Canadiana/Begging Bear is the most well-known of the sculptures at the Donald Forster Sculpture Park. Its prominent location at a bus stop in front of the Art Gallery of Guelph means that most Guelph residents are familiar with it. The bronze bear, created by Carl Skelton and installed in 1999, is described by the University of Guelph as "an artistic metaphor for our native animals’ need for protection and our encroachment on the environment". The bear has become beloved by locals who often dress it up or decorate it to promote local events or causes. This is usually done without damaging the statue, although in 2011 the bear was knocked over and a community fundraising campaign helped pay for repairs. This virtual will serve as a digital photographic record of the Begging Bear, and will introduce you to several other sculptures in the park. I have added some photos myself and may add more if I spot the bear wearing something fun. More information about the sculptures in the park can be found on the Art Gallery of Guelph website. The sculpture park is free to visit, and I have added a parking waypoint for your convenience.
Logging Requirements for this Virtual Cache:
1. Take a photo of the Begging Bear and post it with your log. Optional: I'd love it finders could add the date in the description field of the photo (YYYY-MMM-DD format preferred) so that a record is kept of the different costumes/decorations that the bear has worn over time.
2. To prove that you visited, take a photo of yourself that clearly includes any one of the other sculptures (not the Begging Bear) from the sculpture park in it. If you do not wish to show your face, you can give a thumbs up or hold a piece of paper with your caching name on it in the photo. Post this photo with your log.
3. Waypoint 1: Artifacts of Invention is a 30-foot long dining table made with pieces of reclaimed brass. It is very pretty in the summer when roses grow around and through the art piece. At the southwest end of the table there is a piece of brass that says ‘Elevator No. 2’. What is the maximum capacity of the elevator? Please message me this value (do not post it in your log).
4. Waypoint 2: Pioneer Family is made from scrap metals and repurposed farming tools. One of the four figures is carrying a toy horse with wheels. One of the pieces of metal that make up the toy horse has a 5-character serial number (a W followed by four numbers) on it. Please message me the serial number (do not post it in your log).
5. Waypoint 3: Stray Plow is a motorboat leaving behind waves in the grass as it passes. Take a look at the outboard motor to determine how many hp it has. Please message me this value (do not post it in your log).
6. Waypoint 4: Camp is set up with bronze logs and a fire, shoes, a coffee pot, and a bed roll. What object is tucked into the bedroll? Please message me the name of the object (do not post it in your log).
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.