Oh My! How You've Grown !

I bet that is what Little Red Riding Hood is saying right about now.

Check this out -

Yuma Event #9 in 2012 - 460 attended
Yuma Mega Event #10 in 2012 - over 900 to date.



How is this happening?  I wonder.  I would be willing to bet that there will be Geocaching event organizers from all over the United States, calling S*W*A*G* / Robert McNeese for tips on how to have a really successful event.

Here's my question - really - how did this happen?

I am wondering if I can get a show of hands.


How many newbies ( as in never attended the Yuma events ) are coming to the event because it became a Mega Event?

How many attendees are bringing family and friends who have never been to this event in the past?  After all, it is very much a family friendly event.

Here is a big question - how many are attending because SchnauzerQueen will be hosting the chicken dance?  (I know of a few that can't wait for that one)

And last but not least - who is going to show up in an attempt to win the farthest traveled prize?


Answer/comment if you like.  I am totally serious when I say that I would like to know.

A little bit of info here -
This is the first ever Mega Geocaching event in Arizona.  Nevada has never had a Mega event, but does have one planned later this year.  And, as large as California is, it has only had two Mega events.

Any surprise that Robert McNeese is walking around with that 'proud as can be' smile on his face?

Yuma Mega Event # 10 Up Date on Events

S*W*A*G* & Jeep'en Jumpers are gonna do it again.  They are going to pull of another very successful event.  Not just an event, but a MEGA EVENT.   Arizona's very first Mega.

Yuma Mega Event # 10 ( GC3NGQQ ) will take place in Yuma Arizona the weekend of February 10, 2013.  The attendance, at this point, is about double the total of last year's event and it isn't just a quirk, it has taken years of hard work to get this event to the current status.  I asked Robert McNeece what he attributed the success to and his answer was "When GC put's out their mailing list each week we just get hit with more people. Have not other reason so that must be it."  And the fact that this is the very first Mega in Arizona is a huge draw.

Here's how the weekend events are rounding out, as of today -

Friday, February 8 - Geocaching Challenge Day with 10 new caches.
3 new night caches; they say to bring  your flashlights and batteries.  I say to bring your jackets too; those desert nights can get pretty chilly.
At 6 pm - the Warm Up Before The Warm Up ( GC43VZG ), brought to you by 'Just Hike'.

Saturday - 2:30 kicks off the days events with Flash Mob Chicken Dance; in years past, this was done as a Bubble Flash Mob but it is changin' up.  Rumor has it that SchnauzerQueen may be heading up this group.  Guaranteed that the photos will be more fun then they were in the past.

3 pm will be the official Meet and Greet ( GC41MVJ ) at a different location.  As much fun as it was down town before, this group has grown and just needs more room.  You will love this place for sure.  Sweet sports bar type atmosphere with plenty of choices for food and drink.  Bring you cash; this night is on you.

Sunday - starts at Gateway Park at 9 am with games and challenges, including the Poker Run, Find Your G Spot (hummm, i will have to research this one and do a post on it), a CITO challenge with prizes, and a little dexterity game.  There's the 50/50 Raffle, Geocoin Show and swap, travel bug view and discover, and a ton of drawings for sure.

Noon - The free tri tip BBQ will be served.  Bring your own beverages. Just wondering - how many cows will it take to feed this group?  Wondering also - did Robert McNeece have a clue what he was getting himself into this year?
1 pm  the drawings and prize routine will begin.
1:30 will be the beginning of the CITO Event  ( GC42K33 )

Well, that covers it for now.  If that isn't enough for you, then come up with another event to add to all this and check with Robert to see if it fits in.  Ya still got time! 

I have some questions but that will be in the next post about the Yuma Mega Event #10 post, in a couple of days. 

Cachers Freezing In Yuma, Arizona

     Weather for Yuma, Arizona, August 5, 2012 - High 109 degrees; Low 82 degrees.  So just how do we have cachers freezing?   Thanks to S*W*A*G*'s Robert McNeece, there was some relief from the heat.





    The McNeece family invited the Sub-Zero Bear into their home.

Sub Zero Bear hung out over on 4th Ave, made friends and did photos with a smile.

And then the details of the Bear's visit came out.  Not a random visit at all.  This is the beginning of the Sub Zero In Yuma Flash Mob!

Here's how it is to go -

It's cold here, so cold were going to have a contest who can take minus 15 degrees the longest.

 Winner gets a nice GeoCoin donated by Jeep'en Jumpers.

Others might just want to have their picture taken with a Polar Bear and move on to warmer weather.

If you wish to be part of the contest it's summer attire only!

 

The temps were lowered in the man cave and the ice began to form.

 Believe it or not, contestants entered the cave.  This is the inside looking out.  

Some were smart enough to stick to the outside looking in.  Kids today are pretty darn smart. 

 

Top two contestants - Cacheator & Bronco Busters, lasting 32 minutes and 54 seconds!  These guys must have formed an alliance and stuck together.  

Linda Fulmer also lasted over 30 minutes.  And ya gotta figure she knew that someone had to give in - - 

     Robert McNeece said that there were no whiners and that he may just make this a yearly event.  The way he does things, I think he will need to find a much larger freezer by next year. 

     Congrats to all the participants who braved the cold.  I bet you all are back next year and ready to last even longer.   Can you see how the prep for the event would happen.  All over town, there will be people hanging out at the freezer department at the local grocery stores.  And all thanks to S*W*A*G* and Jeepen'Jumpers.