Community Service Projects

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

There are a lot of ways to show how the WGA can get the name out there. We can also try to tell people about the good that we can do. As a group of people (based solely on the ones I have met) are great, generous, caring, and fun people that enjoy each others company. There are things that we can do. So here is my question to you.

If the WGA were to have a community service project what would it be? In an effort to weed out the simple answers I am eliminating CITO and Invasive species control from the table. What else would you like to see the WGA involved with?

[Lostby7]

@Team Hemisphere Dancer wrote:

If the WGA were to have a community service project what would it be? In an effort to weed out the simple answers I am eliminating CITO and Invasive species control from the table. What else would you like to see the WGA involved with?

You take all the fun out of a good simple and easy answer…

Well to be honest I don’t think we need to be looking much further than what is currently being done. While I know you have taken CITO off the table, I will just say that if that was still on the table that would be my answer. We are not a large corporate entity, we are just a small group and we should stick to helping in the areas we are most akin to which for us involves the parks and their care.

[K0rpl]

Well, the two items that you have taken off of the table, are ones that were requested by various agencies. That is why they were completed. I do beleive that the Highway cleanup, will also be beneficial in getting out names out there. Every little thing that we do gets our name out there. We just have to work on keeping it out there.

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

Let me add to the question. My original question still stands, but with all the different avenues that we could take as a group why do we limit ourselves to picking up trash. While CITO is important there are many ways that we can also help. But there are many people that may not get the chance to experience geocaching because of disabilities or any need inspiration get out there. Or other organizations that could use volunteer help that would not cost a thing just the manpower to help with some work.

In short rather than stick to the old I am looking for creative alternatives to the usual.

[AuntieNae]

In trying to follow the direction you are seeking with this question, I keep going back to what this organization is .. the Wisconsin Geocaching Association. The service/ leadership projects that I could see members getting involved in beyond CITO would be that would be directly related to geocaching ..

– assist with Arbor Day Activities by sponsoring/ planting tree(s)
– assist with a trail reconstruction project
– step forward to lead a Geocaching Basics Workshop

Is this what you are seeking?

AuntieNae

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

I am looking for creativity and out of the box thinking.

[greyhounder]

I like the idea of community service. I know it’s hard for some people to get the time to donate to others, but even a little bit of spare time given to others can benefit so much.

Things that could be fun (beside CITO and invasives removal):

Any project in a local/county/state park — they’ve got lots of trail maintenance, structure rebuilding and painting…we have a local park that was adopting out sections for people to come in and “clean up” (yes, and remove the nasty weeds).

Adopt-A-Highway litter pick up. We need to get going on this one!!

Youth groups — it would be fun to work with various youth groups to introduce geocaching, talk about Leave No Trace, and the importance of respecting your environment.

I also like Auntienae’s idea of planting trees for Arbor Day (great idea!)

I’m sorta sleepy now, so that’s all that’s off the top of my head. Might think of more later.

Bec

[Sean Connery]

😀 While I am very reluctant to offer up an idea, here goes. You might wish to consider a project helping the wheelchair bound discover and learn about our activity. I believe that the DNR has a program setup for taking wheelchair bound folks hunting and fishing using special equipment and hunt times. I have also been wheelchair bowling for 3 years with the badger wheelchair bowling Association. There is also the VA to consider as a contact point. I believe they just held a big national convention/sporting event here in Milwaukee.

Anyway, there is my 2 cents worth.

[Jeremy]

The WGA should definitely be involved in community service projects… both to give back to the community in certain areas, and to get more recognition for the WGA among non-geocachers. While many great community service project possibilities have already been mentioned by others, I would focus on these big three:

– Education. Our “mission statement” specifically lists educating the public about geocaching as one of our primary objectives. I think if people knew we had a well designed introductory geocaching program that our members could put on for small groups (scouts, school groups/classes, nature centers) around the state, we’d get several dozen requests for help a year. For this to happen, we’d need to get more organized and create standardized instructional materials. It may also be advantageous to put together presenter kit(s) which would include loaner GPS units for class participants.

– Trail maintenance. Geocachers use trails all the time; so it would be in our best interest to help maintain and construct them. We could use our GPS units to map out trails and create maps for parks that don’t have them yet. We could make or purchase signs or other items (benches, boot brushes, etc.) that would increase user’s enjoyment of trails. I think signs in particular would be a great thing because they could have the WGA name on them and possibly even some information about geocaching for non-caching trail users.

– CITO and Adopt-A-Highway. Any sort of CITO project should be embraced by the WGA. Adopt-A-Highway fits in with theme of “giving back”… geocachers log many miles on state highways driving to and from caches, so maintaining one small section of these highways seems appropriate.

[Author]

Posts