A few IGO members planned to attend the WGA (Wisconsin Geocachers Assoc.) annual campout this year but can't make it due to prior commitments. So, why should the WGA have all the fun anyway...let's have our own!
The first ever "IGO Camping" event will be June 3-4, 2005, at Otter Creek Lake (a Tama County park) about 5 miles NE of Toledo, Iowa. You need not camp in the park to partake in most of the activities...but please join us and camp if you can.
| There is some limited information regarding the park at the Tama County Conservation Board site...http://www.tamacounty.org/conserv.html. To learn more about IGO (Iowa Geocachers Organization) please visit our web site at http://iowageocachers.org and watch the forums there for discussion about this event and others. |
What you need to participate:
- Please drop us a note here to let us know your arrival time, camping gear or rig (if you plan to camp), how many in your party, drop off travel bugs, etc.
- It's bring-you-own-beverages and meat all weekend. We'll supply some hot grills and cold coolers on Saturday afternoon/evening as well as paper plates, napkins, eating utensils, paper cups, etc.
- Bring a dish to share Saturday per the following guide:
- Last name A-H: Chips, pretzels, and/or snacks
- Last name I-Q: Salad, fruit, and/or vegetables
- Last name R-Z: Dessert
- A GPS (or two), batteries and a flashlight (if you want to try the Night Caches).
- Otter Creek has some fairly steep hills and by early June the skeeters will be out. Bring a walking stick if you have one and plenty of mosquito repellent. You can drive to within a few hundred yards of all points in the park so if you're not into climbing hills don't worry. Bicycles are welcome in the park but there are no paved trails and mostly gravel roads so plan accordingly. ATV's are NOT permitted.
The preliminary event schedule is:
Friday Afternoon/Evening, June 3 - Campers arrive and setup.
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Camping Info: |
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There are four areas on the east side of the lake with electric campsites (about 65 sites total). Another set of tent and pop-up only sites is available on the west side of the lake. All sites are self-registration with no advance booking.
Arrive early if you can! If you plan to camp please let us know (post a note here) when you plan to arrive and if you will be in a tent, pop-up, motorhome or trailer. Each RV can be accompanied by a tent but we have to strike a balance so we need to know up front if possible. |
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We cannot guarantee that everyone will be able to camp in the same area but with some coordination here we can give it our best shot. Once we get an idea who's coming to camp (and how many) we can select one of the areas to shoot for. |
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Updated 6/1/05... We will probably aim to camp in the north loop near the lake shore (end of the road on the east side of the lake). This loop is down and out of the wind with nice level spots for tents. In this area each tent must be adjacent to an RV and must NOT encroach on another campsite. |
Friday Night, June 3 - We'll plan an informal campfire gathering and probably a night cache (using reflectors and flashlights) for anyone with energy enough to try it. If you find the campfire this evening you can "register" (sign our waiver, etc.) and get information about temporary caches hidden in the park for this event (yes, there will be some...certainly more than a few).
Saturday Morning, June 4 - At 8:30 AM a visiting Boy Scout Troop has been invited to the shelter for some instruction in the use of GPS and geocaching. Everyone is welcome to attend this informative session and learn more about geocaching OR help instruct the "rookies". N42 02.716, W092 31.392 are the coordinates at this shelter.
Saturday Morning, June 4 - At 10:00 AM cachers who did not register on Friday night can do so at the shelter atop the hill on the west side of the lake at N42 02.716, W092 31.392 (the posted event coordinates). This will be the headquarters for the event on Saturday.
Saturday Morning/Afternoon, June 4 - Hunt all the caches that you like in the park or hang out at the shelter to learn some new tricks (???) or just chew the fat. This is not a competition so relax and enjoy the day.
Saturday Afternoon/Evening, June 4 - About 4:30 PM on Saturday we will fire up the grills so that by 5:00 PM you can cook up whatever you have for our potluck supper.
Saturday Night, June 4 - Another informal campfire gathering at the shelter or back at the campground (depending on numbers) and probably a 2nd night cache to wrap up the weekend.