RGV Geocachers Game ON for 2021! Event Cache

RGV Geocachers say, "Game ON for 2021!"

Date: January 14, 2021

Check In Time: 10:45-11:00

Event Time: Event Activities - 11:00 - 1:00

Clean-Up Time: 11:00 - 11:15

McAllen Nature Trail 4101 West US-83 BUS, McAllen, Texas

Parking is located as you enter the property from US BUS 83.

Handicap Accessibility - You may be driven down to the event area but your car and driver will be required to return to the top parking area and driver walk down to the event. Driver may return with car to pick you up.

1st Trail Head Coordinates - Nature Center Office - ALL Visitors must check in for Park Usage records

NO bicycles or dogs allowed in this park except Service dogs

COVID Precautions will be followed per General CDC Event Guidelines as well as CDC Guidelines for Parks and Recreation Areas.

Wear masks, maintain social distancing within your natural or chosen groups of 2 to 3 people, as well as between groups. (If you arrive in same vehicle you’re a natural group). Activities will be scheduled to allow more ease of social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available and whenever possible, items required for the event will be single use only.

Games, Refreshments and Prizes!!!

Please indicate in your "Will Attend" log which games you want to play and whether you will play as an individual or as a group. Groups are limited to maximum of 3 people.

The 3 Games are: 1. GPS Accuracy, 2. SMART Device Accuracy and 3. Seek & Find Field Puzzles

Event Pavilion Reference Point: Covered Pavilion on your left as you walk down from the ofice. Location of: Event log book, Raffle Tickets, snacks, water, Game registration and supplies and trash bags.

Several picnic tables are located further down under the shady umbrella of a giant tree on your left.

Event 1: 11:00 - 11:25 Accuracy Challenge (2 Categories) Enter either or both categories.

1. GPS Accuracy - Hand held GPS devices ONLY
   • GPS Reference Point - GZ Coords for the GPS Accuracy Zone
   • Place a flag at YOUR determined GZ in the GPS Zone
   • GPS Flag colors RED ONLY playing GPS or YELLOW playing BOTH             
2. Smart Device Accuracy - Cell Phones or similar SMART Devices ONLY
   • SMART Reference Point - GZ Coords the SMART Device Accuracy Zone
   • Place a flag at YOUR determined GZ in the SMART Zone
   • SMART Flag colors BLUE ONLY playing SMART Device or GREEN playing BOTH

Event 2: 11:35 - 12:25 Seek & Find Field Puzzles (4 Puzzles) Play as an individual or group of  1-3

1. 2 solve for a solution puzzles
   • Solve the puzzle
   • Write your answer on your challenge card                                            
2. 2 seek and find puzzles
   • Read the information
   • Look for the item you need
   • Collect a sample item and place it in your challenge bag

2nd Trail Head Coordinates - Seek and Find Starting Point - Public restrooms nearby

1 challenge bag per individual or group which contains:

1. Seek and Find Instruction Sheet
2. Stage 1 Coordinates Envelope
3. 1 Challenge Index Card for Answers (Identify by Stage #)
4. Name Tag – write player(s) name(s) on tag and put on bag.
5. 1 #2 Mechanical Pencil with Eraser
6. 2 Individually wrapped Hand Sanitizer wipes
7. Zip Lock Baggie holds supplies - remove items then use for trash/used handiwipes, etc.
8. 5 Minutes between start times
9. Use a steady walking pace – this is NOT a race
10. MUST STAY BEHIND the individual(s) or group(s) ahead
11. MUST MANAGE TIME at each station
12. If a player or group approaches –  2 minutes left then move on to the next stage

Stage Road Signs –

1. Positioned approximately 30-60 feet before GZ
2. Contain information that MIGHT help with the stage requirements
3. Attached Challenge Bag with Next Stage Coordinate Envelopes
   1. Take ONE envelope
   2. Open ONLY AFTER completing the current stage

There will be a 5 minute delay between contestant/group start times to prevent crowding and for social distancing. For COVID, groups are limited to a maximum of 3 members, recommended to wear masks if less than 6' apart and use social distancing as much as possible.

When each contestant or group crosses the finish line, their time will be recorded and bag collected to check for accuracy of objects and solutions to the field puzzles.

Refreshments, Awards and Prizes: 12:30 – 1:00

1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes for each of the 3 games.

Refreshments will be small bottled waters and individually wrapped snacks.

12:50 – 1:00  Everyone help to clean up and pack out.