The Central Texas GPS Open II Event Cache

On October 16th, 2011, come on out to the...

to test your skill and your luck at...

The Central Texas GPS Open II

Be sure to read this whole page. There have been a few changes from the last GPS Open.

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.

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!

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. 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.
2. Once you place your flag, you must leave the playing field immediately.
3. Children 10-12 years old may compete if accompanied by an adult.  Children 13 years old and older may compete on their own.
4. Contestants must be present to claim their prize.
5. Taunting and trash-talking (in a family-friendly manner) is not required but is encouraged.
6. 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.
7. 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.

1. The ammo cans will be at the registration table, but everyone can play.  Please, only 1 guess per person per can.
2. 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).
3. Take 1 ticket per can.
4. Write your guess(es) on each half of the ticket(s).
5. drop one half of your ticket in the appropriate container for each can.
6. 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.

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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!

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And remember...

If you ain't havin' fun, you're doin' it wrong!

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