It's A Community Celebration
And it's about time too!
Where: Fredrick Hanford Park, located at 600 26th St SW - Mason City
Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
We have the shelter house reserved until 3:00 so you're welcome to stay and tell stories as long as you like.
Or just stop by and have a dog or two, sign the log and get back to your caching. You need not stay for the entire time.
Muggle family members are welcome as well. After all, they put up with us, that is harder than a 5/5
So, what are we celebrating and why all the hoopla?
As if you didn't know.
On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight, eastern savings time, the great blue switch controlling selective availability was pressed. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade.
On May 3, an enthusiasts of gps technology, Dave Ulmer, who was also a computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" and posted it in an internet GPS users' group. The idea was simple: Hide a container out in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit.
The finder would then have to locate the container with only the use of his or her GPS receiver. The rules for the finder were simple: "Take some stuff, leave some stuff."
On May 3rd he placed his own container, a black bucket, in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland. Along with a logbook and pencil, he left various prize items including videos, books, software, and a slingshot. Also included was a can of beans. He shared the waypoint of his "stash" with the online community on sci.geo.satellite-nav: And that was the beginning of geocaching as we know today.
Today we are celebrating the beginnings of geocaching by getting together, cooking up some hot dogs, telling a few stories, and just having some fun. Besides the hot dogs and usual toppings, chips and water will be provided. If you wish to bring anything else to drink (soda or beer) it is allowed in the park. Paper plates, cups & utensils will be provided as well. In your will attend log please indicate the number in your party so we have enough hot dogs, etc. on hand.
Whoops, almost forgot, in addition to the other great food items, in honor of that first can of beans that Dave Ulmer placed in that black bucket there will be beans to go along with the hotdogs and chips.
Please bring your lawn chair, that way we can be social and distance at the same time. 
If you had too much to eat, we also have a way for you to work it off. We will be set up for volleyball. There will also be a frisbee or two for our use as well as a basketball if that is your thing. And....if you have ever been to an event that I have hosted you know that there will be a few drawings for some great geocaching items as well.
We all know what the past year and a half has been like. In China, 2020 may have been the year of the Rat, but world wide it was the year of rats, no geocaching events. Many of us had our caching trips shortened or cancelled altogether as well. This COVID thing isn't completely over yet. Face masks are not required for an outdoor event but if you feel more comfortable wearing one that's fine too. Picnic tables will be spread out to help with social distancing and hand sanitizer will be on every one. Most restrictions in Iowa have been lifted, but circumstances sometimes change. I will continue to monitor guidelines set forth from our county health department and if necessary will postpone this gathering.
A safe event is a happy event
Be Safe
Community Celebration Events - 2020
This Event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 20 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between May 2, 2020 and December 31, 2021. (Now extended to December 31, 2022) Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.