Geocache event. Need ideas

[Guest TresOkies]

At the November meeting of the OKC Geocachers, I volunteered to organize a geocaching event. I'm looking for ideas at this point. Formats, rules, etc. I've looked at the Foxhall Cup and I'm looking into orienteering events for ideas as well.

 

It can be done as a small, casual one-day affair for us locals or as something larger, perhaps spanning a weekend. I'm trying to talk my neighbor into having his bank sponsor the event. If that happens, it will have cash prizes and probably span two days.

 

I have a pledge from a friend to let us use his farm for the event. It has several hundred acres, including a canyon with a stream.

 

Would folks travel to Western Oklahoma for the event if it was organized well (i.e. 1st place prize is $1000 with 2nd and 3rd place cash prizes and merchandise goodies)?

 

-E

 

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[Guest Gliderpilot]

I posted a thought for a caching based game it the Genreal Forum:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001619.html

 

For more than 2 teams a round robin system could be set up ending in a final "cache-off".

[Guest Gliderpilot]

[Guest TresOkies]

quote:

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Originally posted by Gliderpilot:

Ooops...I just realized that you have already seen that thread.

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That's fine. I put this under "Organized Geocaching" to actually be on-topic (for once). I want to have a discussion about possible types of games and such before we decide on the format for the game.

 

Any ideas are welcome, just throw them out.

 

-E

 

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[Guest hipsterdoofus]

Hey TresOkies

 

I know myself and friends would definately be willing to come out west even if no reward possibly. I am in OKC and have been out west once with friends and enjoyed it. As far as planning I don't have any specific ideas yet but personally I think a single day even would draw a lot more people.

 

Hipsterdo0fus

[Guest treemoss2]

You could run an event just like an orienteering event.

Essentially - have an area, meet there. Handout sheets to all teams with coordinates, say "go". first team back wins. In most regular O-meets, starts are staggered so as not to have everyone rushing to the same spots at once. The checkpoints (CPs) are to be acquired in sequence.

At ROGAINES, which are longer 6-24 hour O-meets with a much larger area and more CPs then there is no sequence, there is only getting as many CPs within the alloted time as you can. CPs then have point values with the most distant and hardest with greater value.

When you hand out the coordinate sheets, that is the start time. Any time spent plotting is time on the clock.

The beauty of using a GPS for this is that you do not ned detailed maps of an area like for an O-meet. You can have it at the local state park with either no map, or just the basic maps available at the park.

I am planning on doing this soon here in the Denver area. If anyone is interested, e-mail me and I'll put you in the folder to be notified when the time comes.

[Guest zookeeper]

If you set a time limit (ex. 1 month or 72 hrs) then everyone who want to enter emails you at the start and the finish (you email logs time and date) you can keep track of each persons start and finish times. This way cachers can complete it on their own available time. Then have a get together to award the prizes to the fastest times.

 

Notes:

- this way you can attract more people to a single day event(the picnic) while getting a lot more people involved in the actual hunt.

- each cach will have to have a special number in it to record and email when complete.

- you could even require everyone to email you for the first site so only the people interested in playing get the numbers (this would eliminate the people just looking for a single find for a day.

- On the day of awarding, more time willbe spent making friends.

[Guest jeeperray]

Some years back, while in the AF, we had a "Road Rally" where we had to drive around OKC and collect items and information. I was thinking something along those lines with tags or checkpoints. Hop in your vehicle and drive through the city looking for the items needed to complete your quest. Only give coordinates and clues instead of addresses. A staggered start would be good if it's required to do it in order.

 

Ray

[Guest TresOkies]

My friend at the bank informs me that the bank president is definitely interested in sponsoring the event. That's a good sign for this being more than a casual gathering.

 

I would like to structure the event so that all aspects can be accomplished in one or two days, rather than over a longer period of time. If it were a casual affair, I wouldn't mind something like that. Perhaps we have a one-day event and a two-day event. After the first day, if you want to "cache out", you can.

 

-E

 

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[Guest Markwell]

award for most finds (which means that you also found them fast). If these scores could be weighted for difficulty - even better.

 

Problems with implementation:

• Do you have the people come back to the central location to get their next coords, or do you give them their next set of coords over the phone? I would lean towards coming back to a home base, because the location ?Cacher A? just found could be northwest of home base and the next set of coords could be southeast. ?Cacher B? could be northwest of home base and directed to a set of coords that is also northwest. That would give ?Cacher B? an unfair advantage. But coming back to home base also means time that people are not hunting.
• You would need a large enough area to hide a whole bunch of caches around that central location.
• Of course, you would have to hide all of these little caches yourself unless you have a team. Problem is - the more people on the hiding team, the less people there are seeking.
• Not everyone has cell phones.
• The person implementing this event gets to spend very little time mingling with the other cachers, and is stuck behind a laptop the whole time keeping track of who scored what when.

 

One final note: This kind of event seems geared only toward those single people or the occasional couples who are really into Geocaching without the hindrance of kids. While I would personally enjoy it, I couldn't compete with my 6yo in tow (he'd just slow me down and whine ). Part of the reason I got into caching was to spend time with the kids.

 

Just some thoughts.

 

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Markwell

My Geocache Page

Non omnes vagi perditi sunt

[Guest JAMCC47]

Here is an idea for you, I'm also trying to do one in CO this summer. What we are planning on doing is making up maps using a standard mapping program. Put UTM grids on the map at 500 meter intervals. Then putting waypoints on the map. The trick is there is no numbers given. One has to plot the waypoints using a UTM roamer. Maybe one or two of the points would not be on the map you would have to find the previous one in order to get the numbers for the next one. You could make it difficult or easy depeding on your terrain.

 

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JoseCanUSea

[Guest TresOkies]

quote:

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Originally posted by JAMCC47:

One has to plot the waypoints using a UTM roamer.

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UTM roamer? I'm not sure I understand the scenario.

 

Where and when will you hold your event? I make ski trips in February, but my better half has been on me to go back when there's no snow. We lived in Lakewood for years and we haven't been back since during the summer. Seems like a good excuse...

 

-E

 

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[Guest TresOkies]

quote:

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Originally posted by Markwell:

Not exactly sure how to implement this string of thought. Maybe someone else could "flesh it out."

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This is great stuff, exactly what I wanted.

 

quote:

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First, I would strongly suggest time to mingle first - that's why you're having an event. Then be sure to have someone acknowledge the sponsor and lay down the guidelines for all to hear.

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I was thinking that the event would have an introductory session for curious locals and newcomers prior to the event. Maybe even have a few GPS units for rent for latecomers who want to give it a try.

 

Then, have a mandatory session where the rules are explained. Then some mingling, then the contest would begin (say at noon).

 

quote:

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For the actual hunting, my perfect participation would be that I would get a set of coordinates, set off to find it, and then phone in the time that I found it with the "code" that was at the location. Then repeat this process until a certain time of day (and it could continue the next morning and on into the next afternoon). It would also be great (although not too easy) to weight the caches based on how difficult they are to find (to be determined by the hider).

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That's similar to what they did at Foxhall and I was thinking it might be a good format. The weighting is a good idea. We would probably need a committee to figure out the levels.

 

quote:

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Problems with implementation:

Do you have the people come back to the central location to get their next coords, or do you give them their next set of coords over the phone? I would lean towards coming back to a home base, because ....

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Phone in coordinates is an interesting idea, but do we really want to have a cell phone as a required piece of equipment? I think there are a lot of positive aspects to returning to the central base, so long as it's not an impediment.

 

quote:

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You would need a large enough area to hide a whole bunch of caches around that central location.

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Several hundred acres of grass land, wheat fields, and canyons.

 

quote:

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Of course, you would have to hide all of these little caches yourself unless you have a team. Problem is - the more people on the hiding team, the less people there are seeking.

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I think I can get 5-6 people to help stash caches.

 

quote:

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The person implementing this event gets to spend very little time mingling with the other cachers, and is stuck behind a laptop the whole time keeping track of who scored what when.

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Yup, but someone has to do it.

 

quote:

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One final note: This kind of event seems geared only toward those single people or the occasional couples who are really into Geocaching without the hindrance of kids. Part of the reason I got into caching was to spend time with the kids.

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Have you ever seen what they do with little ones at a ski resort? We'll have the "bunny slope" geocache area for the little ones, manned by tolerant teenage girls! I have a 4 year old and what Markwell said rings true for me too.

 

Thanks for the ideas!

 

-E

 

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[Guest navdog]

Maybe there is a way to loan FRS radios to cachers that dont have phones. You could have a list of codes at each cache with different numbers, and each cacher would have to use one code number, call it in, and cross it off the list. That way the eavesdropping and copying problem would be eliminated.

 

And it might be fun to be out on the hunt and keep track of other cachers calling in their progress.

 

[This message has been edited by navdog (edited 04 January 2002).]

[Guest Markwell]

quote:

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Originally posted by TresOkies:

This is great stuff, exactly what I wanted.

Thanks for the ideas!

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Now the last problem with implementation: Getting me down there for all the fun!

 

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Markwell

My Geocache Page

Non omnes vagi perditi sunt

[Guest TresOkies]

quote:

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Originally posted by Markwell:

Now the last problem with implementation: Getting me down there for all the fun!

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http://maps.yahoo.com

http://www.orbitz.com

http://www.amtrak.com

http://www.hitchhikers.org

 

Wesley was supposed to work on the transporter, but he's been slacking off lately.

 

I'm try to get the guy who runs the Holiday Inn Express to cut a room rate deal. It just opened in November and it's as nice a hotel as you're likely to find for 75 miles.

 

-E

 

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[This message has been edited by TresOkies (edited 05 January 2002).]

[Guest P38manCdn]

How about........ GPS Road Rally.

Its not the speed... Its can you find the Check Points? Make it a loop rally so you start and end at the same point. Six or eight check points should be enough. I'm working on one for the spring here in Ontario, Canada.

[Guest madphatboy2]

quote:

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Originally posted by P38manCdn:

How about........ GPS Road Rally.

Its not the speed... Its can you find the Check Points? Make it a loop rally so you start and end at the same point. Six or eight check points should be enough. I'm working on one for the spring here in Ontario, Canada.

---

 

That's a pretty good idea. I like that. I might have to try that in this area.

[Guest Choberiba]

Sheesh, talk about missing out on a thread.

 

ObCatchUp:

I too have a four year old I'd like to include at cache meets.

Not all cell phones get coverage in all locations.

I'm pro-mingle and think that anything competitive should enhance this aspect of the gathering.

I'm still waiting for UTM roamer to be explained, don't *make* me break out google

Those tolerant teenage girls should be compensated for their time (at least a few bucks per kid)

 

I'm also wondering about just how close to parking these things all need to be.

 

This might exclude the younger cachers, but since we can quite literally pick any spot on the planet, it might be amusing to have a mile or more hike to the cachemeet site.

[Guest JAMCC47]

Tresoakies:

A UTM ROAMER is a metric scale where you can measure the eastings and northings on a UTM scale. Topo maps come in 1000 mtr. blocks

all you have to do is measure east then north and you can tell where you are on the map. REI sells them for about $5. We are planning on doing the GEOTEERING thing at JACKS GULCH a USFS campground, west of Ft. Collins. EMAIL me and I can send you back a map. SYRKID1947@aol.com Good Cacheing to you.

 

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JoseCanUSea

[Guest TresOkies]

kmail scheme.

 

quote:

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I'm also wondering about just how close to parking these things all need to be.

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The particular field has is *sort of* paved within 1 mile and a dirt road for a mile to the field. If you want to pack in, feel free.

 

quote:

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This might exclude the younger cachers, but since we can quite literally pick any spot on the planet, it might be amusing to have a mile or more hike to the cachemeet site.

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You will have literally hundreds of acres to roam to get to the caches. Here's the location that I have permission to use:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=14&n=3929969&e=535207&s=25

 

-E

 

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[Guest okdoke]

This may be more casual and smaller scale than you are considering but I've been thinking about a Hide & Seek event. This would be an informal event where a few groups would meet, each prepared to hide a cache. When they meet, they would be directed to a previously undisclosed park/area where each group would hide their cache. When the groups reconvene (after lunch?), they swap coordinates and search for each of the other caches. This would be raw geocaching - no detail page, no maps, no hints.

 

After the event, the caches would be left in place. Each group would enter their cache on the Geocaching website, as well as their finds. The objective (besides a good time) would be to establish a geocaching area/park where folks could do some "cluster geocaching".

 

Other advantages to this type of event include:

• Cheap and easy to organize
• Advances / supports the sport
• Many opportunities for camaraderie
• Child-friendly

 

I see this as more of a social event than a competition. However, it could be made competitive by timing the search segment or scoring it using some of the ideas from previous posts.

[Guest TresOkies]

Mike,

 

Thanks for the suggestion. In light of recent changes in my life, this is more suited to the amount of time I can spend.

 

Those of you who replied and emailed suggestions to me, I thank you for your assistance. Even though the scope this event is being scaled back, everyone is welcome to join us.

 

-E

 

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[Guest reastick]

quote:

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Originally posted by P38manCdn:

How about........ GPS Road Rally.

Its not the speed... Its can you find the Check Points? Make it a loop rally so you start and end at the same point. Six or eight check points should be enough. I'm working on one for the spring here in Ontario, Canada.

---

 

Or don't make the check points sequential. Just give out all six at the start line. The winner would be the one that routes through the points in the optimal order. Each checkpoint has a portion of the final coordinate of the finish line.

 

Just a thought.

[Guest Betty]

R>(f) Toss them back in the hat and do it again for person #2's leg order.

(g) Toss them back in the hat over and over and do it for all 30 (or more or less) orders.

(h) Now you have a sheet with all 12 coords for all 30 different leg orders.

(i) Using this sheet, now make up the 12 different sheets that are to be hidden/displayed at the 12 leg positions.

(j) Make 30 rows, one for each person#/leg-order#.

(k) After each row number, put the cords & description for the next leg for that leg-order number.

(l) For the 1st such sheet, the one that is at the START line, these coords will represent leg 1 for each of the 30 people.

(m) For the 2nd such sheet, the one placed at leg 1, the coords represent leg 2 for each of the 30 people.

(n) Leg 30 is the same for all; it?s back at the starting point. These starting-point coords ought to appear on every leg sheet, to assure that nobody gets lost. Require extra batteries.

 

So that's about all there is to it. What do you think? Want to try it at some geocaching "event"?

[Guest Betty]

pendent of where the Positions are chosen to be hidden. That?s not much copying for the contestant to do by hand.

 

So, what do you think about all this. Sounds like it ought to make an activity for an event. Again, I don?t know offhand how you might make a competition out of it. I suppose you could readily enough, but I don?t think you need to make it competitive.

[Guest doc_ott]

quote:

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Originally posted by Don&Betty:

Here's an idea instead that emphasizes the GPS activity, and de-emphasizes athletism and eliminates the looking for a needle in a haystack activity....

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D&B, Let me know when you want help setting up the course here in the Jackson area. I would love to help, and have a few ideas for locations.

[Guest Betty]

quote:

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Originally posted by doc_ott:

Let me know when you want help setting up the course here in the Jackson area.

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Sorry to be so long in responding to your offer. I wasn't watching this string and just happened to look back at it now.

 

I have no immediate aspiration to set up such an "event". I was merely blurting out some ideas others might use. There are not enough cachers in Jackson anyway, perhaps Ann Arbor or Lansing. Or, yes, such an event in Jackson would be good to get some of those people coming here to our caches. If we did do such a thing, it should be set up to remain in place, for others to do at any time, not just during the event.

 

I would like to meet with you, to discuss this and other geocaching ideas etc. as well.

 

Thanks for your offer.