Geochicks 16: Sprinting Into 2020 

The Sweet 16th year of Geochicks lands us down in Fennville, MI at Hop and Vine Inn. The inn is owned by Amber and Dan Genzink. As it turns out, Amber loves geocaching! 

Please join us for a weekend of caching, shopping, games, and/or catching up with Geochicks  both new and seasoned. The main event is on Saturday, October 24 but most meet up Friday until our goodbyes on Sunday. 

If you can’t make it for the whole weekend, then join us as a day tripper. If you’ve never been to a Geochicks event, don’t worry, you won’t be the only one, we get newbies every year! 

Who, Where, When, and What’s: 

Who:  

All Geochicks of adult age 

Where:  

Hop and Vine Inn at 2253  68th Street, Fennville, MI  49408 

269-HOP-VINE  HopandVineInn.com 

Rooms vary in price and have a one night rate and a two night rate. Check-in is 3 pm, check-out is 11am. Please allow for additional taxes. There are rooms with hot tubs but there is a $100 activation fee so be aware of that before using. If you need a roommate, please post here and/or on the Geochicks FB page and maybe someone has an extra bed. The Genzink’s have provided a detailed list of room names and rates but I haven't yet figured out how to display it here.  

When:  

October 23-25, official event is October 24 

What you need to know: 

The event starts at 9 am sharp on October 24 in the dining room. We will discuss the day and optional activities that have been organized for you. A general concept for the evening will be discussed at this time too. Be back at the Inn at 5 pm when we will start check-in of the game sheets and distribute prize tickets, fill goody bags, etc.. Pizza and salad follow shortly. Please make arrangements with Cindy aka Land Surveying Mom if you cannot make it at 9 or 5. 

The theme this year is the Olympics. 

Goody bags: 

One of the most anticipated traditions of Geochicks! I will provide a bag for everyone. The idea is that everyone put in a gift for everyone else in each bag. It can be large or small and doesn’t have to be caching related. Bags will be ready to be filled at 5 pm. Examples of goody bag items are pathtags, candles, homemade jewelry, sweets, dish clothes, firestarters; it really varies! You may use the logo for anything but a pathtag. Please make sure your item identifies who it’s from. It's for fun, please don’t stress anouy it. I usually plan on 40 but check the “will Attend” number here as the event gets closer. 

Snacks and salad sign up: 

Feel free to bring a snack to share with everyone else. I am bringing back the salad bar this year so you can sign up for toppings instead too. I’ll figure out a signup sheet later so we don’t have 14 bottles of Ranch dressing. There should be a fridge in each room and maybe a group one in the kitchen area. 

Prize table and raffle table: 

We will have a prize table set up for you to put a donated item or two to be won by every attendee. The idea is that everyone brings a gift and gets a different one. Tickets for this prize table will be handed out when you return at 5 pm.  

To offset the cost of running the event, we have gotten rid of the donation jar and have a raffle. There will be raffle tables separate from the prize table to display items donated to help support the expenses of Geochicks 2020. Raffle tickets are available Saturday at 5 pm. 100% of the proceeds go directly back to Geochicks. We have seen many awesome items such as a hand-made Geochicks quilt, hand-carved walking stick, wine and beer packages, event hat and T-shirt, pet-lovers basket, and so many other great items.  

Game: 

After the prize table and raffle table are done, there will be some organized games. This year is Olympic themed, but this won’t require cartwheels or javelin throwing. Pathtag bingo is still on hiatus. 

Trackable table: 

There will be a table available for this but I will NOT be responsible for any left on the table when the event is done.  

Dinner: 

Our dinner plans for Saturday night are pizza and salad bar. Prices and  establishment have not been determined yet but I am trying to keep it local, as is the tradition of Geochicks, so don’t think Little Caesars or Dominos. If you have special dietary needs or will not be joining us for dinner, please let me know in the morning. There will be one price for both, even if you don’t eat the salad or don’t eat the pizza. The signup and payment will be at the 9 am meeting.  

Logo: 

Laura, a Geochicks Pioneer, is creating our logo this year. THANK YOU LAURA! You may use this logo but not on a pathtag.