Author: Paige Edmiston

Paige (ThePaigeTurner) is a Marketing Specialist at Geocaching HQ. She likes books.
/ Paige Edmiston /

Geocaching HQ joins in the Maker Madness

MM group of HQ staff
Celebrating Maker Madness – Geocaching HQ style.

By: Maria McDonald

The Seattle geocaching community came through strong with over  100 attendees at the recent Maker Madness event hosted by Geocaching HQ. This HQ sponsored event added to the 970 other Maker events spanning more than 50 countries around the world to celebrate something truly special – the amazing ingenuity of our geocache makers! Here’s a quick re-cap on the HQ Maker Madness event in Seattle.

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A geocacher admires one of Goblindust’s many mysterious creations.

The event kicked off with a quick hello and welcome from Geocaching.com Founders Jeremy Irish and Bryan Roth, who were then followed by nine enthusiastic speakers (including six of our very own HQ staff!) covering a wide range of hider and maker related topics. The presentations included a little something for everyone so that attendees, ranging from potential first time hiders to experienced (and seriously creative!) makers, all got a little taste of the maker magic. We learned about the importance of good coordinates, DIY camouflage (blending yogurt and moss gets you a natural looking fake rock moss coverage… who knew?), how to silence your inner creative critic so your making senses can burst forth and create, and more.

Following the presentations geocachers explored an exhibition highlighting local makers and their most creative caches. Geocachers were able to ask the makers questions and examine all the moving parts on some very unique cache containers.

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Geocaching HQ’er and geocache (and swag!) creator Captain “Wrong Way” Bill of the SalemPirates shows off his Maker Madness pride.

Curiosity reigned and the enthusiasm was palpable. When I asked how specific caches were chosen for today’s exhibition, Mr. Gadget#2’s wife responded, “He ended up bringing them all. Asking him to chose between his caches would be like asking him to choose which child he likes best.” It is this type of dedication and pride in making great geocaches that elevates the game for us all and makes getting to know other geocachers so much fun.

At the end of the afternoon, happy geocachers and  HQ’ers had done what we all do best at events – joined together for a great afternoon of creating memories, sharing stories and inspiring our beloved game to new heights.

My fellow HQ’ers and I all hope that, no matter where or how you celebrated Maker Madness, you now feel a renewed sense of curiosity and creativity, and that you’ve seen the geocache maker inside of you…  now go forth and create!

Editor’s Note: Maria McDonald is Geocaching HQ’s Office Manager. She’s also an avid geocacher, and geocaches under the username AKprincesswarrior.

 

MM kens daughter with saw
Go Forth and Create!

How did you celebrate Maker Madness? Tell us about the event you attended in the comments below.

/ Paige Edmiston

Makers’ Secrets Revealed: Blueprints for 3 Amazing Geocache Hides

3 Amazing DIY Geocache Hides Revealed

 

Geocachers who attended one (or more!) of the 900+ events held around the world during Maker Madness, gained a glimpse into the inner-workings of the crazy-creative minds of geocache makers. They learned how to make clever hides, like camouflaging a container to look like a rock or tree or set up the ultimate Multi-Cache.

A few of these great geocaching minds agreed to share the secret sauce behind their coolest creations with us. So yeah, please DO try these at home.

Fogg working on "Geocache on the Rocks"
Fogg working on “Geocache on the Rocks”

Geocache on the Rocks by Fogg

fogg is a geocacher from Schallstadt, Germany known for his ingenious hides. To make Geocache on the Rocks, Fogg utilized a little thing called “physical computing.” Take a look at what geocachers have to say about this geocache:

rabbitredux: TFTC! What a truly amazing cache. I have never seen anything like it before!

BiblioMo: I thought I’d seen it all in Geocaching until today. WP1 was extremely cool and ingenious.

Check out these step-by-step instructions to recreate your own Geocache on the Rocks.

Click for a PDF of Geocache on the Rocks
Click for a PDF of Geocache on the Rocks

 

 

A SHOCKING Cache by WVTim

WVTim is a geocacher from West Virginia who has racked up an impressive 5100 Favorite Points. He’s known for his gadget style hides, like a SHOCKING Cache. Here’s what geocachers are saying:

smitfam4: Another clever cache, my kids don’t understand how you come up with these ideas.

Steve105: Thanks for the shocking experience.

Check out these step-by-step instructions to recreate your own SHOCKING Cache.

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Click to see a PDF on how to build A SHOCKING Geocache

 

Schrader’s Ode to Dayspring by Herr Potter

Herr Potter is the local, Seattle geocacher featured in Geocaching’s video Thank You to the Geocache Hiders. As its name implies, his geocache Schrader’s Ode to Dayspring was inspired by another awesome Seattle hider, Dayspring, and his Totally Tubular geocache series. Read what geocachers are saying:

wants to fly: Very nicely done. Impressive workmanship.

benandjayme: What a fantastically fun idea for a cache! We had a great time retrieving the cache with our co-workers. There was dancing, singing, worm admiring, and log signing! Thanks for bringing us here and sharing your creativity!

Check out these step-by-step instructions to recreate your own Schrader’s Ode to Dayspring.

Click to see a PDF of "Schrader's Ode to Dayspring"
Click to see a PDF of “Schrader’s Ode to Dayspring

 

Share your ideas for inspirational geocaches in comments below!

/ Paige Edmiston /

Maker Madness Event Center

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Click on the map to find a Maker Madness event near you!

Whether you’re a Social Butterfly or a Nature Lover, a Stats Geek, Traveler, or Puzzler (take the quiz and find out your geocacher type), it’s time to say thank you to a geocache maker near you. From March 28 – April 7, geocachers around the world will join together to celebrate the people in their community who make geocaching possible. We call this celebration Maker Madness.

Every geocacher who logs an “Attended” at a registered Maker Madness event will earn a Maker Madness souvenir.

Take a look at these tips for hosting an event that will have your guests inspired to go forth and create their own magical geocaching experiences:

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Maker Madness Souvenir Image

1.) Think ahead. The best geocaches are not just thrown together willy- nilly.  They are a labor of love that take time and careful planning. The same should apply to your Geocaching Event. Do you need to make reservations for a venue? Do your guests need to bring their own creative supplies? Keep in mind that you have to submit your Geocaching Event at least 14 days prior to your Maker Madness celebration, which means that Monday, March 24th is the cut off date for your online submission. You will also want to submit the Maker Madness registration form as soon as your event is published.

2.) Think collaboration. Geocaches are a gift to the community. It’s time to get the community together to give back to those who make geocaching tick. To maximize the number of geocachers at your event, check to see if there is already another event published in your area. If there’s already an event, be a team player! See if you can help the event host with planning their event.

3.) Think education and inspiration. Are you an accomplished geocache maker? This is your chance to share your mad skills and big brain with your fellow geocachers. Incorporate a class or workshop into your event to show others how you implemented your best creations, or teach them the very basics of geocache making. Imagine what it would be like if every one of your guests walked out of your event inspired to make their own awesome creation. Imagine all of the cool, new geocaches to find!

4.) Think celebration.  We heart geocache makers and we know that their local (and world) communities do too. If you yourself are not a maker, this is your chance to celebrate your favorites! Organize an event to show your appreciation, showcase their geocaches, and maybe even ask them to share a few of their best tips and tricks with all of their fans who attend the event.

We hope that these tips will help you to spread your creative geocaching juices, inspire a new generation of awesome hiders, honor your favorite makers, and (let’s hold nothing back) make your event the very best Maker Madness bash ever.

A few things to remember:

  • Dates: March 28 – April 7
  • Don’t forget to register your event after it has been published by a reviewer. Events that are not registered will not qualify for a souvenir.
  • You can check to see if your event or an event you are attending has been officially registered here.
  • Share photos and stories from your event with us on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.
  • And don’t worry – special Maker Madness GeoCoins, Tags, Trackable Patches, and T-shirts coming soon to Shop Geocaching!
/ Paige Edmiston

Registrierungsanleitung für Deinen “Maker Madness” Event

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Einen tollen Geocache zu finden, kann sich wie ein richtiges Abenteuer anfühlen. Solche besonderen Geocaches sprießen jedoch nicht von selbst aus dem Boden, sondern gedeihen im brillianten Geist eines Geocaching-Machers oder einer Macherin. Was Geocaching ausmacht, sind ebenjene Geocacher und Geocacherinnen, die ihre Kreativität und ihren Erfindungsgeist in tolle Erlebnisse für andere verwandeln.

Vom 28. März bis zum 7. April können Geocacher aus aller Welt zusammenkommen und diejenigen in der Gemeinschaft feiern, die Geocaching möglich machen. Wir nennen diese Feier “Maker Madness”.

Alle Geocache-Macher, Macherinnen und Leute, die ihre Lieblings-Macher und Macherinnen feiern wollen, können einen Event organisieren und die nächste Generation an Geocache-Machern inspirieren. Jeder, der sein “Attended” bei einem registrierten “Maker Madness” Event loggt, erhält ein “Maker Madness” Souvenir.

Wie kann ich meinen Event registrieren?:

1. Finde Inspirationen und Tipps, wie Du einen erfolgreichen Event organisieren kannst, in diesem Artikel.

2. Reiche Deinen Geocache hier ein. Der Titel und die Beschreibung für Deinen Event sollten mit der zur “Maker Madness” beitragen. Events müssen mindestens 14 Tage vor dem Event-Datum eingereicht werden. Es kann bis zu 10 Tagen dauern, bis Dein Event überprüft wird. Der Event muß zwischen dem 28. März und 7. April stattfinden, um sich für ein Souvenir zu qualifizieren.

3. Sobald Dein Event von Deinem freiwilligen Reviewer freigegeben wurde….

4. …Fülle dieses Formular aus.

5. Überprüfe in dieser Liste, ob Dein Event erfolgreich registriert ist. (Es kann 3-5 Tage dauern, bis Dein Event hier erscheint.) Anmerkung: Events, die nicht im Geiste der “Maker Madness” organisiert sind, qualifzieren sich möglicherweise nicht für ein Souvenir.

6. Drucke das offizielle PDF Zertifikat für die Gäste Deines “Maker Madness” Events aus.

7. Hab’ Spaß und teile Deine Fotos und Anekdoten von Deinem Event mit uns bei Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest und in den Kommentaren hier.

 

/ Paige Edmiston /

Maker Madness: How to Register Your Event

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Finding a great geocache can make for an awe-inspiring adventure, but those adventures do not magically appear on their own. They are concocted inside the brilliant mind of a Geocache Maker. This crazy thing we call geocaching would simply not exist without the people who channel their creativity and innovative spirit into making great experiences for others.

From March 28 – April 7, geocachers around the world will join together to celebrate the people in their community who make geocaching possible. We call this celebration Maker Madness.

We’re calling all Geocache Makers (and folks who want to celebrate their favorite Makers) to host events to celebrate geocache creation and to inspire the next generation of geocache makers. Anyone who logs an “Attended” at a registered Maker Madness event will earn a Maker Madness souvenir.

How to Register Your Event:

  1. Check out this blog post for ideas on how to host a magnificent Maker Madness event.

  2. Submit a geocaching event for publication. Make sure that it is clear in your event’s title and description that this event is part of the Maker Madness celebration. Events must be submitted at least 14 days prior to your event date. Late submissions will not be eligible for a souvenir. Events must take place between March 28 and April 7 to qualify for the souvenir.

  3. Wait for your event to be published by a geocaching community volunteer. It can take up to ten days for your event to be reviewed. Once that happens…

  4. Fill out this web form.

  5. Check out this bookmark list to see if your event has been successfully registered. It may take 3-5 days for your event to be added to this list. Note: Events that are not in the spirit of Maker Madness may not be eligible for this souvenir.

  6. Print out this official PDF completion certificate for guests who attend your Maker Madness event.

  7. Have a great time and then share photos and stories from your event with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and in the comments below!

Interested in attending an event? Check out this bookmark list to find Maker Madness events near you.