Geocaching Events

Are you looking for a fun and interesting way to get out and explore the world around you? Then geocaching might be the perfect activity for you! Geocaching is an outdoor activity that involves using a GPS device to search for hidden containers, or “caches”, around the world. It’s a great way to get out and explore, and it’s becoming increasingly popular. But what about geocaching events?

Geocaching events are a great way to get the geocaching community together to explore and have fun. So, what types of geocaching events are there, and how can you plan and prepare for one?

Types of Geocaching Events

Geocaching events can come in all shapes and sizes, from small meetups to large-scale organized events. The type of geocaching event you plan will depend largely on your goals and the size of your group. Some of the most common types of geocaching events are:

Geocaching Meetups: These events are typically organized by local geocachers or geocaching organizations, and they usually involve a small group of geocachers getting together to talk and share stories and/or search for caches.
MEGA Events: These events are attened by 500 or more geocachers. These events often result in inspired ways to play the game (such as competitions), friendships that last a lifetime, and unlimited amounts of fun.
GIGA Events: These events are attended by 5000 or more geocachers. They are the largest of the Event Cache types and feature excellent social activities for geocachers attending from all over the world.

Planning a Geocaching Event

If you’re interested in organizing a geocaching event, the first step is to decide what type of event you want to organize. Once you’ve determined the type of event, you can start making a plan. Some things to consider when planning a geocaching event include:

Location: Where will the event take place? Will it be in a park, or will you need to rent a venue?
Date and Time: When will the event take place? Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to plan and prepare for the event.
Size: How many people do you expect to attend the event? This will help you determine the size of the venue you’ll need, as well as the number of caches you’ll need to hide.
Activities: Is this a basic meet and greet for geocachers to get together and socialize? Is it an event to get together to help each other solve puzzle caches? Is it a workshop to discuss building gadget caches? Are you getting together to clean up a park (Cash In Trash Out or CITO)? The possibilities are limitless and up to you.

Once you’ve got a plan in place, you can start preparing for the event.

Preparing for a Geocaching Event

Now that you’ve got your plan in place, it’s time to start preparing for the event. Some of the things you’ll need to do include:

Reserve a Venue: If you’re planning a larger event, you’ll need to make sure you have a venue reserved. Make sure to book the venue as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the best price.
Publish the cache page: Like traditional geocaches, event caches have a cache page containing the location, date, time, and event information such as activities, if food or drinks are provided, any parking information, etc. Consider posting the event four to six weeks ahead of time to give time for the cache page to be reviewed and for geocachers to find the vent information.
Monitor logs: As owner of the cache page, you should recieve an email everytime someone writes a log or post a note on the cache page. Many geocachers will log their “will attend” ahead of time giving you an idea of how large the event will be. They can also post notes with questions so be sure to monitor and respond to any questions.
Publish a note to the cache page the day before and the day of: This will send an email to all who logged a “will attend” and is a great reminder of the event. It also allows you to send them any last minute details or changes happening.
Arrive early: Be there ahead of time to set up if necessary and to great attendees as they arrive.
Bring a logbook: Many geocachers who host events will bring a logbook of some kind for attendees to sign.

Once you’ve done all of this, you can start thinking about some geocaching event ideas.

Geocaching Event Ideas

Once you’ve got your plan and preparations in place, it’s time to come up with some ideas for the event itself. Some ideas for geocaching events include:

Scavenger Hunt: Have teams of geocachers competing to find the most caches in a certain area.
Night Caching: Have a night-time event where geocachers search for caches using torches or headlamps.
Geo-Dash: Have teams of geocachers competing to get to various locations using only the GPS.
Geocaching Workshop: Have a workshop where geocachers can learn more about geocaching and how to use GPS devices.

These are just a few ideas for geocaching events. Get creative and come up with your own ideas to make your event unique and fun!

Strategies for Hosting a Successful Geocaching Event

Now that you’ve got some ideas for your event, it’s time to think about how to make sure it’s a success. Here are some strategies for hosting a successful geocaching event:

Make it Fun: Make sure your event is fun and engaging for everyone involved. This could mean setting up interesting challenges, having prizes for the winners, or providing snacks and drinks.
Keep it Organized: Make sure you have a plan for the event and that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. This will help keep the event running smoothly.
Have Clear Rules and Guidelines: Make sure to have clear rules and guidelines for the event, such as no littering or no trespassing. This will help keep everyone safe and ensure that everyone is following the same rules.
Provide Support: Make sure to provide support for geocachers who may need help. This could be in the form of a volunteer or someone who is knowledgeable about geocaching.
Follow Up: Make sure to follow up with attendees after the event to get their feedback and see what worked and what didn’t. This will help you improve your event for the next time.

Conclusion

Geocaching events are a great way to get the geocaching community together to explore and have fun. While planning and preparing for a geocaching event can be daunting, it’s also a rewarding experience. Just remember to plan ahead, make it fun, keep it organized, provide support, and follow up with attendees after the event. With some preparation and planning, you can host a successful geocaching event that everyone will enjoy!

Related Podcast Episodes

S2E8: CITO – Cache In Trash Out
S2E12: Geocaching Mega Events
S2E16: Geocaching Giga Events
S3E10: (Mostly) Live at MOGA
S3E15: World Wide Flash Mob (WWFM) Geocaching Event