Norwegian hospitality abounds at SCANDINAVIA 2025

Geocaching HQ Lackeys attend dozens of Mega and Giga-Events around the world, shaking hands, sharing stories of adventure, and of course, geocaching! imagreenplant, Senior Technical Program Manager at HQ, and his adventuring kid, Coral, recently traveled to Arendal, Norway, to attend SCANDINAVIA 2025 (GCAQ1HH).

This was my second large Event in Europe. The hosts, the fabulous and prolific Geokaperne fra Agder organization of geocachers and cache hiders, introduced me to beautiful Arendal in Norway. The hosts couldn’t be a sweeter group of people. I spotted the hosts wandering, constantly concerned that all were having a good time. They set the tone for this Event with warmth and kindness.

The main Event took place at the recently renovated community center, just up the path from a beautiful skybridge with a Virtual Cache.

Geokaperne fra Agder has placed many caches, including this lighthouse and Scandinavia GeoArt.

Hundreds of geocachers gathered to share community, caches, and of course, throw wet sponges at Protea Sangomas hiding behind a Signal the Frog® cutout board. My own child joined in by throwing a sponge! 🧽Geocachers were so engaged that Protea had to change shirts by the end.

Even Protea’s wife helped by painting the Signal cutout.

Some light hiking around the Event allowed me and others a break to enjoy the nature and views of Arendal.

The hosts created a circle of Adventure Lab® Locations around the Event.
Cachers added their names to shaped tokens and deposited them inside a laser-etched glass lighthouse design that felt like an elegant Plinko game. And of course, Signal showed up 🙂
The hosts created items to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Geocaching, including a kransekake (wreath cake) worthy of a photo op and a Locationless cache log opportunity.
I must thank Geokaperne fra Agder and all its volunteers (red hats) for such a beautiful welcome to Norway.

I also want to appreciate the wonderful community that welcomed Coral and me and made us feel at home. I look forward to many more exciting geocaching Events from these dedicated organizers. Two big Events have already been published in Scandinavia next year!

Learn more and plan your trip:
Scandinavia 2026 GCB84NE
Vikingevent 2026 GCB6GFP

Guest writer for Geocaching.com's blog