Geocaching events?

[+weavers5]

We've just gotten started with geocaching. We purchased an Garmin Oregon, and we are looking forward to sepending a lot of time together with the kids outside looking for caches (instead of video games & tv).

 

I've been searching the forums and can't seem to find information on what 'Geocaching events' are.

 

My questions would be:

What are they?

What do you do?

What do they cost?

How do they work?

 

Does anyone have any pictures of events they've attended?

What do you enjoy about them?

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Weavers5

Edited February 26, 2010 by weavers5

[GOF and Bacall]

An event is a get together for geocachers. Anything from a few people having a couple of drinks to thousands of people at a more organized gathering.

[+weavers5]

I'm just wondering if I were to plan to travel a distance to get to one of these events with the whole family (including the kids), I need to be sure that they will have something to do. Are there geocaching challenges? Prizes? Activities? What are your experiences?

[+Team Noodles]

click on mostly anyone posting here thats been around for a bit (not me ), check their caches found, check the events attended.

 

reading the listings and the logs will give you some idea of whats going on

[+Snoogans]

I'm just wondering if I were to plan to travel a distance to get to one of these events with the whole family (including the kids), I need to be sure that they will have something to do. Are there geocaching challenges? Prizes? Activities? What are your experiences?

 

At the larger events there's usually organized activities for the little cachers.

[+StarBrand]

An event in its simplest form is a gathering of cachers to talk about Geocaching. Frequently food is involved.

 

I must warn you that fun can be had as well.

[+The Blorenges]

Have a look on this page to find the World-wide Events Calendar: Events Calendar.

 

By looking through the dates you'll be able to see what's planned in your country/state. By clicking on the links you'll be able to bring up the Event cache page with the description of what has been planned and see if it interests you.

 

e.g. The HIDES of March (Ontario)

 

MrsB

Edited February 26, 2010 by The Blorenges

[+wimseyguy]

Events range from outings in the park with planned activities, to a regular beer and wings night at a local restaurant, to a 15 minutes meet and greet for donuts in the parking lot before a planned hike or bike ride to the mega events with over 500 in attendance. You will get to meet other local cachers, some are new like yourselves, and some have been doing this for years with find counts in the thousands. The one common denominator is that we all love caching and getting together to talk about it.

 

Here's a link to a recent meet for dinner event in your area (assuming you live near your finds) Looks like that is a monthly one.

 

In May there is a Pot Luck gathering in a conservation area.

 

This year's Geowoodstock is in the Seattle area in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of geocaching. Some 5000 attended last years event in the Nashville area. Since the number of attendees at that Mega event has grown substantially every year, who know how many will show up this year?

[+geodarts]

An event in its simplest form is a gathering of cachers to talk about Geocaching. Frequently food is involved.

I must warn you that fun can be had as well.

 

Particularly if Lutefisk is served (which is really a comment about a post on another thread). The only asterisk would be that my non-caching spouse has sometimes disagreed about the fun, but what does she know?

[+briansnat]

I'm just wondering if I were to plan to travel a distance to get to one of these events with the whole family (including the kids), I need to be sure that they will have something to do. Are there geocaching challenges? Prizes? Activities? What are your experiences?

 

All depends in the event. Some events are nothing more than a few dozen cachers meeting at a pub for burgers and beers, and some are elaborate events with all kinds of games, including many kid friendly activities. Reading the event page will give you a good idea about the scope of the event and what kinds of activities are involved.

[+narcissa]

The event page will tell you what's going on at the event, and you can always ask the person organizing it to give you more details.

 

Geocaching events are *usually* very family-friendly.

[+Snoogans]

Geocaching events are *usually* very family-friendly.

 

At least while the sun is up and the kiddos haven't yet taken to their sleeping bags.

[knowschad]

An event in its simplest form is a gathering of cachers to talk about Geocaching. Frequently food is involved.

I must warn you that fun can be had as well.

 

Particularly if Lutefisk is served (which is really a comment about a post on another thread). The only asterisk would be that my non-caching spouse has sometimes disagreed about the fun, but what does she know?

 

Eelpout are very popular in MN at this time of the year, too.

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

Fun.

[+The VanDucks]

We highly encourage new cachers to attend a local event. Because our sport is usually done with just a fellow cacher, or perhaps by yourself, you will not often encounter other cachers unless you try going to an event.

 

Our local geocaching club, NoVAGO (Northern Virginia Geocaching Organization) has quite a few events each year. We've been to some and really enjoyed ourselves! Typically, there is a spring and fall potluck lunch, usually in a local park, with new caches set up to find before or after lunch, and there are usually games and prizes. Last summer we had a silent auction. to raise money for future events. Also, during the year, individual cachers may set up smaller events, such as getting together for supper in a local restaurant. When these are set up on the geocaching website, attending one can give you a new smilie! Our club does not charge for membership, and does not charge to attend an event (although for those events meeting in a restaurant, each family would pay for their own meal).

 

Getting involved, even if only occasionally, will give you a way to connect with others who share your love for this activity. It's a lot of fun to actually see a cacher whose name you may have seen on many logbooks; and it's fun to talk with other more experienced cachers who can give you advice and suggest good caches in your locality.

 

We hope you will try one of your local events and have fun!

Edited February 26, 2010 by The VanDucks