Vacation Event

[+tmwed4]

What is everyone's opinion of having an event cache when you're on vacation? We're headed to Pigeon Forge the last week of May and thought it might be fun to meet some of the local people there one night for supper. Pros/cons etc. are very welcome. Thanks.

[+hydnsek]

Several cachers have set up events when they've come to the Seattle area, so they could meet the locals. And/or, they contact local cachers and we set up a meet-n-greet for them. Lotsa fun - go for it.

[+Manville Possum]

Yes, why not host a meet and greet? Problem that I see is that the area is full of tourist. Look at Patriot Park there as a possible meeting place, or contact one of the http://www.gsmgc.org/ mebmers.

[Mr.Yuck]

What is everyone's opinion of having an event cache when you're on vacation? We're headed to Pigeon Forge the last week of May and thought it might be fun to meet some of the local people there one night for supper. Pros/cons etc. are very welcome. Thanks.

 

Lots of people do this, and there is no problem with it. I will give you my personal opinion. It's kinda weird. I live within 15 miles of Niagara Falls, and a few people have done this over the years. I wasn't interested.

 

I will probably be raked over the coals by the chorus, but there are people out there who think it's "kinda weird". I'm just sayin'.

 

EDIT: It's less "kinda weird", if it's an exotic location, with a small, or even non-existent Geocaching community. If you're going someplace with a large, well-established longstanding Geocaching community, then I'll go ahead and speak for the silent majority that many of the locals think it's "kinda weird".

Edited April 2, 2012 by Mr.Yuck

[+tmwed4]

No Mr. Yuck, I was kinda feeling weird hosting an event where we would not know a soul until the event starts. I do think the suggestion of contacting a couple of the local cachers is a good idea. I know that where we live this would be very welcome but we don't have a lot of tourist attention either. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

[Mr.Yuck]

No Mr. Yuck, I was kinda feeling weird hosting an event where we would not know a soul until the event starts. I do think the suggestion of contacting a couple of the local cachers is a good idea. I know that where we live this would be very welcome but we don't have a lot of tourist attention either. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

 

See, I knew you'd be offended. I'm just honestly telling you from the perspective of someone from an area with a large well established Geocaching community where it's happened twice, (maybe a third time?) Many in that large well-established community will be whispering amongst themselves "who is this guy"? "Why's he posting a cache in our area"? It's almost as if your infringing on their turf. NOT EVERYONE mind you, but I've heard these whispers, of people who are not interested in attending such an event.

 

But I'm just letting you know that. Go for it!! It happens all the time. I hope you'll get some good input from some people who have done this. I'm helping you out by bumping the thread here.

 

Oh, and great idea contacting a few locals. That would definitely reduce or even take away the "who is this guy" tension!

Edited April 2, 2012 by Mr.Yuck

[+bflentje]

I've done it several times but it should stand that you should at least know your venue, at least to some extent.

[+SwineFlew]

Vegas is a hot bed for Vacation Events.

[+BBWolf+3Pigs]

We held one when we visited theMidwest.

 

We contacted a local cacher for some locale ideas, but that's about it. We had over 30 people show up. It was quite a blast. Highly recommend it.

[+BBWolf+3Pigs]

Oh, and great idea contacting a few locals. That would definitely reduce or even take away the "who is this guy" tension!

 

Hey, if no one shows up,that's their loss. It would just show how unsocial the locals are. But either way, you still get the smiley!

[+SwineFlew]

Oh, and great idea contacting a few locals. That would definitely reduce or even take away the "who is this guy" tension!

 

Hey, if no one shows up,that's their loss. It would just show how unsocial the locals are. But either way, you still get the smiley!

I thought of setting up one in SC the next time I am down there but I know one cacher that will show up! She went to college with my brother inlaw. Yes, its a very small world out there!

[+Ike 13]

I thought of setting up one in SC the next time I am down there but I know one cacher that will show up! She went to college with my brother inlaw. Yes, its a very small world out there!

 

Where in SC? I don't mind traveling to a fun meeting (unless I already have other plans)

[+DragonsWest]

Right about now I'm wondering if there are any caches along the New or Gauley Rivers in West Virginia. That would be a place for an event .. get some cachers together to go down the rivers together. Hmmmm.

[+SwineFlew]

I thought of setting up one in SC the next time I am down there but I know one cacher that will show up! She went to college with my brother inlaw. Yes, its a very small world out there!

 

Where in SC? I don't mind traveling to a fun meeting (unless I already have other plans)

Upstate (Greenville area) I used to live there for 4 years in the early 00's. Still got family there.

[+Harry Dolphin]

Just saw one listed for a breakfast event at a diner from 7-8:30 AM, on a Wednesday. CO visits a lot from the other coast. (And hopefully, will find some of my caches this time!) As long as the cache is open to anyone, and the venue permits it, go for it! I'll guess maybe three people will attend...

[+jellis]

We have cachers from out of the area/state/country that do it. I would suggest contact a local cacher, maybe one that has put on events before for suggestions where to host one. They could also help setting it up for you.

[+jeffbouldin]

I've done it a couple of times when I was in Memphis for work. Got to know some great cachers down there. I was in Atlanta for a training class and attended one posted by someone from Maryland who was visiting. Got to meet a few cachers from the North Atlanta area. I'd say go for it.

 

What I want to know is why you would put up with Pigeon Forge when you've got the most beautiful place in Tennessee in your back yard. Head up to Fall Creek Falls.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

The five I have hosted away from home, from a small BBQ at a lake 70 miles from home attended by about 30 to a 3-day weekend event 200 miles from home on the Gulf coast attended by several hundred have all been great hits and I've had a ball hosting them. The attendees seemed to like them too.

 

Go for it!

[+ChileHead]

I will give you my personal opinion. It's kinda weird.

 

I agree with you, Urkel. I've never been to one, but have seen a couple around. I always read them as "Hey I'm going to be in your area, come here and meet me!"

[+Snoogans]

What is everyone's opinion of having an event cache when you're on vacation? We're headed to Pigeon Forge the last week of May and thought it might be fun to meet some of the local people there one night for supper. Pros/cons etc. are very welcome. Thanks.

 

I've hosted many a vacation event.

 

I'd like to echo that you need to know your venue or enlist a local to help you.

 

I'm about to post a vacation event for Washington D.C., a flash mob of sorts, right on Thomas Circle (Using the coords for Doubting Thomas) since I'll be at the Washington Plaza right across the street.

 

It's fun to sample the local cachin' continuum when I'm out and about. If there isn't a local event listed, I just host one.

[+hzoi]

Bottom line, event caches where you don't already know most of the folks there are going to feel a little awkward at first. But you already know you have at least one thing in common with everyone there, so that makes it a little easier to break the ice.

 

I've attended a number of events outside of my local areas (I've moved twice since we started caching). The second place we lived, Charlottesville, VA, there hadn't been an event in a while, so we hosted an event without knowing anyone local first. And even for the events I attended in our local areas, the first event we attended in each area, we maybe knew two people prior to the events. We got by.

 

All in all I'd say the first two events I attended were the most awkward. But we were living in Germany, didn't speak much German, and they were in two different places, so both times we showed up as the only Americans, knowing no one there. (Second time the wife didn't want to come, so I had to go alone.) I still managed to have a good time, and the cachers I met there became great friends.

[+Snoogans]

Bottom line, event caches where you don't already know most of the folks there are going to feel a little awkward at first. But you already know you have at least one thing in common with everyone there, so that makes it a little easier to break the ice.

 

I've attended a number of events outside of my local areas (I've moved twice since we started caching). The second place we lived, Charlottesville, VA, there hadn't been an event in a while, so we hosted an event without knowing anyone local first. And even for the events I attended in our local areas, the first event we attended in each area, we maybe knew two people prior to the events. We got by.

 

All in all I'd say the first two events I attended were the most awkward. But we were living in Germany, didn't speak much German, and they were in two different places, so both times we showed up as the only Americans, knowing no one there. (Second time the wife didn't want to come, so I had to go alone.) I still managed to have a good time, and the cachers I met there became great friends.

 

Funny. I'm MORE at home outside my state than I am in it when it comes to events.

 

I think it's because I was around at the beginning of our statewide group in Texas and sooooo many faces have changed. I can hardly keep up with the changes. I used to meet and get to know everyone at an event. Now I just gravitate to the 2 or 3 faces I recognize best. It's a rare occasion when I know 30% of the folks at a small local event. Very rare. I may have seen many of them a few times, and it's embarassing for me that their names don't stick in my head anymore.

 

Get me outta my state and I seem to have a better time at events.

[+hzoi]

Get me outta my state and I seem to have a better time at events.

 

Well, we've got 5 events coming up the weekend of 13-14 April in Eufala, Alabama, so come on over!

[+Snoogans]

Get me outta my state and I seem to have a better time at events.

 

Well, we've got 5 events coming up the weekend of 13-14 April in Eufala, Alabama, so come on over!

 

Not likely at nearly $4 a gallon. I may even give GeoWoodstock another pass this year.

[+tmwed4]

jeffbouldin: We've found all of the caches there except for Caverat's Piney Falls one. We've considered having an event up there or at Rock Island. You need to make the trip down 24 for one of our upcoming caches after you teach your event!!

Edited April 3, 2012 by tmwed4

[+moose61]

During a recent weekend trip with another geocacher to Prague I hosted a small event to swap TB's and coins. Im general most the boxes in cities are to small to leave any TB's and this way we were able to leave some in the Czech republic and the Czech geocachers used it to let coins/TB's they had to leave the region. Also nice to meet some local geocachers, exchange idea's and make contacts for future trips.

[+DragonsWest]

Get me outta my state and I seem to have a better time at events.

 

Well, we've got 5 events coming up the weekend of 13-14 April in Eufala, Alabama, so come on over!

 

Not likely at nearly $4 a gallon. I may even give GeoWoodstock another pass this year.

 

You mean you can't find anyone to carpool with? I'm hoping I can pool with someone to the Block Party. At least 700 miles driving.

[+Snoogans]

Get me outta my state and I seem to have a better time at events.

 

Well, we've got 5 events coming up the weekend of 13-14 April in Eufala, Alabama, so come on over!

 

Not likely at nearly $4 a gallon. I may even give GeoWoodstock another pass this year.

 

You mean you can't find anyone to carpool with? I'm hoping I can pool with someone to the Block Party. At least 700 miles driving.

Did it once and it worked out great, but I hate being tied to someone else's schedule.

[knowschad]

No Mr. Yuck, I was kinda feeling weird hosting an event where we would not know a soul until the event starts. I do think the suggestion of contacting a couple of the local cachers is a good idea. I know that where we live this would be very welcome but we don't have a lot of tourist attention either. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

I have a couple of thoughts to share:

 

I took part is such an event several years back. I and several other local cachers were contacted by a geocacher in a distant state that was coming here for business and said that he wanted to put on an event while he was here, and was asking us to help him hide some temp caches around the area. Those of us that were contacted out of the blue were initially very skeptical and debated quite a bit amongst ourselves, but in the end, we did participate, and the event was a huge hit. But the cacher that initiated the idea had an uphill climb to get us locals involved.

 

I also know some cachers that travel quite a bit on cruises, who had considered hosting events in foriegn ports where there were no caches to be found, solely for the purpose of "lighting up" that country on their geocaching maps. First, I suspect the reviewers would be skeptical about that sort of event, and even if they weren't, I think most of us would consider the concept a rather tacky way of adding a country to your list.

[+SwineFlew]

 

I also know some cachers that travel quite a bit on cruises, who had considered hosting events in foriegn ports where there were no caches to be found, solely for the purpose of "lighting up" that country on their geocaching maps. First, I suspect the reviewers would be skeptical about that sort of event, and even if they weren't, I think most of us would consider the concept a rather tacky way of adding a country to your list.

 

I see nothing wrong with that. Thats better than those vacation caches with no real owners.

[+Manville Possum]

 

I also know some cachers that travel quite a bit on cruises, who had considered hosting events in foriegn ports where there were no caches to be found, solely for the purpose of "lighting up" that country on their geocaching maps. First, I suspect the reviewers would be skeptical about that sort of event, and even if they weren't, I think most of us would consider the concept a rather tacky way of adding a country to your list.

 

I see nothing wrong with that. Thats better than those vacation caches with no real owners.

I have cached in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area, there is no geocache shortage there. I found my first ammo can chained to a building there. I also dropped a trackable there in 2008, which just showed back up in the area in a new listing a month ago. I plan on being in the area next week, hopefully I can grab my own trackable back.

[+jeffbouldin]

jeffbouldin: We've found all of the caches there except for Caverat's Piney Falls one. We've considered having an event up there or at Rock Island. You need to make the trip down 24 for one of our upcoming caches after you teach your event!!

 

My spring and summer is booked, but I do need to get back your way someday. I've never explored Rock Island despite living in Woodbury from '78 to 87.

[+tmwed4]

Yeah. We've seen your name around but have never caught up with you. We've got a pretty good thing going down here in Warren County, TN. 200+ caches within 15 miles of downtown of ALL sizes, shapes, and difficulties. Hope to see you around!

[+Snoogans]

 

I also know some cachers that travel quite a bit on cruises, who had considered hosting events in foriegn ports where there were no caches to be found, solely for the purpose of "lighting up" that country on their geocaching maps. First, I suspect the reviewers would be skeptical about that sort of event, and even if they weren't, I think most of us would consider the concept a rather tacky way of adding a country to your list.

 

I see nothing wrong with that. Thats better than those vacation caches with no real owners.

 

I see nothing "tacky" about it either. Wanting to meet cachers in new places is cool IMO. It's the very best way to get the local word of mouth on what's cool and what to avoid on many levels and not just geocaching. But mostly it's neat to meet folks that share your interests in a place far from home. That's why I do it.