NoVAGO's Warmer Winter Event
Sunday, February 23, 2014
9 am — 12 pm (noon)
3608 N. Military Road, Arlington, Virginia
Everyone is invited to join NoVAGO in the Nature Center to share in some light snacks and drinks while you check out the exhibits - no indoor caches, though. You will be able to stay warm while you visit with fellow cachers and pick up tips on finding and hiding all types of caches. Regardless of whether you're new to geocaching, or have been at it for a while, this is an event for all to enjoy.
Outdoors, you will be able to seek a nice variety of caches at Gulf Branch and the surrounding area. Caches of all levels are available and many of them are family-friendly!
Presentations
9:30 - 10:00 Introduction to Puzzle Caches (schwandt)
10:15 - 10:45 Forum tips and tricks (obxgeek)
11:00 - 11:30 Paddlecaching (B-Sharps)
Roundtables
10:00 - 10:30 Cache Ownership Roundtable (zgrav)
10:45 - 11:15 Finda Benchmark! (derektiffany)
Other Activities
Brunch / Continental Breakfast / Snacks / Drinks
Icebreaker
Go NoVA Labs! Voting
11:30 - 12:00 Open Officer's Meeting and Spring Event Committee (officers and board)
Stop by for a quick hello, or sit and stay a while. Explore the surrounding park, or participate in the above activities. There's plenty to see and do.
The Nature Center will be closed to the general public during this event. It's a great opportunity to explore the exhibits and the area with other geocachers.
Personal Items
As the Nature Center will be opening to the public after the event, please retrieve anything that you wish to by 12:00 (noon). This includes personal items and any dishes or containers. We can not ensure these items will be left undisturbed after the conclusion of the event. Thanks.
Parking
Please note the parking coordinates and take advantage of parking along Military Road or North 36th Street. The gate into the parking lot for the Nature Center will be closed. Contact NoVAGO via the link on our profile page if you have special parking needs.
Informational sessions, workshops, and roundtables
Several local cachers have volunteered to share some insights, tips, and experience in areas of expertise. Join in as we learn and hear about: Introduction to Puzzle Caches, Geopaddling, Cache Ownership (Roundtable), Benchmarks, NoVAGO forum tips and tricks, and more. There will also be an open officers meeting and Spring Event Committee Meeting for those looking to the future! See above for a more detailed schedule.
Other activities
Rumor has it that a member or two may make their I <3 Geocaching Lab Cache available at the event. Voting in the Go NoVA Labs project will be open.
There will be a Naturalist on site from the center who can discuss and answer questions about flora/fauna, the building, care and feeding of the on-site animals, and geocaching from a Naturalist's perspective.
Potluck continental breakfast / light brunch and snacks
An area will be set up where we can socialize with a snack or two throughout the course of the morning. This will be an (optional) potluck event, so please post the dish you'll be bringing in your "Will Attend" log. We'll keep a master list of who is bringing what, right here on the NoVAGO forums. No already prepared pastry, fruit, snack, or drink will be turned away (no cooking can be done on-site). All food is welcome! Mmm!
Please note that all food and drink must stay in the one room where it is set up. Thank you for your cooperation!
Think green - Use of recyclables and reusables is encouraged and appreciated.
A note on trackables
Before leaving without a trackable you came with, please check with the person who intends to pick it up from the event. Conversely, before leaving with a trackable you didn't bring, please check with the person who's dropping it off. Any trackables still in inventory after two weeks (March 10) will regrettably be marked as missing by the CO. Thanks.