MnGCA

the_Crazy_Vacationer · Geocacher Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

Edited 3/29/2006 - updated information first

I have decided to do a picnic/family event for my Webelos den (Fourth Graders). We're going to go to Crosby Park on Saturday, 4/29/2006. We're going to have a picnic lunch, and then I'm going to teach them some Map and compass things along with running mini compass course.

At 1:15, I'm planning to give them an intro to Geocaching and we're planning to start at about 1:30. So far, I'm the only parent in the den who has done any geocaching. I also the only parent who's used a GPS. (1 parent has turned his on and another parent is thinking about buying one.) I'm not certain how many will show up, but I'm hoping for 6 or 7 of my 12 scouts.

If you would like to help out and introduce a new generation to Geocaching, I would love to have your assistance. That way, we could also break the scouts into smaller groups and give each scout more hands on time with a GPS.

Thanks,

Tom

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I'm a beginner Geocacher, and I'm also a Cub Scout den leader and pack cubmaster. Shocked

I had this idea in July/August, but hadn't done anything with it yet, and then we had Polar Camp this past Saturday, 1/28/06.

They introduced the 4th and 5th grade scouts to GPS and had them run a mini course where they found a blue reflector with a code number. They had about 18 of them scattered around. After my scouts had a chance to do this, I talked with them and they all had a lot of fun. Very Happy

Here is my thought and questions. I remember reading about the Coon Rapids Lost Cache last July/August, and remember thinking it would be a great outing with the cub scouts. With 10 caches to gather the clues to the final cache, there are enough clues to find that we could break the scouts into small groups to find these.

I think it would be a fun way to introduce several families at once to the fun of geo-caching, and also would be a good way for the scouts to earn another pin/badge/belt loop. I would probably coordinate this on a Saturday (I'm thinking late April) and have them bring a picnic lunch. I may also announce this to the entire pack, rather than just a single den.

Since I haven't done this cache before (nor a lot of other ones Embarassed

), here are my questions:

Are the caches containing the clues spread out (meaning a car ride) or pretty close together (a good walk)?
Is this cache a good first experience for kids and parents?
Is there maybe another cache that could provide a similar experience?
Would any experienced geocachers be willing to join us and help out some newbies?

Thanks,

Tom
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My wife tells me I vacation like a maniac. When I started geocaching on vacation, my family lovingly gave me the "Crazy Man" award. Thus was born the Crazy Vacationer

jambro · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Tom,

I'm also a Den Leader for my son's Tiger den this year. I took them through a multi I have (No Monsters Here) and they had a great time. I've done the cache you're talking about, and I think the main drawback to that one is that it is really spread out around Coon Rapids/Blaine. Personally, I'd take them to a 3-5 stage multi within a single large park. My boys had a great time with just the 3 stages, and it didn't tap into their attention span too much. Good luck!
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15Tango · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:43 am Post subject:

the_Crazy_Vacationer · Geocacher Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

I didn't know about that one - I'll have to check it out.

See - I knew it would be a good idea to ask.
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My wife tells me I vacation like a maniac. When I started geocaching on vacation, my family lovingly gave me the "Crazy Man" award. Thus was born the Crazy Vacationer

Marsha and Silent Bob · Past MnGCA President Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 6261

I have recommended to other troops (479 in Eden Prairie) that they try Crosby Farm Park. I believe there are ~15 caches around the lake and it's about 2.5 miles round-trip.

Some are inaccessable in the winter (especially for Cub Scouts) but the majority would be fine.
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Sad state of affairs.

sui generis · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

Lebanon Hills also has several caches.
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jambro · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

the_Crazy_Vacationer · Geocacher Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

bump - new info in first post
_________________
My wife tells me I vacation like a maniac. When I started geocaching on vacation, my family lovingly gave me the "Crazy Man" award. Thus was born the Crazy Vacationer