T'is the season for the annual Kelowna Christmas Micro Exchange!

When: Sunday December 15th, 2024

Time: 11am-12pm

Where: The shelter at Mission Creek Park

Come one, come all, for some festive fun, geocaching style! You can still attend the event even if you choose not to participate in the gift exchange. There will be hot drinks to keep us warm as we mingle. 

Here's how it works: For those wanting to participate, please follow these rules carefully so no one is disappointed! Put a gift of your choice into an inexpensive geocache container. Some samples of gifts could be unactivated trackables or geocoins, geocaching supplies, swag, gift cards, Christmas baking or chocolates (please make sure your container is well-sealed if you put edibles in it - it will only be there temporarily but still should be animal-proof) but should not exceed $15 in value. You may also want to include a card saying who the gift is from. Then go out and hide your gift cache somewhere in the Kelowna area, and take a set of coordinates at that location. The location should be within the Kelowna city limits, and somewhere that is reasonably accessible for most, ie. not up a tree, along a road that is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles, or in a location that requires more than a short hike. Note the difficulty and terrain of your hide - you may want to record them along with the coordinates, along with a hint and your phone number in case someone has difficulty finding your hide. Put the coordinates along with any additional info on a piece of paper and put it into a micro geocache container to bring to the event. At the event, after we have had a visit and some hot beverages, some Christmas music will start to indicate the start of the exchange. Your container will get passed around from cacher to cacher until the music stops, at which time you will hang onto the container in your hand. We will take a group photo, and then it will be off to find your Christmas treasure!

To add to the fun, feel free to wear Christmas hats, sweaters, or any other festive accessories.

A couple of points to add:

-You may only particpate in the mirco exchange if you have hidden a gift cache and come prepared with a micro container with the coordiates of your gift on a piece of paper inside.

-Gift cache placements are only temporary, and should be picked up and taken home with you once found.

-Normal Geocaching placement guidelines don't apply in relation to proximity to other caches, but please be reasonable with your placements, ie. don't place them in dangerous locations or on private property without asking permission.

-Don't forget to record the coordinates of the location your gift is hidden at.

-In the past, we had a disappointed cacher who ended up not having anyone claim the gift that they hid. Please, if you are going to participate in the exchange, pick up your gift within 24 hours of the event. People want you to find their gift! Don't make it too hard, and consider adding hints, D/T ratings, and your phone number so you can be contacted in a pinch.

-Lastly, come prepared with your Christmas spirit, and be ready to have some fun!