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carda1 7 months, 1 week ago.
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Candidates, if there were no barriers such as lack of funds, legal restrictions, time commitments, etc., what big idea would you like to see the WGA implement, acquire, offer, become…?
Wow, is this a fun question to contemplate! No limits!
I dream of a geocaching park, centrally located in the state. In it there would be lots of trails with geocaches. (No micros in pine trees here.) It would be a place where members could place creative containers and gadget caches and know that lots of cachers would have the opportunity to find them. A shady campground would provide a resting spot for tents and campers. There would be a WGA headquarters building with a large meeting room and kitchen. Space for a store and TOTTs that could be borrowed so we don’t have to bring with our 24-foot poles or folding ladders. Next, add a makerspace with lots of tools and supplies to build gadget caches and creative containers. Classes in how to design and build gadget classes, puzzle solving and how to create earthcaches would be offered. Of course, geocaching 101 classes would be available for the public, youth groups and any other organization interested in finding out about geocaching.
On the more serious side, there are some things I dream about that are in the realm of possibility. Jacque Cody, of jacquendoncody, has created a great Geocaching 101 display and has traveled to many locations sharing her love of geocaching. Could this be expanded by a partnership with our State Parks to offer geocaching classes where folks get to try geocaching with an experienced volunteer? (We are currently working with the Friends of Interstate Park to host this type of event this summer for the 125th Anniversary of the park.) I would like to see more puzzle solving classes offered in different areas of the state. I have heard more than one cacher say they don’t do puzzle caches because they are too hard, or they are not good at puzzles. We have attended a couple of puzzle solving classes in Eau Claire and found them very helpful. A class on creating earthcaches is something I would love to attend. How about a gadget cache workshop at a makerspace? Then I wonder what you the WGA members dream about, what would you like to see the WGA try?
There are so many options that this question opens up that it’s hard to pick where to begin! As such, I will just share the first ones that popped into my mind.
I think it would be fun to have more WI Geo-Tours, especially as Wisconsin gets most of its income from the tourism industry. It could be paired with other attractions in Wisconsin towns, such as food or drink establishments. I am from Eau Claire, and I know that a Geo-Tour would fit very nicely with the downtown area.
I also think it could be fun to get a school program going that helped schools develop geocaching clubs at the Middle and High School levels. I was introduced to geocaching by two of my teachers who loved geocaching and started a summer school class, and that was well received! They printed off the geocaching rules, helped us set up our accounts, and then took us out to find some caches nearby the school grounds. I know their teacher friend in the neighboring town also did this, and my husband and I have found some of the caches they hid as a club. In high school our club took many weekend trips together, and those were some of my fondest high school memories.
I think this would have the dual benefit of providing guidance to new cachers regarding cache etiquette, what a cache can look like and how it might be hidden, and also provide opportunities to both find and hide caches. This will help to grow the community and keep bringing in younger generations, who tend to be quite enthusiastic based on my observations.
I absolutely love Mrs. book lovers answer to this question! Having a geocaching “disneyland” would be amazing.
I also would like to make more of a partnership with DNR, Parks and Rec, Forest Dept., State Parks etc. to help spread the word to them about geocaching. Share how we can help them with CITO’s, trail blazing/maintaining, and promoting parks and trails with events. Create some sort of liason to help with any problems or concerns that arise with Geocaching so we don’t lose any more areas.
I would love to have the WGA shop expand and open year round with the option of shipping. Especially during the Christmas season.
Have a group of experienced puzzle cache solvers travel to different areas (expenses paid) and hold Puzzle Solving 101 classes.
With no lack of funds, the possibilities are endless! Maybe we should buy some lottery tickets. Ha!
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