The first Hatch Fun Geocaching Event was held last year on August 1st at the Hatch Run Conservation Demonstration Area (HRCDA) located near Warren, PA. The HRCDA is a 350 acre property owned by the Warren County Conservation District that we planned to use (with their permission) to create a new work of geoart annually. The actual artwork and theme was supposed to change from year to year and the caches would all published either the day before the event or the day of the event. The caches were to remain active for an entire year, but were supposed be archived on the eve of the next event and replaced by a new set of caches designed to create a new work of geoart. Well, the plan has changed somewhat based on the feedback we are getting from fellow geocachers. It seems that many folks have asked for more time to complete the Native American paddling the canoe artwork, and many have voiced their opinion that it was too much work to create and too nice to tear down after only one year. So we have agreed that we will keep it up for an additional year to give folks more time to finish it.
However, to reward the folks that have actually completed it, we are working on a new smaller piece of geo-artwork that will be unveiled at this year’s event. It will not be in the same location as last years artwork, but it will be within reasonably close driving distance from the event.
Join us at the HRCDA education center for the fun any time from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday October 8, 2016. The event will include a variety of activities including geocaching (of course), travel bug exchange, educational sessions, and opportunities to go home with some great swag. You will have your choice of working on the 2015 or 2016 geo-artwork.
There is no cost to attend the event or find any of the geocaches, however, there will be a cost for any of the optional event activities that you may be interested in purchasing for your convenience and enjoyment. The new work of Geo-art is presently being constructed, and coordinates for the caches will not be published until the day of the event, but we can state that the 2015 artwork is comprised of 136 mystery caches depicting a Native American paddling a canoe on the Conewango Creek. Last year’s theme was selected to honor the past history of the region as well as acknowledge the designation of the Conewango Creek as the 2015 PA River of The Year.
Similar to last year, the new work of art will involve solving one easy puzzle that will allow you to decipher the missing coordinates for all the new mystery caches, but this year’s artwork will be a smaller piece of art, so it may be possible to finish it in one day or one weekend.. There will be a mixture of cache hides both in difficulty and terrain. Some will be considered easy park and grab caches, while others may require significant hiking on foot over varied terrain. The new artwork will also be available for at least one full year, so it is not necessary to complete it in one day or maybe not even in one weekend trip. One thing is for sure, the new geo-artwork project will be providing a lot of caching opportunities in the Warren area and the event will provide an opportunity for you to meet with and socialize with many old and hopefully some new caching friends. Stay tuned to this event page for more information as the event date gets closer.