the pass well beyond the playing field.
For District 7, the Caveman Golden Pass was established to strengthen the connection between Josephine County seniors and the students and schools serving their community.
“We want our seniors to know they have a place in our schools,” Grants Pass School District 7 Superintendent Tim Sweeney said. “Our students and staff work incredibly hard, and there is something special about having members of our community in the stands and in the audience cheering them on. The Caveman Golden Pass gives us an opportunity to bring generations of our community together while celebrating our students.”
That connection can take many forms during a school year.
A Golden Pass holder might spend one evening watching the Cavemen compete beneath the stadium lights and another listening to students perform inside the Performing Arts Center. Basketball and volleyball bring spectators into the gym during their respective seasons, while theater, music and other fine arts programs offer an entirely different view of student achievement.
The variety is an important part of the program. High school life extends far beyond any single sport or activity, and the Golden Pass provides seniors with access to many of the places where students develop their abilities before teammates, classmates, families and members of the broader community.
“Whether you enjoy high school athletics, live performances, music, or the arts, there are so many ways to experience the talent and dedication of our students,” District 7 Communications Specialist Kristin Hosfelt said. “We hope our Golden Cavemen will come out, enjoy an event, and see firsthand what our students are accomplishing.”
Eligibility extends to Josephine County residents age 62 and older. Seniors interested in participating can register through the Caveman Golden Pass section of the Grants Pass School District 7 website.
During registration, participants select one of two locations where they can pick up their pass. The District 7 Office is located at 725 NE Dean Drive, while the Grants Pass High School Athletic Office is located at 830 NE Ninth Street.
Once issued, the Caveman Golden Pass is valid throughout the 2026-27 school year for qualifying events.
The complimentary pass does not cover every competition or performance held during the year. Specially ticketed events, tournaments and postseason competitions are excluded, meaning regular admission requirements may apply when Golden Pass holders attend those activities.
For longtime Josephine County residents, the program also provides an opportunity to walk back through the doors of their community schools regardless of whether they currently have children or grandchildren enrolled in the district. The faces in the classrooms and uniforms may change from generation to generation, but school athletics and the performing arts continue to provide gathering places where residents can see what local students are building, practicing and accomplishing.
That community presence can fill a seat in the auditorium, add another voice to the crowd in the gym or put another supporter in the stands on game night.
As Grants Pass students prepare for another year of competition and performance, District 7 is making sure Josephine County seniors have an invitation to be there for it.
For those 62 and older, the Caveman Golden Pass offers a simple ticket back into the sights, sounds and energy of the school year, with plenty of games still to be played, music to be performed and curtains waiting to rise.