MAARC MEMORIAL DAY
HamRadio/GeoCaching Treasure Hunt
Saturday May 30, 2009 (1PM to 5PM)
MAARC Clubhouse

Goals:
1. Collect points for finding GeoCaches. Most points wins. A prize suitable to the GeoCache genre will be awarded.
2. Develop greater understanding of maps, mapping, coordinates, and GPS operation.
3. Incorporate amateur radio communications
4. Eliminate time as a factor to eliminate the hurry-up tendency.
5. Have fun.

Rules or parameters:
1. Must follow all Geocaching conventions and protocols
2. Four hours will be allotted to find three caches. If every team finds three caches in three hours, one additional hour will be allotted to find one more. Keep the best three.
3. Report each cache by radio as it is found, must match with log when returned to Net Control.
4. Return to NCS with trinket from each cache claimed, must account for all caches claimed
5. May not claim any cache that any team member has previously found or visited.
   (You are on your honor here)
6. Points: (Difficulty + Terrain + Distance in miles) x 10
7. 1/3 points for reporting missing cache

Notes:
• There are 112 cache's on the GeoCache database as of May 1, 2009, however changes can be expected.
• They range in point value from 27 to 178.
• Each has been assigned a difficulty and terrain factor by Geocache.org. In addition, the distance from 2888 Scenic Drive (the clubhouse) has been determined through Google Maps. Difficulty, terrain, and distance are all factors used in determining the point value. The database contains the name of the Geocache, distance and bearing from the clubhouse, difficulty, terrain, Lat/Lon, and point value. The database to be used will be kept confidential and provided only in the packets on hunt day.
• In 2007 (the last time this event was run) the event was won by the team seeking the cache with the highest point value. They won even though they did not find the cache because it appeared that the cache was missing and they received 1/2 points.
• This year the database includes distance and bearing information and only those cache’s recently reported to be found. In addition the point value for reporting a missing cache has been reduced to 1/3 to continue to recognize the effort that goes into searching, even if the final goal is not achievable. Hopefully this will result more cache’s being found within the allotted time.
• This event is open to all amateurs and non-amateurs who form teams (at least one ham is required for each team) and there is no cost to participate. We’ll even see if we can scare up some hot dogs and fixings for a picnic.

Timing:
• 12:30 PM Team Check-in (get your packets)
• 1PM Kick off and Net start
• 5PM Net end, all stations report in
• 5PM Picnic Time
• 5:30PM All teams return to clubhouse
• 5:35PM Award ceremony
• 5:45 PM Done