The Past:
On May 2, 2000, just past midnight, the U.S government discontinued its use of Selective Availability in order to make GPS more responsive to civil and commercial users worldwide. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly, the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade! Prior to this date, only the military had the ability to receive accurate GPS readings. Now, the world and all its wonderful people could pinpoint their precise location. For reasons unknown, this is often referred to as the flipping of the “Big Blue Switch”. The very next day, a computer consultant named Dave Ulmer hid a black bucket in the woods near Portland, Oregon. Along with a logbook and pencil, he left various prize items including videos, books, software, a can of beans, and a slingshot, then posted the coordinates online. Three days later, the container was located by Mike Teague. Now, twenty years later, geocaching has become a global phenomenon to get off the couch and get outside.
The Present: This is subject to change if state directives change.
Come celebrate the 20 year "switch flip" at Ben Geren Park, Pavillion #1, Fort Smith, Arkansas, on May 23, 2020, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
All geocachers that attend MUST FOLLOW THE STATE DIRECTIVE.
SEE SECOND LINK IN THE HINT SECTION.
THIS EVENT CAN BE HELD AS LONG AS THE GATHERING IS 50 PEOPLE OR LESS PER STATE DIRECTIVE. SINCE LESS THAN 25 HAVE POSTED A WILL ATTEND, WE SHOULD MEET THIS DIRECTIVE.
IN ORDER TO MEET STATE DIRECTIVES DURING COVID-19, ONLY 50 PEOPLE CAN ATTEND. WILL ATTENDS ARE REQUIRED. IF YOU HAVE POSTED A WILL ATTEND, AND WILL NOT BE ATTENDING, PLEASE DELETE YOUR WILL ATTEND.
THE EVENT WILL BE POSTPONED IF MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE POST A WILL ATTEND.
PLEASE POST THE NUMBER IN YOUR PARTY WITH YOUR WILL WILL ATTEND LOG, SO I CAN KEEP A COUNT.
FACE COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PERSONS OLDER THAN 10 YEARS OLD, PER STATE DIRECTIVE.
DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY HAS FEVER, COUGH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, SORE THROAT, OR LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL, OR IF YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY HAS HAD KNOWN EXPOSURE TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19 IN THE PAST 14 DAYS.
Several cachers in the area will be hosting Community Celebration events, so there will be multiple opportunities to collect this icon. Keep yourself and others safe. You are under no obligation to attend this event and do so under your own choice.
Schedule:
3 p.m.: Event check-in, sign the log sheet BRING YOUR OWN PEN, pick up door prize number and closest to the pin marker
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Time for trackable trading (THIS MIGHT WORK IF YOU BRING PROPER SANITIZING AGENTS), geocaching, sharing caching adventures BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE STATE DIRECTIVE ON SEATING OF 6 FEET APART. (BRING YOUR OWN LAWN CHAIR)
4 p.m.: Potluck meal (please bring a dish and a 2-liter of your favorite soda)** BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH, FOOD AND DRINK, SO THIS GATHERING WILL COMPLY WITH STATE MEETING DIRECTIVES. FEEL FREE TO EAT AT ANY TIME! YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 4 P.M. TO EAT!
4:45 p.m.: Group photo (a photo would be hard to do and meet state directives)and door prizes
5 p.m.: Event ends, but you are welcome to hang around!
There are plenty of activities at Ben Geren Park for all ages. The Fort Smith area has a variety of cache types: traditional, multi, unknown, Earthcache, Adventure Lab, 3 geo-arts within a 30 minute drive, virtual, wherigo, and letterbox hybrids. IF YOU GEOCACHE, PLEASE USE SAFE CACHING PROCEDURES.
**Hot dogs and buns, ice, and paper products will be provided.
The Future:
Get out of the house and find some geocaches! Place some geocaches for others to find! But most of all, have fun!
Community Celebration Events - 2020
This Event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 20 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between May 2, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.