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Why is this the last geocaching block party?


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Here's a quote from a post from a Lackey:

 

"The truth is we know we want to change things up and have the opportunity to focus on other ideas and projects. Block Party was not intended to be a “forever” event. It started in 2010 as the Lost & Found event and we realized that we liked the idea and wanted it to continue. Since this is our 15th anniversary, it was a good opportunity to end the event on a high note. What exactly comes next (e.g. fill in the blank with one of the speculations) hasn't been decided and may not be for some time."

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Hey is it true that they may have changed their mind about this being the last Block Party?
This is the first I've heard of it. But strictly speaking, "They may have changed their mind about [whatever]" could be considered true, no matter what the [whatever] is.
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Some of us think that Garmin is in the process of buying out Groundspeak and relocating the HQ. Let's face it, geocaching is on the decline and we have had a good 15 year run with this GPS fun. Other games played on smart phones have appeared, and geocaching here has stagnated, the last new thing to happen was a hold on Challenge caches. It all looks to me like a corperate buy out in process. :ph34r:

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Some of us think that Garmin is in the process of buying out Groundspeak and relocating the HQ. Let's face it, geocaching is on the decline and we have had a good 15 year run with this GPS fun. Other games played on smart phones have appeared, and geocaching here has stagnated, the last new thing to happen was a hold on Challenge caches. It all looks to me like a corperate buy out in process. :ph34r:

 

Maybe it will be Delorme and the next geocaching block party will be in (Yarmouth) Maine. tired.gif

 

 

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Manville Possum Hunters, you've already been slapped in another thread about the silly speculation regarding Garmin. Don't drag that into this thread, which is about Block Party and any successor plans. In fact, don't drag that silliness to take any other discussions off topic.

 

Back on topic, it's my personal hope that some of the Block Party budget (which must have been quite large) is used to expand the program for sending even more Lackeys to even more regional events. Not everyone is able to travel to Seattle for Block Party. But, when a Lackey attends a regional event in the Czech Republic, Florida or New Zealand, it puts a personal face on Geocaching HQ. I've been to several such regional events and I've seen many people enjoy the chance to converse with the "Lackey Ambassador."

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...Let's face it, geocaching is on the decline and we have had a good 15 year run with this GPS fun. Other games played on smart phones have appeared, and geocaching here has stagnated...

 

Cut for clarity, emphasis added by moi.

 

Decline? Not hardly. I think something like 20-30 caches a week are approved in my area. This does not count the next state south or east. Perhaps your interest is on the decline.

 

Perhaps caching has gone stagnant in Virginia/Tennessee, but it seems to be going great guns up here in the Northwest.

 

BOT, when I asked a couple of Lackeys at the BP about it being the last one, I got the same answer as in June. That Groundspeak wanted to see more regional events similar to the BP. They realized that not everyone can or even wants to go to Seattle, and hope that this will be a better way to observe International Geocaching Day. And yes, they would like to have Lackeys at these things.

 

Dunno if this is the no-s(%t plan, but I'm gonna assume it is.

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Geocaching on the decline? Are you serious, I have seen a boom in Geocaches hidden. Granted I am a newbie in the whole 15 year history, but I fail to see how geocaching is on the decline. I have seen more events, more caching, and a higher interest than I have in my first year.

 

I can really agree with this post.

 

When we first started caching, the local map was pretty empty. Heck even 75 - 100 kms away, there weren't many caches or cachers.

 

But "now" it's a smorgasbord. Perhaps too much of a smorgasbord, some would say.

 

It's not just the number of caches that have exploded, but the different types of caches. There are even puzzles that I can (have) solved!

 

Not sure where someone gets the notion that geocaching (Groundspeak?) is in decline. Must be sour grapes or a bad egg for breakfast.

 

B.

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Geocaching on the decline? Are you serious, I have seen a boom in Geocaches hidden. Granted I am a newbie in the whole 15 year history, but I fail to see how geocaching is on the decline. I have seen more events, more caching, and a higher interest than I have in my first year.

 

I can really agree with this post.

 

When we first started caching, the local map was pretty empty. Heck even 75 - 100 kms away, there weren't many caches or cachers.

 

But "now" it's a smorgasbord. Perhaps too much of a smorgasbord, some would say.

 

It's not just the number of caches that have exploded, but the different types of caches. There are even puzzles that I can (have) solved!

 

Not sure where someone gets the notion that geocaching (Groundspeak?) is in decline. Must be sour grapes or a bad egg for breakfast.

 

B.

Compared with some years ago it's a no-brainer that Geocaching has increased.

But I'm not sure if there are areas/countries where this page from project-gc does not show more red than green numbers:

http://project-gc.com/Statistics/Overview

 

P.S.: And I don't consider this as an unfortunate trend B)

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P.S.: And I don't consider this as an unfortunate trend B)
Yep. Let's say that last year, there were 100 geocachers in the area who logged at least one cache a month, and that they averaged 100 geocaches a month. Each month, there would be 10k logs posted in the area. And this year, there are 500 geocachers in the area who logged at least 1 cache a month, and that they averaged 4 geocaches a month. Each month, there would be 2k logs posted in the area.

 

So, is geocaching on the decline because last year there were 5x as many Finds logged? Or is geocaching on the rise because now there are 5x as many active geocachers who go geocaching at least once a month?

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So, is geocaching on the decline because last year there were 5x as many Finds logged? Or is geocaching on the rise because now there are 5x as many active geocachers who go geocaching at least once a month?

All I know is that none of the 5x as many active geocachers will be attending a Block Party in Seattle next year.

 

Maybe 5x as many geocachers will see Lackeys at regional and local events next year, compared to this year. That would be a Good Thing.

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