Regional CITO Events

[-cheeto-]

Last February, the WGA Board of Directors decided that we would focus more on developing regional CITO (Cache In Trash Out) events. We felt that this would enable us to reach out to more areas of the state, and would also be living up to our mission statement. The board voted to sponsor 6 CITOs during 2010, with a budget of $900 for the 6 events.

As it turned out, we were able to exceed our goal, and sponsored 7 CITOs last year, and all were tremendously successful. This included a spring and fall cleanup of our adopted stretch of Hwy 10 in NE Wisconsin.

At the February Board meeting, the board will reorganize, and it will be up to the incoming board whether to continue this emphasis on CITOs.

Candidates: 2-part question

Have you attended a CITO event in the past? If not, do you practice CITO while out on the trail?

Would you support the continued focus on regional WGA-supported CITO events and continuing to fund these events?

Thanks for your feedback!

[The Crippler]

Cheeto, thanks for the question.

Yes, I have attended CITO events in the past and find them to be a very rewarding experience. I practice CITO at just about every cache location except for some areas in the Racine/Kenosha areas that a certain cacher might have placed a Nemesis hide. 😀 I believe CITO events are certainly good for the environment and the image of the WGA. I would certainly continue to vote to support and attend these events as the funds invested are minimal compared to the return.

[Northwoods Tom]

Have not attended a CITO event in my 20+ months of geocaching. Would I? Why not! Myself and our school has been practicing a yearly TO event for 30+ years of the entire Island community. We call ours Island clean-up day. Good for the community, good for the group.

Yes I practice CITO. Blows my mind some times what you find and where. One reason I cache is to lose weight, yet often come back several pounds heavier…

[zuma]

Thanks for the great question. As you and other board members know, I proposed a plan for holding 6 regional CITOs at our board meeting last year and we as a board budgeted $150 per CITO. I am very pleased that I was able to start the WGA on the course of holding multiple regional CITOs during my year as president, and count this as a major success of the past year.

Of the 7 regional CITOs that the WGA sponsored last year, I attended 4 of them: Appleton, Barnes, Gibraltrar and Adams.

I consider our regional CITO events to be an important part of what the WGA needs to do in the future, and will be proposing that we continue the program and expand it from a goal of 6 regional CITOs that we had last year, to a goal of 10 regional CITOs next year. The WGA currently is in a very good financial situation, so we can afford to budget $150 to underwrite 10 CITO events, at a total budgeted cost of $1500. Last year, we allowed local organizers of CITO events to use the $150 in any way that they saw fit, including spending it on equipment, door prizes, donuts or whatever local people thought would be helpful in making their event a success.

I also think that the way that we did it last year is a formula for success. We basically partnered with local groups and individuals on sponsoring the CITO events. This meant that local folks were responsible for scheduling, locating, planning and overall organization of the event. We provided the $150 financial support, writing the cache page based on their specifics, and helped with advertising. This is a winning formula, as it provides for a great deal of flexibility and allows local people to design an event best for their area, while at the same time providing some support.

[Barry Butrymowicz]

My wife and I have not yet attended a CITO, but would if one happened close to us.

I would continue to support the funding and creating more of these type of events. in the future.

[Scrappy Scout]

Cheeto thanks for the question.

Yes my wife and I attended our first CITO this past year. We love the concept of giving back to the parks where we hide our treasures. We plan on attending more this coming summer now that my schedule has changed and will allow me to attend more events. We also practice CITO when we go caching by ourselves we carry plastic bags with us and will pick up garbage as we walk along trails. I believe the cleaner we can leave areas the better cachers look and why not give back to the community and the environment.

Scout

[AuntieNae]

[TyeDyeSkyGuy]

I have attended CITO events in the past, both within geocaching, and out. In fact the very first one I attended was in the nature preserve right behind my place. It was in spring of 2007, right after I started caching. It wasn’t a geocaching event, but MANY local geocachers showed to help. It’s amazing that a park that seemed so clean at first glance, could cough up so much garbage.

I’m proud of the WGA for sponsoring these types of events, and I will encourage the board and membership to continue. It cleans up our parks, it dramatically helps the image of both geocaching and the WGA, and it’s a heck of a lot of fun too. 🙂

There is currently a CITO being formed here in SE Wisconsin for this spring. I’m hoping very much to be involved, and hope that SOMEONE contacts me soon with the details. 😉 Jake? 😆

[Averith]

Thanks for the questions.

I have attended both CITO events held at our WGA adopted highway as well as highway cleanups held here in Sheboygan county.

I always have a garbage bag in my fanny pack when we go out caching and often come back to the car with a full bag, so yes I practice CITO when out caching.

As for regional CITO events I’m 100% in favor of continuing the regional CITO events, I feel that it’s a great way to give back to the parks where we play our game.

[uws22]

I haven’t had the chance to attend a CITO in WI, but assisted with one in AZ when I lived there. My camelbak has a lot of extra pockets I never use except to fill with wrappers and such that I find.

We also do a roadside cleanup as members of the Verona Lions Club 3 times a year.

[Author]

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