WGA History and the Birth of Geocaching

The Birth of Geocaching

In early May of 2000, selective availability on civilian GPS receivers was removed. Before this time, only the military had the ability to get accurate GPS readings. Without selective availability, civilians were also able to get accurate GPS readings.  On May 3, 2000, a civilian named Dave Ulmer had an idea that he called, “The Great American GPS Stash Hunt,” and posted it in an internet GPS user’s group. Taking advantage of the increased accuracy of GPS receivers, he placed a “stash” outside of Portland, Oregon. It was a black plastic bucket, which was buried in the ground. Within a day, the original stash had been found by Mike Teague of Vancouver, Washington.   Within days, more stashes were hidden in California, Kansas, and Illinois. Within a month, a stash had been hidden as far away as Australia.

GPS Stash Hunt

On May 8, 2000, Mike Teague created the “GPS Stash Hunt” website (the precursor to geocaching.com) for collecting the locations of caches, along with the creation of the GPS Stash Hunt mailing list. However, after a discussion between participants, it was decided that the term “stash” may have negative connotations. On May 30, 2000, the term “geocaching” was suggested and ultimately decided upon. The next day, it was made official.

Geocaching.com

On September 2, 2000, Jeremy Irish launched a new website named geocaching.com, adding the listings from Mike Teague’s database. Managed from a lone computer on his home DSL line, the cache listings were added by hand. Additional features, like searching for caches around zip codes made it easier to find listings for nearby caches. The new website was announced to be the main listing site of geocaches around the world with 75 known caches at the time. Initially there were not any instant email notifications when a new cache was published. One either logged in to geocaching.com and looked or waited for the weekly email newsletter which would list the recently placed caches for your area.  

The Birth of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association (WGA)

2001

The first organized geocaching event in Wisconsin actually predated the formation of the WGA. It was the “SE Wisconsin Geocachers Picnic and Hunt” (GC1323), held August 26, 2001, at Pike Lake in SE Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine State Forest. The original event organizers were Ken Braband (kbraband), Brian Jansen (GrouseTales), Jeremy Vechinski (jvechinski), and Sam Worske (Yawningdog). Over 43 people attended the event, coming from many parts of the state; many meeting other cachers for the first time.  Eight temporary caches were hidden for the event. A commemorative cache (GC1A1A) was published the following week at the park with over 20 items donated by the picnic attendees. The picnic event was so successful that discussions took place to organize more events for the following year.

2002

January 2002 witnessed the first use of the name “Wisconsin Geocaching Association, which was more representative of the entire state. The first logo for the WGA was created that February. On February 17th, during the planning for events in 2002, the WGA website www.wi-geocaching.com was established (and hosted) by Alan and Arn Fiebig (CacheCows) as a resource for Wisconsin geocachers, and seven people agreed to serve on the WGA’s first Board of Directors to create continuity. The first board members were Ken Braband (kbraband), Brian Jansen (GrouseTales), Jeremy Vechinski (jvechinski), Joe Schnicke (Thraxman), Sam Worske (Yawningdog), and Alan & Arn Fiebig (both using the name CacheCows). Those seven board members served until the first elections the following year. (See the section entitled: “WGA Board of Directors” for a complete listing of all BOD members, past and present). It was felt that in those early days of geocaching, if geocaching.com and similar web sites ceased operations, Wisconsin geocachers would still have a way to remain in touch and communicate regarding geocaching activities through the WGA website. Many cachers posted notices of their new cache placements on the WGA website for quicker notifications. Two days later, on February 19th, a dedicated geocaching.com  account was created for the Wisconsin Geocaching Association. May 17-19th was the date of the first WGA campout (GC3B80), held at Governor Dodge State Park. A WGA campout has taken place every year since then. A total of 65 cachers logged 204 finds against the 26 temporary hidden caches. The night caches were especially fun; some glowed, some flashed, one swooped out of a tree, one quietly tolled a bell. The campout was followed by the second annual picnic (GC6B1F) on August 25th at Lapham Peak near Delafield, WI. 98 cachers posted 524 found it logs on the 18 temporary caches placed for the event. With the relatively few caches in the state the first several years, the placement (and online logging) of temporary caches for the picnic and campout events were commonplace, a practice that continued through 2007. Also in August 2002, the WGA petitioned Groundspeak for its own volunteer reviewer position, a dedicated position that would only deal with Wisconsin caches. Prior to that, all cache reviewing was done by the folks at geocaching.com. Between Groundspeak staff and a small number of volunteer reviewers, the approvers (as they were called then) handled the publishing of caches for the whole world. There was a single reviewer queue and any reviewer could publish any cache, although typically they handled certain regions.  In September 2002, the WGA became one of the first states to be given a local reviewer account from geocaching.com. (See the section entitled “Cache Reviewers” for a complete listing of all cache reviewers, past and present).

2003

On January 14th, the WGA hosted its first indoor event. A social event and WGA meeting at a restaurant in Germantown (GCBE16).  At that event, attendees were encouraged to host their own events, a novel concept at the time. Within a year, geocaching caching events were occurring almost monthly. On February 16th, the founding fathers of the WGA gathered in Yawningdog’s garage to discuss incorporation and bylaws for the organization. Those in attendance were Ken Braband (kbraband), Brian Jansen (GrouseTales), Jeremy Vechinski (jvechinski), Alan Fiebig (CacheCows), Joe Schnike (Thraxman) and, Sam Worske (Yawningdog). In March of 2003, the WGA became a formalized association by adopting bylaws and forming the first elected board. The bylaws call for a total of nine board members serving two-year terms. Each year, approximately half the board positions are up for election. The bylaws were approved March 11th and formal membership to the WGA was offered on March 12th. The first elections were held in May 2003, with Ken Braband serving as president of the new nine-member board. (See the section entitled “WGA Board of Directors” for a complete listing of all BOD  members, past and present). The WGA Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the business, initiatives, events, promotions, and policies of the WGA. Since the board members are volunteers located throughout the state, many meetings and discussions were and are conducted via the internet (and especially via the WGA website), telephone, or other electronic means, with at least one meeting per year held face to face.  

2004 and Beyond

In subsequent years, the WGA has continued in their efforts to promote geocaching and enrich the lives of many by striving toward the following purposes and goals:

  • Provide an opportunity for geocachers from around the state to gather and socialize through their many events, programs, and their website. Annual events include a spring campout (May), a fall picnic (early September), a winter bonfire/chili feed gathering (winter), a summer pancake breakfast at the West Bend Cache Ba$h Mega event (August), and a winter Lonely Cache Game event (February/March).
  • The WGA sponsors Cache In Trash Out (CITO) events for its members up to $50.  Number of sponsorships is decided by the newly elected board at the annual board meeting.  See the CITO section of the website.
  • Educate geocachers about the responsible use of natural resources and educate geocachers and non-geocachers alike about the sport of geocaching.
  • Promote the “Cache In Trash Out” and “Leave No Trace” programs to help in the maintenance of parks and trail systems.
  • Work as closely as possible with the Wisconsin DNR, park and recreation officials, and other property management organizations regarding geocaching in the state of Wisconsin.
  • Have fun!

Wisconsin Geocaching Association Board of Directors  

(Note that unless otherwise indicated, Board Member terms are 2 years, starting and ending in mid-February). We are indebted to the following volunteers who have unselfishly served on the WGA Board of Directors:

2002 Ken Braband (P) , Brian Jansen (VP), Jeremy Vechinski (S), Joe Schnicke (T), Sam Worske, Alan Fiebig, Arn Fiebig

2003 Ken Braband* (P) , Brian Jansen* (VP), Jeremy Vechinski* (S), Joe Schnicke* (T), Sam Worske*, Jeffrey Thorson, Ray Handley, Steve Bukosky, Lorrie Gottfried This board started in May 2003; individuals marked with a * were NOT elected, given one year term s on the board based on “Founding Father” status

2004 Brian Jansen (P), Ken Braband (VP), Jeffrey Thorson (S), Steve Bukosky (T), Rhonda Veroeven, Brian Geoffrey, Jeff Little, Ray Handley, Lorrie Gottfried

2005 Brian Jansen (P), Rhonda Veroeven (VP), Ken Braband (S), Brian Geoffrey (T), Jeff Little, Jeff Rahmlow, Ray Handley, Ruth Holliday, John Carvin

2006 Jeff Rahmlow (P), Brian Jansen (VP), Brian Geoffrey (T), William Pulvermacher (S), Becky Waldmann, Jeff Little, Ray Handley, Ruth Holliday, John Carvin

2007 Becky Waldmann (P), Jeff Rahmlow (VP), Anne Padgett* (S), Brian Geoffrey (T), Brian Jansen, Jeff Little, Ralph Edwards, Jennifer Mode, David Krug * Only elected to one year term due to resignation of William Pulvermacher

2008 Becky Waldmann (P), Ralph Edwards (VP), Jeremy Vechinski (S), Brian Geoffrey (T), Anne Padgett, Brian Jansen, Justin Korpal, Jennifer Mode, David Krug

2009 Becky Waldmann (P), Ralph Edwards (VP), Gwyn Calvetti (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Anne Padgett, Brian Geoffrey, Jeremy Vechinski, Justin Korpal, Seth Rubey

2010 Ralph Edwards (P), Justin Korpal (VP), Gwyn Calvetti (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Dave Secondino, Peter Quella , Shane Heule, Brian Kling, Seth Rubey

2011 Peter Quella (P), Shane Heule (VP), Barry Butrymowicz (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Jay Sampson, Dave Secondino, Brian Kling, Justin Korpal, Ralph Edwards

2012 James Bliefnick (P), Brian Kling (VP), Barry Butrymowicz (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Peter Quella, Lisa Daniels, Rob England, Ralph Edwards, Brian McKay* * Only elected to one year term

2013 James Bliefnick (P), Peter Quella (VP), Barry Butrymowicz (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Lisa Daniels, Brian Kling, Rob England, Rebecca Lillo, Chris Walker

2014 Chris Walker (P), Peter Quella (VP), Rebecca Lillo (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Barry Butrymowicz, Val Butrymowicz, August Hopp, Steve Biedermann, Rob England

2015 Chris Walker (P), Rebecca Lillo (VP), Rob England (S), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Peter Quella, Val Butrymowicz, August Hopp, Steve Biedermann, Michael Harris

2016 Chris Walker (P), Rebecca Lillo (VP), Renee Vanselow-Tapp (T), Linda Hobbs (S), Peter Quella, Michael Harris, Jim Rudy, Dawn Children, Lois Stedman

2017 Dawn Children (P), Lois Stedman (VP), Jessica Krueger (T), Brian Zubowski (S), Peter Quella, Renee Vaneslow, Linda Hobbs, Jim Rudy, Aaron Wurster**resigned Nov 2017**, Kelly King **replaced Aaron Wurster upon his resignation for the remainder of his term**

2018 Dawn Children (P), Lois Stedman (VP), Jessica Krueger (T), Kelly King (S), Brian Zubowski, Renee Vaneslow, Jim Peterson, Bob Hamblin, Dan Bednarek

2019 Dawn Children (P), Brian Zubowski (VP), Jim Peterson (T), Aaron Wurster (S), Renee Vaneslow, Bob Hamblin, Dan Bednarek, Lois Stedman, Rebecca Dauterman

2020 Aaron Wurster (P), Rebecca Dauterman (VP), Jim Peterson (T), Carson Monroe (S), Brian Zubowski, Chris Stolte, Kelly King, Jason Johnston, Renee Vanselow

2021 Carson Monroe (P), Kelly King (VP), Jim Peterson (T), Marie Lackore (S), Bethany Fredericks, Chris Stolte, Jason Johnston, Mark Olson, Renee Vanselow

2022  Renee Vanselow (P),  Mark Olson (VP),  Justin Pleva (T), Bethany Fredericks (S), Jodi Bauer, Jason Johnston, Karen Soley, Paul Charlier, Maverick Martin* (*replaced Marie Lackore for one year term)

2023 Renee Vanselow (P), Justin Pleva (VP), Jason Johnston (T), Paul Charlier (S), Jodi Bauer, Karen Soley, Jeff Grosvold, Jennifer Schmidt, Jacque Cody

Wisconsin Geocaching Association
Annual Picnic
 

The WGA organizes geocaching events that draw hundreds of geocachers from all over Wisconsin, works with land owners/managers on geocaching policies, educates organizations and the public at large about geocaching, and facilitates communication between WGA members via their website, events, and newsletters. Of the many events that the organization sponsors, one of their most popular is their annual WGA Geo-Picnic. Originally held in the Fall but currently held each Spring, the WGA geo-picnic moves to a different part of the state and is typically attended by 100 or more geocachers. There are many geocaching opportunities at the event, with sometimes as many as two or three dozen caches hidden in the area. However, the picnic is more than a chance to race around after numbers and keeping busy. From first-time cachers to old hands at the game, people come for the fun, for the chance to be outdoors, for some good eating, good times, and for being with so many others who share the love of geocaching.

The first organized geocaching event in Wisconsin (predating the WGA) was the “SE Wisconsin Geocachers Picnic and Hunt” (GC1323) held August 26, 2001, at the Pike Lake Unit of SE Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine State Forest. Over 43 people attended that event, coming from many parts of the state. Shortly afterward the name “Wisconsin Geocaching Association” was chosen, which was more representative of the entire state. During the planning for events in 2002, the WGA website was established as a resource for Wisconsin geocachers, and the first official WGA picnic was held at Lapham Peak Park in the Kettle Moraine State Forest–the WGA Geo-Picnic 2002 (GC6B1F). Forty-two teams consisting of 98 geocachers attended the picnic, and prize tickets were given to each finder for each of the 18 temporary geocaches placed throughout the park, with the tickets then entered into a drawing for some great prizes.

LOCATIONS

The following are the locations of the previous Annual Geo-Picnics  and a bit of random info about them:

2001 Pike Lake at Kettle Moraine State Forest, the first-ever Wisconsin geocaching event, actually predating the WGA but leading to the founding of it

2002 (2nd) Lapham Peak/Kettle Moraine State Forest, 42 teams consisting of 98 cachers, 524 “found it” logs includes 18 temporary caches

2003 (3rd) Devil’s Lake State Park, 558 “found it” logs on the temporary caches

2004 (4th) Mackenzie Environmental Education Center, 6 existing multis and 25 temporary caches, 1,641 “found it” logs on the temporary caches

2005 (5th) Greenbush trails, Kettle Moraine State Forest, 1,316 “found it” logs on the 37 caches

2006 (6th) Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, 861 logs on the 40+ temporary caches, plus permanent caches

2007 (7th) Wildcat Mountain State Park, 887 logs on 44 temporary caches, at least 8 permanent caches

2008 (8th) Lapham Peak/Kettle Moraine State Forest, 1st picnic where temporary caches are not logged, 40+ temporary and 12 permanent caches, 68 attended logs representing 131 cachers

2009 (9th) Lake Wissota State Park, 76 attended logs, 36 temporary and 32 permanent caches

2010 (10th) Roche-a-Cri State Park, 83 attended logs, 22 permanent caches, 1st time without temporary caches, 1st Whereigo cache, pre-event CITO

2011 (11th) Brunet Island State Park, 78 attended logs representing about 140 cachers, 21+ caches, kayaking to a T5 island cache, 1st photo contest

2012 (12th) Pike Lake/Kettle Moraine State Forest, 117 attended logs, 1st picnic-to-picnic WGA travel bug race, 1st creative cache contest

2013 (13th) Governor Thompson State Park, 54 attended logs, 2nd TB race, pontoon ride to island caches, hatching of many baby snapping turtles

2014 (14th) Lapham Peak/Kettle Moraine State Forest (Delafield, WI), 93 attended logs representing well over 100 cachers, 1st FTF Dash, 1st Blackjack run

2015 (15th) Pattison State Park (Superior, WI), Wisconsin’s highest waterfall, 21 new caches plus existing caches for the 70 in attendance, 1st WGA Medallion Hunt

• 2016 (16th) Black River State Park (Black River Falls, WI) More to come. In addition to geocaching, some of the many other activities at the picnics have included: • Creative cache contest • TB/Geocoin exchange • GeoGolf contest (pick coordinates in the park, the 3 closest to the secret “pin” win) • Log Roll contest (a geocache log, not a wooden log) • Pin the flag on the waypoint game • Geocacher social bingo and prizes • Attendance raffle • Group picture followed by brief WGA meeting • Picnic-to-Picnic WGA travel bug race sendoff • Geocoin/t-shirt/sweatshirt pickup or purchase • Children’s activities including arts & crafts, under 12 kids cache • Nature scavenger hunt

• 2017 (17th) Whitefish Dunes State Park – 15 year cache series published in the area.

• 2018 (18th)  Devils Lake State Park (Red Oak Shelter) • Presentation and Q&A session from WI reviewer Johnny Waypoint •  Dolly McNulty-volunteer with Ice Age Trail Alliance explains Cold Cache Program

• 2019 (19th) Rib Lake

• 2021 (20th) Yellowstone Lake State Park

• 2022 (21st) Brunet Island State Park

• 2023 (22nd) Potawatomi State Park

 

The Wisconsin Geocaching Association Annual Campout

The WGA campout is a great way to experience geocaching fun and meet other geocachers. The very first WGA Geo-Campout was held on May 17, 2002, at Governor Dodge State Park. A total of 65 cachers logged 204 finds on the 26 hidden caches. Ever since then there has been an annual WGA campout on a weekend each year, bringing together geocachers from all over the state, with the location changing each year. What activities take place at the geo-campouts? Well, the activities vary from year to year, but some of the mainstays include a campfire on Friday and Saturday nights, games and contests on Saturday for those who choose to participate, the always popular night cache contest on one of the evenings, and a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. There is a group photo taken on Saturday, followed by the annual general membership meeting. Of course there are also geocaches to find, and plenty of them, against the backdrop of a beautiful area! Other activities that one can enjoy while at the campout include hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, bird watching, rock climbing, s’mores, and fishing. Depending on the location, park naturalists sometimes offer presentations and guided nature tours of the park for those that sign up.

LOCATIONS

The following are the locations of the previous WGA Geo-Campouts, and a bit of random info about them:

• 2002 Governor Dodge State Park, the very first WGA campout, attended by 65 cachers

2003 (2nd) High Cliff State Park, 965 “found it” logs by 49 caching teams, 6 different night caches placed in the first-ever night cache contest (now an annual must-do), a “Clue” whodunit mystery cache series completed by 30 teams

2004 (3rd) Hartman Creek State Park, 2,179 “found it” logs, “Crossword Challenge Hunt” Friday night game

2005 (4th) Lake Wissota State Park, 2,349 “found it” logs, “CSI” geocaching game Friday night

2006 (5th) Peninsula State Park, 1,028 logs, Friday night game Geocaching Amazing Race (with detours, roadblocks, & fastforwards), best decorated campsite contest

2007 (6th) Hartman Creek State Park, 1,838 logs, 1st Geocacher Bingo game and raffle, 1st Sunday pancake breakfast (now done annually)

2008 (7th) Governor Dodge State Park, 75 geocaching teams attended, 55 temporary & 10 new permanent caches, first year that temporary caches are not logged

2009 (8th) High Cliff State Park, 102 geocaching teams attended, 40 temporary caches placed, general membership meeting held during the event (now done annually)

2010 (9th) Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 72 teams attended, Saturday family arts & crafts project, nature scavenger hunt

2011 (10th) Hartman Creek State Park, 78 teams attended, Cache Up and Mustard Out CITO Event, kids caches

2012 (11th) Governor Dodge State Park, 93 teams attended, 1st photo contest, geo golf, pig roast, pin the flag on the waypoint game

2013 (12th) Interstate State Park, joint WI/MN campout event, 74 teams attended, 1st Dutch oven cookoff, Park naturalist guided walking tours

2014 (13th) Mirror Lake State Park, 81 teams attended, photo scavenger hunt, a nice double rainbow on the last day

2015 (14th) High Cliff State Park, 94 teams attended, optional CITO event Saturday and pancake breakfast Sunday, 1st WGA silent auction, 1st WGA teamup token game, 17 new caches placed

2016 (15th) Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit (Dousman),

• 2017 (16th) Big Eau Pleine West Campground, Marathon County Parks, near Mosinee

• 2018 (17th) Wyalusing State Park

• 2019 (18th) Governor Thompson State Park, 34 teams attended, 17 new caches placed, new “Uniquely Wisconsin” muskie-shaped WGA geocoin unveiled, last campout to be held in Spring

• 2020 (19th) Buckhorn State Park, 29 teams attended, first campout to be held in Fall (rescheduled from the Spring due to pandemic restrictions), 20 new caches placed, one-time “event stacking” exemption allowed with the WGA annual picnic scheduled for the very next day, “Moo-niquely” WGA cow geocoin introduced

• 2021 (20th) Dells of the Eau Claire County Park (near Wausau), second time campout held in Fall, 56 teams attended, 26 new caches placed, WGA Ice Age Trail geocache series officially launched, IAT Mammoth WGA geocoin revealed

• 2022 (21st) Big Foot Beach State Park (Lake Geneva),  Sept 17-18, 2022

• 2023 (22nd) Blue Mound State Park (Mt. Horeb), Sept. 15-16, 2023

 

OTHER CAMPOUT RANDOM TIDBITS

Not the camping type? Come anyway! Non-campers are welcome to join in for caching, the bonfire, and other activities. Non-campers must leave state parks by 11:00 P.M. per DNR rules.

♦ In past years, those that attended receive a handout with event information, a map of all geocaches in the park, and the coordinates of newly published geocaches. Shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies with a Geo-Campout logo on them are available for purchase. After sunset, the group campfire is a fun place to keep warm, renew friendships, and make new ones. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

♦ Following the Saturday group photo, the WGA hosts its annual general membership meeting with a review of the past year, upcoming events, and general ideas for improving geocaching in Wisconsin. The meeting is run by the WGA Board of Directors and they do their best to address any questions or issues that arise.

Campout Night Caches!  Not just any night caches – these are a bunch of family-friendly special night caches temporarily placed for the WGA campout night cache contest! Many have said the night caches are the best part of past events. Each year a group of cachers create their greatest light-up, laser driven, glow in the dark, or just plain creative creations for the annual night cache contest. In the past, night caches have blinked, glowed, sang, hooted, rung bells, flashed, and even spoke. There have been angels swooping out of trees, trails of alien blood leading to crashed space craft, and caches that reflected their position. The night caches are a lot of fun and are always a highlight of the WGA campouts.

♦ In some years, Sunday morning has featured a delicious breakfast featuring pancakes (all you can eat), sausage, coffee, and juice. Volunteers to help are always welcome!  

Thanks to our WGA Historian John Sudar for putting this together March 2016!        
Edited 02-23-2020 by rawevil & 11-09-2021, 2-22-2023 by Hack1of2, and 12-05-2023 by jmj-wi.

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