Something different| Super secret NOT!

[hack1of2]

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

Just to let everyone know, this was my idea. The only secret is where the cache that Sunshine and I hid is. No one else knows. I’m not sharing the location with anyone, but for enough money it probably could be yours. I offered to make this happen as a new fun event for those who attend. I assumed that because it was announced that it was happening so that those without smart phones could possibly team up with someone who did. The coordinates will be posted shortly after publication for everyone else at the event.

Bill I have something better than money. If you tell me the coordinates ahead of time I’ll do a professional photo shoot of you at GC57FMW. I’ll give you until tomorrow to decide. 😉

[bartrod]

Arghhhh! I just got down to planning the weekend and realized there’s no campground at Lapham Peak 😯 I’d always taken my camper to the fall picnics in past years…it made a great base for a couple of days of caching/camping…not sure what I’m going to do now 😕

Oconto...the birthplace of western civilization:)

[Trekkin and Birdin]

“Hey… Ckayda? I’ve seen your name in the WGA forums! Great to meet you in person!” … That will happen more than you think. Wink

We can say we met her before she showed up here, sharing a really challenging and interesting cache hunt!

[BeccaDay]

@bartrod wrote:

Arghhhh! I just got down to planning the weekend and realized there’s no campground at Lapham Peak 😯 I’d always taken my camper to the fall picnics in past years…it made a great base for a couple of days of caching/camping…not sure what I’m going to do now 😕

Bartrod, I can help you figure out a place nearby to camp. I know it won’t be in the same park but it won’t be far away. There’s camping at Ottawa Lake in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit or at Naga-Waukee in the Waukesha County Park system. Can anyone else think of another place? I know, last year we camped at the Picnic and it was a blast, although cold.

Not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien

[hack1of2]

@Braid Beards Gang wrote:

Devil’s Advocate hat is now on:

There have been rumblings that people avoid the WGA and its events because they have the feeling of a high school cafeteria where all that matters is the ‘cool kids’. There are some that feel that the WGA and its membership are not very welcoming. This idea of a group FTF may be really fun and exciting idea for the picnic to the “cool kids”. Those who do not visit these forums/facebook or have notifications sent to their phones may just feel more like an outsider.

A couple of thoughts. First, I don’t know if this will be a “group FTF.” That was talked about as a possibility, a la cache bash evening event where a new cache is announced for all to find that night at the same time. Group FTF for 50 or more (or group argument). Instead, the cache is being published at an unannounced time, at an undisclosed location, and possibly one or only a few may be near when it “goes live.” Granted, the newbies probably don’t get text notifications of new caches. As well as many seasoned cachers who don’t chase FTF’s. But its something new that will appeal to some and not to others. Point taken though.

As for the clique thing, Kim and I haven’t really noticed it as much, but then we’re generally more outgoing than some, and are seemingly drawn to the beginner or the “wallflower.” Still, if I am oblivious to the level of the clique thing and there are those who feel left out, then I would say their perception is probably more accurate. Nobody likes being shunned or not valued. Truth be told I don’t see it much at WGA outings, if anything more at Wild Bunch gatherings, because they occur much more frequently. But even Wild Bunchers are generally fun loving people persons that I think intend to welcome everyone, but they have their limitations like we all do when it comes to group dynamics. I think it’s heartwarming when I see a Wild Bunch post almost weekly with an open invitation for ANYONE to join up on some type of outing. Their gatherings or outings don’t seem like secrets to me.

All we can do, collectively and individually, is to try to reach out to those who are new or unfamiliar to us, or new to geocaching. Human nature being what it is, there’s always probably going to be some of that clique thing going on. I would imagine people want to see their friends (but hopefully not at the expense of encouraging others). Certainly not a reason to not schedule events, but something those with social awareness should be aware of. Thanks BBG for bring up the tough subject and making us think.

Chris any suggestions for improvement?

[Lacknothing]

I am definitely going to reset my notification range so that my iPhone lets me know when this cache is published. Then I plan to leave which wedding I am presently attending in Appleton – and drive about 400 mph – just so I can get the FTF! We shall see how this works!

The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.

[Noonan]

I could set mine to 2200 miles 🙂

The best sig is no sig.

[Ckayda]

Just keep checking for local events near you, or ones you can get too without too much hassle, and you will soon find that you will get to know people, and maybe quite a few more in those smaller settings than you would at a larger event.

Yes, I went to a couple of flash mobs during the August souvenir challenge and they were of quality.

We can say we met her before she showed up here, sharing a really challenging and interesting cache hunt!

Yes! I’ve been caching for two years and you guys are actually the only cachers I’ve ever met just out and about like that. I was really glad to see you because that random guy was creeping me out a little bit….

[Trekkin and Birdin]

He was….different! 😕

[Braid Beards Gang]

Devil’s Advocate hat is now off:

The idea of a cache published at the picnic is new and might be fun. It could even create some teaming up of new faces. I just wanted to throw out what could be perceived. It is best to keep the event fresh with new activities otherwise it will feel like the same thing every year. Eventually, they will all blend together.

I posted what I did, because I have heard over the past few years that some have a negative view of the WGA. I think we ALL need to look at activities keeping that in mind. I too was a little surprised the first time.

[BeccaDay]

Thanks for the great reminder. We were all newbies once and can remember what it’s like to walk up to an event where many people know each other and you don’t know anyone. It’s a nice reminder to reach out and make new friends.

Not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien

[Averith]

@Braid Beards Gang wrote:

Devil’s Advocate hat is now on:

There have been rumblings that people avoid the WGA and its events because they have the feeling of a high school cafeteria where all that matters is the ‘cool kids’. There are some that feel that the WGA and its membership are not very welcoming. This idea of a group FTF may be really fun and exciting idea for the picnic to the “cool kids”. Those who do not visit these forums/facebook or have notifications sent to their phones may just feel more like an outsider.

I understand where you are coming from. Something to consider though is the WGA is a completely volunteer run orginization. The BOD does the lions share of the work when it comes to events (planning, setting up, running, cleaning up afterword, etc). If people feel that events are becoming stale, or that the WGA is a club for the “cool kids” their is a solution. Get involved! When the same people are always coming up with the ideas for events you are likely to get fewer new ideas then if a more diverse group of people lend a hand and help shape what happens at events.

Well before an event is published the BOD asks for help in the planning and running of the event. For the most part some usual suspects will step forward to offer their help but it certainly isn’t like we are beating people off with a stick who are offering to help.

If anyone feels that the events or the WGA are becoming stale or uninviting PLEASE step forward and volunteer to help.

[sandlanders]

This goes both ways. The BOD also has to ask for help and then be willing to turn tasks over to volunteers when they step up. There always used to be the call for help on the major events: committees, planning, working. I haven’t noticed this on the last few events. There have also been times when I have volunteered to help out and been told, “No, thanks. We have it covered.”

I miss seeing a dedicated post for each event that would get many responses, stirring up excitement and anticipation for the coming get-together. Cachers would make plans in the forums, talk about who was staying where or dining where, who was bringing what, and so on. Case in point: Bartrod posted that he just learned that there was no camping at Lapham Peak. In the past, this would have been discussed in the forums, and cachers would have shared what their plans were.

Yes, Facebook has taken over as the “go to” place for social interaction, but there is more than one WGA site on Facebook, and the official WGA site seems like it is more a place for announcements rather than planning and discussion. I like seeing the WGA on Facebook, but I would also like to see everyone directed to the WGA website for details and discussion. It is always there and always monitored. (And we have useless drivel.)

[Walkingadventure]

Thank you everyone for your input.

A complacent, stagnant, dying association would be one where no one questions the status quo and everyone walks around singing campfire songs and holding hands, never caring to recognize the problems that are there.

I am glad we aren’t like that.

No matter how good we can be we can always be better, more open, caring, accommodating, flexible and ready to try different ideas, make a change, try something new, try something old, ask for help, take chances, do something that turns out awesome awesome, do something that fails…

but do it together

Following the signals from space.

[Walkingadventure]

Following the signals from space.

[Author]

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