+Fier 0 Posted March 28, 2020 During the crazy time of COVID-19, in the communities I have seen a lot of discussions regarding the desire to have an online cache event type. The attendance log-book would have to be electronic, and there would have to be some special rules regarding the location of attendees. The cache type would also have to be something other than a typical event. Is this something worth pursuing or would it remove the 'geo'-location from geocaching? Quote Share this post Link to post
+Panters 7 Posted March 28, 2020 I don't mind allowing this during our lockdown, but not as a general event type to continue after the lockdown. I see geocaching as going outdoors and enjoying nature, not sitting behind a PC and collecting smilies by joining Skype events... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post
+hal-an-tow 420 Posted March 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Fier said: During the crazy time of COVID-19, in the communities I have seen a lot of discussions regarding the desire to have an online cache event type. The attendance log-book would have to be electronic, and there would have to be some special rules regarding the location of attendees. The cache type would also have to be something other than a typical event. Is this something worth pursuing or would it remove the 'geo'-location from geocaching? First, there is no requirement for a log book at event caches. Second, this appears to be nothing more than the desire to get +1 smiley . If you see a lot of discussions in those 'virtual communities', you are participating on those platforms already. Calling such a 'meeting' a geocaching event changes it in no way (other than that that +1 smiley of course) 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post
+Lynx Humble 437 Posted March 28, 2020 5 hours ago, Fier said: During the crazy time of COVID-19, in the communities I have seen a lot of discussions regarding the desire to have an online cache event type. The attendance log-book would have to be electronic, and there would have to be some special rules regarding the location of attendees. The cache type would also have to be something other than a typical event. Is this something worth pursuing or would it remove the 'geo'-location from geocaching? You are not the first one to propose that but for the moment Groundspeak banned those kind of initiative. Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted March 28, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, Fier said: The attendance log-book What attendance log book? Do events ever require you to sign a logbook? Edit: oops, I didn't see that hal-an-tow already addressed that. Edited March 28, 2020 by Max and 99 Quote Share this post Link to post
+Touchstone 1024 Posted March 28, 2020 It would be nice if HQ facilitated such online gatherings in partnership with some video conferencing website or something similar, but I think it should be distinct and separate from the existing formats currently available, and not count towards the User statistics that are location based. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post
+ChrisDen 33 Posted March 28, 2020 (edited) We joke about attending Skype events in our local WhatsApp group but definitely against the rules. I you need caching talk just organise a group chat. I am sure people are not that desparate for a log. Edited March 28, 2020 by ChrisDen Quote Share this post Link to post
+K13 1041 Posted April 13, 2020 Just, NO. In this hobby(game), you must visit a location in person to add one to your stats. If you want to chat with others online, do that - but don't call it a Geocaching Event and don't expect a +1 on your find count. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 13, 2020 In case you missed it: Regular Events and CITOs In some regions, community volunteer reviewers may suspend publishing Events and/or may disable, retract, or archive already published Events, in accordance with guidance from health authorities. We advise hosts to consult their regional health authorities to understand the guidance regarding gatherings of people. Generally, Geocaching HQ leaves the decision to Event hosts on whether to continue hosting the Event and to attendees on whether they will participate. We understand it can be very disappointing to miss the connections that are made at Events. But please remember that geocaching is a location-based game, and locationless Events or virtual logging of Events are not permitted by the Geocaching guidelines. HQ appreciates that the community is so strong that players want to keep in touch virtually and we encourage doing so using other online platforms 2 Quote Share this post Link to post
+rca85 0 Posted April 14, 2020 Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 14, 2020 11 minutes ago, rca85 said: Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 Do you realize that your profile is public? We can see your geocaching activity! Quote Share this post Link to post
+rca85 0 Posted April 14, 2020 30 minutes ago, Max and 99 said: Do you realize that your profile is public? We can see your geocaching activity! sorry I missed something? is there any issue with my geocaching activity? please describe I did not understand what it's wrong? Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 14, 2020 I don't understand why you are worried about getting the souvenir. You are still going out geocaching. I have no doubt that Groundspeak will consider the pandemic when it comes to earning the souvenir. They have twice changed the date for the Memory souvenir. Quote Share this post Link to post
+barefootjeff 3843 Posted April 14, 2020 46 minutes ago, rca85 said: Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 Unless there's an unexpected relaxation of restrictions here in the next couple of weeks, I won't be finding any caches or attending any events on the 2nd of May so I won't get whatever souvenir is on offer. That's life at the moment, and if the worst thing that happens to me this year is I miss out on a few caching souvenirs I'll be eternally grateful. There'll be another Blue Switch day next year and the year after that. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 14, 2020 1 minute ago, barefootjeff said: Unless there's an unexpected relaxation of restrictions here in the next couple of weeks, I won't be finding any caches or attending any events on the 2nd of May so I won't get whatever souvenir is on offer. That's life at the moment, and if the worst thing that happens to me this year is I miss out on a few caching souvenirs I'll be eternally grateful. There'll be another Blue Switch day next year and the year after that. Yep! Quote Share this post Link to post
+rca85 0 Posted April 14, 2020 Sorry to lose sense of priorities and reminding me nicely. Take care. Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 14, 2020 1 hour ago, rca85 said: Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 I am surprised that they haven't made an announcement! The fact that they haven't makes me wonder if the souvenir is continuing as planned. They've already stated that virtual events are not permitted. So in my opinion, as of now, I see two options: find a cache if your local laws allow it, or you don't earn the souvenir. Many of us will not be earning it. I haven't yet decided for myself. But regarding the topic of this thread: virtual events, Groundspeak has already said No. Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 14, 2020 1 hour ago, rca85 said: Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 Maybe they will see your post and make an announcement! Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 14, 2020 (edited) 14 hours ago, rca85 said: Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 I was hoping that Groundspeak would talk about the Blue Switch Day souvenir in today's newsletter. But no newsletter! Edit: I just got the newsletter, almost 2 hours later than usual. Nothing new regarding the souvenir. Edited April 14, 2020 by Max and 99 Update Quote Share this post Link to post
+Max and 99 2157 Posted April 21, 2020 On 4/13/2020 at 11:54 PM, rca85 said: Hi, I tough how someone could acquire the Blue switch souvenir 2020 it the health authorities do not authorize to go out? I guess a skype event could allow that? The HQ will update the way to acquire this souvenir? let us know... Regards, rca85 An announcement will be made next week. Quote Share this post Link to post