I was at Geowoodstock yesterday and for the most part enjoyed the event. However, I can't say that I walked away with a positive impression of whatever organization was represented by the individuals giving the "Reviewers'" educational session.
The topic was the limitations on distance between caches and there was a woman with the mic. She was attempting to justify this rule but during the period I was listening she did not list any practical considerations ( for example, in an open area often busy with muggles traffic, it might draw more attention to the caches). Instead she labored on and on about how geocachers are meant to get out and see new places and a second cache only a few hundred feet from the first one is not a new place.
I think it's wonderful to get out and see new places, but excuse me--would she mind stepping down out of the pulpit? I do not subscribe to one Truth, capital "T," about what a pastime such as geocaching is supposed to be. I believe it means different things to different people and folks enjoy it for different reasons. Where's the need to impose your enjoyment on others? Clearly some are into the numbers game and want to run theirs up. Others are into the challenge of a particular find. Personally, I don't care about the numbers or the challenge either one, but I would not dream of imposing a rule upon someone else that says "Hey you, it's not about the numbers, it's about the esoteric joy of exploring new places."
The preaching I witnessed at the event really turned me off. I don't want to have any part of anything with organizers who try to dictate to me what it is about or what it means. I define the meaning of experience in my life for myself.
