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@beccaday wrote:

Sadly you’re right. But I wouldn’t want to not do something good for our members because a few dishonest people may work the system.

I agree. Besides it is always fun to point and laugh at the cheaters. Probably worth the price of admission.

Also, if the prizes were only available when attending a WGA event, people would have to claim the prize with others observing, which would be a real bonus for those who complete the challenge the right way and encourage others to work at it. The side benefit of that, is most cheaters would be reluctant to show their face to claim a prize in that type of situation.

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@Walkingadventure wrote:

We are still trying to decide on a standard design for a patch/embroidered hat, etc. that would reflect the WGA, visiting the state parks and the State Park Challenge.

Open for all idea anyone may have.

I think that we should have 3 levels of challenge for State Park Challenge.

15 state parks – Bronze
30 state parks – Silver
45 state parks – Gold

In that way, people can “complete” the challenge with as few as 15 state park visits, but still have future goals to get more of them.

The WGA has plenty of cash on hand, and should be able to fund prizes for those who complete the challenge.

Bronze – Bronze Patch only, may purchase shirt, eligible to find Bronze Challenge cache
Silver – Silver patch, a free WGA State Park tour shirt, eligible to find Silver Challenge cache
Gold – Gold patch, afree WGA State Park hoodie and eligible to find Gold Challenge cache.

The toughest part is what the design for the patch and shirt would look like. It would be a single design, available in 3 colors, one for each level of challenge completion.

It would be great if some of the graphic designers and artists in our midst could work something up, as that is not something I am capable of doing. If we dont get a good offer of a design in a week or so, it may be reasonable to do a design contest, even though design contests do introduce their own set of problems.

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@Trekkin and Birdin wrote:

We’re very happy to see this program finally get off the ground, since Birdin’ knows from her short time on the Board that it’s been a long time coming. One thought I had based on our experiences doing the Minnesota State Park series since the first one of those….would it be possible to create a standardized sheet to post at each park’s main information site with the coordinates? In Minnesota, the sheet is the “next stage,” as all of those are multis, but we might try the same thing here. I know that even as experienced cachers (without smartphones), there were a couple times we ended up close to one of the parks and realized….we could get a cache there.

I’m sure it also generates interest from non-cachers who see them. I know some of the Wisconsin parks have units for loan and maybe working with local volunteers, we could have them be “demo” parks. I have done such programs at Perrot, and will probably be doing them again, because I will be a volunteer naturalist with them now. Just some thoughts to build on all the great work already being done. Thanks to the Board and all the local trail bosses for finally making this a reality!

Awesome idea. It is also a great way to introduce new folks to the fun of geocaching, and is a good way to partner with the DNR in helping folks get the most out of the state park system.

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We cached in Iowa over the weekend, in low wind chills. The temp on the last find Sunday evening was 5 below. Thank goodness it was a quick find.

Monday thru Wednesday though I just stayed indoors and tried to stay warm and played with Lauryn. Caching is a lot less fun when your hands are cold. You can dress for the cold, but you still have to take your gloves off to work the gps and sign the logbook, and it is just a lot less fun when the temps are below zero.

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Very cool. thanks Brian.

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Now that is a cool way to do a milestone. WTG!

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Thanks for posting that. I may have to “borrow” that little box, as it says quite well what a number of people need to hear.

I might have to add something about there being a difference between a film can in a stop sign and an ammobox at a scenic location in the woods, and while a cut and paste log is fine with a film can in a stop sign, that is not true of caches that are well thought out in scenic locations.

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Great choice. Looking forward to it.

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I confess to collecting every one of them as well, despite a general feeling that making souvenir collection so easy to do manages to find a way to devalue something that did not have much value to start with.

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I also have a challenge out there like thatL GC3FXYJ

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@labrat_wr wrote:

thought I would put this one up for anyone interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370744813589?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1605wt_932

I bought a bunch of these last year, and they seem to do a better job in keeping logs dry than some bison tubes.

Way better than DNA tubes, the current scourge afflicting the caching community.

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@Walkingadventure wrote:

Becca and I are moving forward with this plan. Thanks Ralph for the update.

Everyone else- any input you have will be helpful.

Chris and Becca,

I hope you got the email that I sent. I am willing to help out in any way that I can, as I think this is a very worthwhile project still.

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I participated in the past, but am probably going to be unable to this year. If things change, I will let you know.

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The issue back in 2010 was that the DNR was not staffed appropriately, so did not have the manpower or resources to work on the project. I had to speak to the director of the department because the right person was a job that was not filled and not allowed to be filled.

I think it is a great idea, and should be pursued. A reasonable first step would be to contact the DNR and see if that position has been filled and who the correct contact person is. I am going to send what I have to Becca and Chris so they do not have to start from square one.

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Congratulations to all 4 of the new board members. What a great group of new board members!

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