Geocaching Events: What and Why
Those brilliant people over at geocaching.com realized that not only do geocachers like to find and hide geocaches, they also like to get together with OTHER cachers and share stories of the hunt.
In order to make it easier for you to meet other geocachers in your area (short of lurking at the most popular caches and popping out of the bushes for a chat) is to attend a geocaching event.
Geocaching.com calls these (drum roll please!)
Event Caches
An event cache is when an individual or a geocaching organization designate a time and location to meet and discuss geocaching. They are gatherings that are open to all geocachers and which are organized by geocachers.
There are three recognized types of event caches:
Event Cache
Anywhere from a handful to a few hundred people. They can be an evening meet-and-greet at a local cafe or an all-weekend camping extravaganza.
My very first event cache was a campout. About 200 cachers from Arizona (and farther) gathered in the deserts south of Phoenix for a weekend of caching. New caches were hidden just for the event, there was a skills contest, a poker run, and a flash mob.
Flash Mob
This was a second “event cache” where all the participants took a huge group photo. In order to get credit for the “find” for the Flash Mob event, you had to sign in. It was a fun way to meet other cachers before we all headed out to search for the elusive First To Find.
Mega Event Caches
Basically these are like an event cache EXCEPT for scale. Mega events have 500+ people attending and are usually HUGE annual events.
Cache In Trash Out Event
While out there on a cache hunt, we collect litter along the trails and properly dispose of it. Cache In Trash Out Events are much larger clean-up events that involve and benefit the larger community. What is Cache In Trash Out? (CITO)
One way to find these gatherings is by browsing through the event calendar: http://www.geocaching.com/calendar/
If you’ve attended an event in the past, contact that event organizer. Often times, they keep a mailing list to let people know of upcoming events in your area.
Tips To Getting The Most Out Of Events
- Like with any cache, be sure to read the event description carefully. You might need to bring swag or geocoins to trade, trash bags to collect garbage (CITO), and food to share.
- If you’re heading to an event that requires travel and lodging (including camping!), make sure you plan in advance. Larger events may lead to a shortage of nearby accommodations if you wait until the last minute.
- If it’s an outdoor event, come dressed for the weather. Don’t forget sunscreen, insect repellent and a water bottle.
- Make sure you have plenty of caching supplies AND gas in the car. When we attended this event, in the desert, we didn’t fill the gas tank up on our way INTO the event. We had to stop caching early the next day to go into town for more gas.
Readers Weigh In:
- How many events have you attended?
- What are your favorite types of events? Event, CITO, or Mega?
- Have you ever hosted an event?
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September 18, 2010 @ 11:13 pm
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September 20, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
Well I have hosted over 20 some different events over the last five years. My favorite event is the CITO as this shows the public that we are not just a bunch of want to be treasure hunters but we give back to those that let us play on their lands. I have had events for redoing an area after a fire had destroid many caches. Donations of cache containers were sent from all over by those that could not attend. This is what true geocaching is all about.
I have assisted many in their first events as many are scared to do events thinking no one will come. We have a common term down this way and it goes like this. POST IT AND THEY WILL COME. I have never had less then 40 cachers show up at one of my events or one that I helped out with.
Remember don’t be scared to post an event as you will be surprized at how many cachers will show up.
Only problem I have had and still do is in posting WILL ATTEND logs. If you don’t post a will attend then the host does not know how to plan the food and drinks for the event. It is great that you show up but if you plan an event for say 40 cachers and sixty show up the food is going to be short. So even if you think you might attend the event then post it and the host can plan better. It’s allways better to have too much food then not enough.
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September 20, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
I agree with you 100% on the food. More is ALWAYS better. And I really like the CITO principals in general since it is a perfect way to take care of the Great Outdoors and give back.
Tell me more about what you do after a fire. I’d like to write about that!
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