Need some help with a monopoly cache.

[Hope2findit]

Hi everyone – I have never posted before, but I have had a little issue in putting out a mega-cache, and maybe someone out there would like to team up with me to get it done.

Last year, I designed a Monopoly cache. There were a total of 19 individual waypoints, each corresponding to a square on a monopoly board. (GO, Reading Railroad, Illinois Ave, Chance, Jail, etc.) The point of the cache was to start at GO, roll a die, and based on your roll, go to one of 6 places, where you would find another container which would give you your next move. For example, at the “Chance” spot, there were three chance cards, you pick one and go to that spot.

As you move around and go to each waypoint, you might get sent to Jail, or back to Go, etc. If you had by some miracle always picked the correct path, you could find the final in 6 moves.

However, at each of the waypoints, there was a clue that could be used to find a Bonus cache – so if you actually DID go to all the 19 waypoints, there was a bonus to find.

It would obviously take an entire day (or longer) to do. (kinda similar to a real game of monopoly) I had it all set up in Elm Grove Park, but after posting it, I found that four of my spots were not acceptable. I ended up picking up all the waypoints, putting them in a bag in my garage, and thinking that someday I would try again.

I put in a lot of work on this, and the 19 waypoints were really cool – each one has a card in it (laminated) that looks like a monopoly card, some have chance or “go to Jail” cards, etc. Two had dice. None of them are micros. I saved all my work on the computer, so I can change coordinates and re-make all of the waypoints relatively easily.

In order to make the cache, I posted sticky notes on my kitchen wall, then taped a piece of yarn between all the possible moves – its still there looking at me every day – and I’m trying to decide weather to just junk the idea, or if its worth going forward with it. Yesterday, I came up with the idea of actually asking for help to get it done.

Anyone interested? Elm Grove Park is probably where it would go – since I have four caches there that are more or less “saving” the space.

Please let me know if you are interested, or if you think the geocaching community would just not be interested in this type of cache.

thanks
Julie

[Lostby7]

Hi Julie.

You did not mention why the spots you choose could not be used…was someone elses cache in the way? Were you too close to another cache of yours? If other peoples caches were in the way we could always just keep muggling them until they give up the spot…I mean we could ask them to move theirs a bit to accommodate you…you never know until you ask.

I love the idea and it sounds like fun….too fun to just abandon. There may be other locations large enough to place this series as well…

[Hope2findit]

I apparently set a couple of caches on private property – although back in the woods, it was really hard to tell where private started and public ended.

Two were too close to the railroad (one of those was Reading RR of course).

The park currently has a total of 5 caches – 4 of them are mine, and were set there for the express purpose of “saving” the location for this monopoly cache. Lots of people have done them now, and I wouldn’t have an issue archiving them.

The 5th cache there is put out by someone who has only found 3 caches total, and has this one set up. Lots of people have found it, but I’m thinking that he might have given up on the caching thing, and might be open to the idea of abandoning that cache.

I originally had set up Monopoly with that “other” cache left in place – it DID make my hides a little more difficult to place, so without it, the placing of waypoints in acceptable locations would be much easier.

Like I said – this would definately take a LONG time to actually find – so I’m not sure many cachers would be interested – but its a really nice park, and there are a lot of other things to do if some cachers in the group decided to take a break.

[Lostby7]

I guess I would begin by seeing if you have the room to get the wps placed if the other cache owner were to remove his cache, then if you have enough room I’d ask the cache owner if he would consider opening up the spot.

To get more people to find your series I’d also consider placing one or two of the wps as loggable caches…there will be some disagreement on this point, but many cachers will pass up a 19 point multi for a single smile but add another cache or two and you will get more who will take the time to seek your series. Even so, there will always be someone who is looking for a challenging series without regard to the number of smiles. In the end you need to decide what you as the cache owner are willing to accept. I like most of my caches to be found as often as possible…unless the cache is in a sensitive area then I place harder (puzzle or multi) caches to get less finders. If you take great satisfaction from few but very happy finders then a single smile is that you should put out.

You could also seek the permission of the property owner for the wps to be located there as that would help you as well.

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

This also sounds like a great activity for an event.

[Hope2findit]

you are right – an event might be the best way to do this. I have never been to a geocaching event, so obviously have never set one up, but this could work for that.

I could set up the Monopoly waypoints, then have everyone meet at the park, and send people out to start the game in 5 minute intervals, and see who gets the Bonus first – with a cool FTF prize.

with all the work that went into putting this together – it would be very satisfying to actually SEE people doing it.

and I could hang out by the pavillion with a beverage and laugh as I see caching teams criss-crossing the park.

I like that idea!!!

[CacheARRRS]

when I first read the post I thought it SCREAMED event to me, but having never been to one I couldn’t confirm that…. but still looks like you will have that ready for the picnic right? nudge nudge wink wink hint hint.

[Hope2findit]

ok, its settled then.

I will put an event together – (as long as my hubby is ok with it – actually, maybe I’ll send him to visit his sister in North Carolina that weekend)

It probably will be in July

I will get some help to put it together by a few sisters that are cachers, and the guy who sits next to me at work – who is a cacher.

And, hopefully lots of veteran cachers can give me some hints on putting an event together.

Julie

[Lostby7]

You may want to consult our WI approvers first as there might be issues with using the word “monopoly.” I’m still a bit fuzzy on the rules for using trademarked names / brands etc…

This thread might help:
http://wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7368

[CacheARRRS]

you COULD always call it “the real estate game that everybody has a copy of in their closet” event cache…..

OR

My
geOcaching
eveNt
abOut
Playing a
famOus game
we alL know, but
is CopYwritten!

[Author]

Posts