Welcome to First Thursdays in Columbia (FTIC)!
This is a monthly event on the first Thursday of every month in Columbia, Maryland. Everyone is welcome! We've been sharing caching stories together at this event since June 2017. We use this event to meet fellow cachers, plan trips, recommend caches, give tips, and just enjoy each other's company. This month, we will be meeting on Thursday, September 1st from 6:15PM-8:00PM, but...
...we are going to try something a little different! Based on conversations with regular attendees, and to celebrate the kick-off of CITO 2022 - Season 2, we will start the event with a neighborhood clean-up/walk. This will also be the first day attendees have a chance to earn their CITO 2022 - Season 2 Souvenior! After the CITO, there is plaza space in the Wilde Lake Village Center with tables and seating, where we can spend some time chatting. The CO will also have a raffle or something similar near the end of the event.
It is estimated that the CITO walk portion may take about an hour. Attendees can do as much of the route as they are able. Those who may need to get there late can find us enroute, or do their own clean-up. We will meet back at the Village Center (marked as a Point of Interest) afterwards.
CITO/Walk Route Details
We will meet up at 6:15PM at the posted coordinates, in the parking lot in front of the Columbia Swim Center. We will plan to start the CITO walk by 6:35PM. As for the planned route, it starts by walking south along the Wilde Lake Middle School Trail to Little Patuxent Parkway. We will make a right onto the Parkway and proceed clockwise, followed by walking a short ways on Harpers Farm Road, then to Twin Rivers Road, and back to the Village Center. The entire route takes place on paved trails/sidewalks, with ramps at each intersection that facilitate accessibility. We will not be collecting trash in the Village Center parking lot(s), as there is a company hired to clean this area regularly.
A map is shown below, with the red line representing the walking route. The total route is approximately 1.2-1.3 miles in length. The CO will provide trash bags, but attendees should bring their own water, gloves, or grabbers, if they would like to have any of them.
Post-CITO/Walk
After the clean-up and walk (estimated 7:30PM), there is an outdoor plaza in the Wilde Lake Village Center with seating were we can meet. Once finished, the CO will have a few prizes to give away this month, either by raffle or some other game yet-to-be-determined. In the Village Center there are also some local establishments where attendees can purchase food and beverages, if they so desire.
Attendees should follow all current guidelines regarding mask/face coverings to protect others, and (if applicable) practice social distancing guidelines. Let's be respectful and help keep each other feeling comfortable and safe.
Hope to see you there! (And don't worry - if you are not impressed with the CITO idea, next month we should be back to a regular Event!) 
