MnGCA

[sir_zman]

Given the success of the 2007 Geotech event I have been considering us having another one. I know that Jonas suggested a 2009 event, but I don't know if it ever happened. Either way I have spoken with the Oakdale Discovery Center (part of their Parks and Rec department) and they are very excited to allow us to host the event at their location.

Oakdale has been a big supporter of Geocaching, offering classes, demonstrations and welcoming us into their parks.

They are offering us two rooms, so that we may have two tracks running per session. And I was thinking a tentative schedule of five 50 minute classes in various topics would be appropriate. We haven't chosen a date yet, but I am thinking that a Saturday in May might be appropriate.

I have taken the list of classes proposed for the 2009 event as a starter list, but what other classes would you like to see at this event and would you be interested in teaching a class?

Ideas currently suggested:
Introduction to geocaching - GopherJen
Hiding caches (how to, and what makes a good hide) - Topgear
Introduction to GSAK - m&tcacheseekers
Intermediate GSAK & Macros - m&tcacheseekers
How to solve geocaching puzzles
Creating an advanced cache page
Technical walk through of GPS models
Cacher Roundtable (open forum)
Smartphones for caching and paperless - I will do an android discussion if someone else who has an iPhone will lead the apple side of things, talk about the official app and any other apps that are out there.

Making and Finding WhereIGo cartridges - trista74
GoogleEarth, and using finding caches along a route. - Red_Devil35

Willing to help take a muggle out caching - oakwilt, lmninmn

This event will only happen with the support of our local community, willingness to help teach and attend events, so let me know what you think. Please post your interest in attending/teaching and any ideas for other course topics.

The GC event page has been published: http://coord.info/GC26VYW

edited to add course titles - sz
edited by sz to add gc event page

[roylake]

How about caching with your smartphone (I-phone/Blackberry/Droid/ect..) and the related software for going paperless.

[sir_zman]

[Red_Devil35]

GoogleEarth, and using finding caches along a route.
_________________
"We never seek things for themselves-what we seek is the very seeking of things"-Pascal

[msteffel]

Some classes not mentioned yet that I'd attend:

How to create a good puzzle cache (I thought I heard pfalstad did a class on this topic [or similar] last time)

BS-39/B-Squadron 39 (What is it? Who are they? What are their tactics/tricks of the trade?)


I'd offer to teach a class, but I don't think people want to learn 'How to DNF' or 'How to write long, stream-of-conscious logs with no point'.

[Pear Head]

Excellent to hear!

I'd be interested in helping to teach a class but there's no way I'd be free to do it in May (those Saturdays are already all booked).

I would be willing to also assist, via email, anyone that is interested in teaching a class - working with them to assemble material, power point, whatever.

I'd also suggest an invitation to Merkman to see if he would be interested.
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Hmm...

[Red_Devil35]

May is iffy for me too, it depends on the weekend. But I will help out where I can!
_________________
"We never seek things for themselves-what we seek is the very seeking of things"-Pascal

[loneeagle_24]

Could this be moved to June? Hopefully the second or third week? That way you don't have to worry about Graduations and such. I am pretty busy in may as well and would like to attend an event like this again. Would be nice to see some folks again. It's been a while.
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King of the Jeff Gordon TB's!
They put that cache WHERE?

[sir_zman]

[quatch27]

YES! I was actually just thinking about something like this as I have just recently discovered GSAK and started using it. The tutorials have gotten me up and running on it. It's quite powerful and I know I am not using it anywhere near it's full potential. Attending a class and learning from seasoned users would great. In addition my girls want to start hiding caches....so this event would be perfect for a new cacher like me.

[Bunganator]

I think a class about creating Wherigo caches would be nice to have. Obviously Ruderat has one Wherigo cache published, and I just sent one in for publication. I may be willing to run through a live tutorial of some of the basics. I know there are several computer programmers out there who could probably breeze through creating one, but a live tutorial might be a nice accompaniment to the online tutorial for anyone with interest, but not much experience. Thoughts?

[sir_zman]

[topgear]

This is what I've been waiting for. Unfortunately, the last weekend in June does not work for me. I would be willing to help out with the "Hiding caches (how to, and what makes a good hide)" class if needed.

[oakwilt]

I'd be willing to help out. I feel I know a little about a lot but not enough of any one thing to be helpful to teach a class but I'd sure like to help out somewhere. Right now anytime in June is good for me.

[minnesotabrad]