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Black River State Forest will be the home of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association's 2016 Fall Geo Picnic. The Black River State Forest is known for its 12 miles of the large and fast moving Black River as well as three miles of the Black River’s east fork. The area is also known for its unique geological formations influenced from the glaciation during the Ice Age in the state of Wisconsin. Elk were reintroduced to the Forest last August and the forest’s habitat supports the endangered Blue Karner butterfly. Located on 68,000 acres, Black River State Forest will be an ideal place to explore as we gather for another WGA Fall Picnic.
The log cabin shelter is reserved for the Picnic at the Castle Mound Campground which includes a stone fireplace, electricity, tables and an outdoor cooking grill.
GPS coordinates – accuracy within 50-100 feet
• Entrance Road to Castle Mound: N44 17.061 W090 49.681
• Castle Mound Campground: N44 16.942 W090 49.814
• Picnic Shelter: N44 16.994 W090 49.696
*** Black River State Forest requires a state park admission sticker or daily pass to enter the campground where the shelter is located. The Group Discount for Vehicle Admission will be $3 for in and out-of-state vehicles. Please state you are going to the Castle Mound Reserved Picnic Shelter with the WGA. If you plan to bike on the Bike Trails there is a trail pass required. ***
For Area Information and Lodging Contact the Black River Falls Chamber of Commerce: http://www.blackrivercountry.net/
Black River State Forest Information weblink:www.blackrivercountry.net/
Coming to the Picnic and need a WGA name tag? They are free for all WGA members but to get one, you must be a member. Good news, it is free.
Head to www-wi-geocaching.com to sign up
Already a member but need a nametag? Follow the link below to take you to the website.
WGA NAME TAG REQUEST
A WGA BOD member caching in the area has reported cell coverage may be spotty at the picnic and forest area. Cachers may want to download the area caches to GPS units ahead of time and not depend on cellphone apps for caching. Any new caches should be published a couple of days in advance of the picnic for this reason.
** WGA ON-SITE VOLUNTEERS **
Want to assist with the activities? We may need some helping hands for a few activities on the schedule. We may just ask those at the picnic for a bit of help.
EVENT SCHEDULE
• Check In/Registration . . . . . . . . 8:30 - 11:30 AM
• Park caches download by (WGA Member). . . . . 8:30 - 10:30 AM
• Nametag Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 - Noon
• WGA Merchandise Sales . . . . . . . . . .9:00 - 5:00 PM
• Meet at Shelter to find a Group to go out and Cache With . . . .9:00, 10:00, 11:00 AM
• Meet at Shelter to find a Group to go out and Cache With . . . . NOON, 1 PM, 2PM
• TB/Geocoin Exchange Table. . . . . . . . All Day
• Lawn Games - BYO Games to have available for the Group. . . . . . . . All Day
• Lunch /Grills Ready . . . . . . . . . . Noon
• PICK INFO UP AT REGISTRATION FOR ALL THE . . . . . . . . . Following Activities . . . . . 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
****** CREATIVE CACHE CONTEST - Bring a Creative Cache and Vote for your Favorite. Top Caches win a Prize.
****** GEOCACHER BINGO - Interview other Cachers throughout the day to fill out your Card; turn them in for a Prize drawing
****** POKER AND 'GO FISH' CACHING - Joker's Wild Best 5 Cards for Over 16 and GO Fishing for Pairs for those 16 and under. Prizes for best hands/cards. Draw cards to build your hard at the shelter, then go out to find more cards in caches. So either draw and "hold 'em" or go cache for more possibilities! and
****** BUY A BISON - FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE! 50 Bison Tubes will be sold at $2 each, with a prize in 5 of the Tubes for a chance to be a WINNER.
****** FINDING GZ - Use your GPS or Smart Phone to zero in on a pre-determined coordinate to test the device accuracy. Just a fun exercise to continue the conversation - Which is best a GPS or Phone? Cell coverage at the picnic site will be good. Tested with Verizon and U.S. Cellular. GPS Waypoint Averaging takes over 5 minutes to get to 100%.
****** Cookie Decorating - for BIG and LITTLE Cachers......... 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• Group Picture - Drone and Camera Shots. . . . . . . . . .4:00 PM
• WGA member meeting OPEN FORUM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:30 PM
• Attendance Prize Drawings and Contest Winners (Must be present to win!) . . . . . . . . . . . 4:45 PM
• 4th Annual 2016 Travel Bug Race Awards. . . . 5:00 PM
• 5th Annual 2017 Travel Bug Race Start . . . 5:15 PM
• Supper/Grills Ready . . . . . . . . . 5:30 - 6:30 PM
WHAT TO BRING TO THE PICNIC
• Your own meat to grill
• Table setting for you and your family
• Lawn chairs if you want them
• Beverages for your group
• A FOOD ITEM TO SHARE. To ensure variety, please bring an item to share based on yourLast name: Last name A-H: chips or snacks/ Last name I-P: cookies or dessert/ Last name Q-Z: salad, vegetable or fruit
If you would like to contribute a prize for the drawing please contact a WGA Board of Director.
Join the 5th Annual WGA Picnic to Picnic Travel Bug Race! Bring along a new travel bug or purchase a WGA Cachekinz ($7) or WGA Geocoin ($15) to enter in this year-long race. The winners will be crowned at the 2017 WGA Picnic!
The current 2016 Race is getting close to the Finish Line. http://www.tb-run.com/show-race.php?run=WGAPICNIC2015
WGA Travel Bug Race
Not a WGA Member? Joining is free. Click on the logo below to sign up.