On October 16th, 2011, come on
out to the...
to test your skill and your luck
at...
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The Central Texas
GPS Open II |
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Be sure
to read this whole page.
There have been a few changes from the last GPS
Open. |
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We are
working on ideas for this event so be sure to
"Watchlist"
this event to stay up-to-date on the latest info!
There will be an announcement log for any significant
changes. |
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WHAT IS A "GPS OPEN"?
The GPS Open is a game we ripped off from the Shop99er events (they are SQ's brother and
sis-in-law) in the Bremerton/Port Orchard area of
Washington. They do 1 or 2 of these each year and
they've proven to be very popular and a lot of fun. The
game itself is the brainchild of that venerable cacher of The Great
Northwet, W7WT.
The game pits you and your GPS-reading skills, along with a dose
of good old-fashioned luck, against yourself, other cachers, and
SQ's ground zero placement. Don't be afraid if you're a
newbie. You'd be surprised at how some of the "experts"
fare in this game! So grab your GPS (or borrow one if
you have to) and come on out to play, eat, socialize, and have a
great time!
Take a look back at the
winners for The First Central Texas GPS Open
OK, SO HOW DOES IT WORK?
It’s easy and fun!
Just bring a GPS and a suitable entry fee prize (explained
below) for each person that is going to play. No entry
fee prize is required if you just want to attend the event.
At registration we will get your name and your entry fee
prize. You will receive coordinates and a numbered flag
and you will be directed to the game field.
If you want to register and drop off your entry fee prize but
you don't want to play yet, that's fine. We will take your info and
fee prize and give you a ticket with your number on it so you can
get your flag later when you're ready to get your game
on. I know. Why a ticket? Well, to
be honest, we are terrible at remembering names. It's
nothing personal.
The coordinates will lead you into the area where ground zero
has been pre-located. Using only your GPS and your keen
geocaching instincts (or blind dumb luck), stick the numbered flag
we gave you into the ground where you think ground zero is.
When the game is over, our crack(ed) crew will measure and
record your distance to the actual ground zero. When
that's all done we'll call names, in order from closest to furthest
from ground zero, of everyone who played. As their names
are called, contestants will come and select a prize from the prize
table. Everyone who plays WINS!
GAME SCHEDULE:
This event will take place on Sunday, October 16, 2011,
starting at 11:30 a.m., rain or shine! So check
the weather and come appropriately and adequately prepared!
11:30 am |
- Event starts. Host's welcome and socializing. |
Noon |
- Game registration and playing field open for
contestants. |
1:15 pm |
- Registration closes. |
1:30 pm |
- Game field closes, measurements and ranking starts. |
2:00 pm
(Approx) |
- Prize awarding starts. |
Score announcements and prize selection will take place as soon
as the measuring is completed, scores are ranked, and the crew can
get their collective act together.
GAME RULES:
- 1 entry fee prize (it's still below) is required for each
person. Unlike last year, only 1 play per person
this time. If 3 people in your family or group want to
play, that's 3 prizes.
- Once you place your flag, you must leave the playing field
immediately.
- Children 10-12 years old may compete if accompanied by an
adult. Children 13 years old and older may compete on
their own.
- Contestants must be present to claim their prize.
- Taunting and trash-talking (in a family-friendly manner) is not
required but is encouraged.
- Non-competing folks are not allowed on the game field while the
game is in progress and no one but game crew are allowed during
measuring.
- Semper Questio is the final authority on all game-related
questions.
CHILDREN:
Kids are welcome to the event, but in the interest of protecting
players' flags, no children under the age of 10 can compete or be
allowed on the playing field while the game is in progress and all
children 10-12 years old must be accompanied on the field by an
adult.
PETS:
Sorry, no pets please. Nuttin' against pets, this
just isn't the venue for them.
GUIDELINES FOR ENTRY FEE
PRIZES:
The ‘entry fee’ should be a caching related
item that you would be happy to take home.
The rule of thumb is that if you would use it in some
caching-related way, it will probably be fine.
Examples of suitable ‘entry fees’ would include, but
would not be limited to, unactivated geocoins or travel bug tags, a
set of 5 or more pathtags, first-aid kits, fanny packs, flash
lights, headlamps, hiking sticks, drink bottles, ready-to-hide
caches, camo tape, etc.
All items must be in new condition. Please
don’t bring used items, McToys, or dollar store
items. The only exception to the NO USED rule
would be something like surplus ammo cans or decon containers
provided they are in good, usable condition.
Please do not just grab some stuff out of your vehicle when you
get there. An auto litter bag, a couple of pens, and an
old DQ coupon just ain't gonna cut it.
The registrars will have final say on whether your ‘entry
fee’ item is satisfactory.
If you have questions about what is acceptable, please ask
before the event.
THE GOLF BALL GUESS GAME
This year there we are also having a Golf Ball Guess game in
honor of the cache swag we all know and love - the GOLF BALL!
The object of this game is to guess how many golf balls are in
the ammo cans. Whomever is closest to the correct guess
will win the ammo cans WITH the golf balls! How sweet is
that? You can win a cache and we get rid of some old
golf balls! The ammo cans are even preloaded with a log,
a pen, and some swag (other than the golf
balls). It’s a win-win!
OK, so what’s the rules? That’s easy.
- The ammo cans will be at the registration table, but everyone
can play. Please, only 1 guess per person per
can.
- No one may pick up, move, shake, measure, or touch the cans in
any way. Simply look at the cans, and make your
guess(es).
- Take 1 ticket per can.
- Write your guess(es) on each half of the ticket(s).
- drop one half of your ticket in the appropriate container for
each can.
- Go enjoy the event.
That’s it. At the end of the Open we will
announce the ticket numbers for the winners. The winners
will be determined by the Open Crew, closest guess
wins. In the event of a tie, we have a tie-breaking
procedure.
THE LAME MICRO TOSS GAME
This game is in honor of all of those drive-by, toss-out "lame"
micros everyone loves.
For this one, there will be a bunch of 35mm film cans filled
with rocks (for weight) over at the washer pits. The
objective is to compete with each other to see who can do best at
tossing these lame micros. This is a non-prize-winning,
non-monitored event just put out there for you to have some fun
with. If y'all like this game, it may just show up as a
full-on tournament at the next open!
Of course, there are some basic rules, but feel free to make up
your own. Here are ours...
- 2 players per game.
- Each player grabs 3 film cans.
- Players take turn tossing their lame micros to the hole at the
opposite end.
- After all cans are tossed, each can is scored.
- The game is over whenever the players reach a previously agreed
upon score or they just get tired of
playing. Whatever.
Scoring (Of course, you can always make up your own)...
- Any can completely in the hole scores 5 points.
- Any can partly in the hole scores 3 points.
- Any can touching the rim at all scores 2 points.
- The single can outside the hole but closest to it scores 1
point.
- Any cans beyond the single closest score 0.
- Any cans in scoring position but knocked out by a subsequent
toss by any player scores where it sits at the end of the
round.
DO WE HAVE TO PLAY THE GAMES IF WE
COME?
Of course not!
This event is open to everyone, whether you want to play the
games or not. Shoot, you don't even have to be a
geocacher! If you just want to come by and hang out with
old friends, make new friends, and get some great food, that's
fine. We'd love to see you!
LOG BOOK AND TRAVELERS
On the back deck, just to the right as you go out, there will be
a table set up with the event log book and a place for travelers
(travel bugs, geocoins, etc.).
Please stop by, sign the log, and drop or swap your
travelers.
If you take any travelers, please be sure to log them out
of the event, move them along promptly, and drop them
accordingly.
NEARBY CACHES
For your caching pleasure, I've created a Bookmark List of
about 100 of the caches nearest the event if you would like to grab
a few smilies beofre, during, or after the event.
Many special thanks to the good folks at The Good
Luck Grill for their support for geocachers, geocaching and,
particularly, this event!
Support your local businesses!
And remember...
If you ain't havin' fun, you're doin' it
wrong!