BNRC geocache event brings families together in the woods

Melvin Somes

In June, the Resources Council announced its first Geocaching Event. Caches were hidden on 10 of our properties, and folks went on a treasure hunt to find them, using GPS units. Successful hunters won prizes, including maps, Arcadian Shop gift certificates, and Holiday Farm maple syrup. Those who found all 10 caches by August 11 were eligible for the grand prize drawing.

The event generated a certain number of emails, letters and voice messages, which taken in aggregate tell the story:

Thank you for providing a good answer to those who ask, Why would you go wander around the woods? I have never needed more purpose than to just be in the woods, but this should be great fun. ...

I tried using a GPS to find some of your coordinates and some appear to be way out of the boundaries of Berkshire County. Am I doing this right? ...

Not only was it fun, but the properties were beautiful. The experience was memorable - particularly #8!! ...

Peter Hayes & Bryan Emmett

I appreciate the introduction to natural areas previously unknown to me. It is reassuring to know that these natural areas are protected and open for hikers. ...

I am sorry that I broke the punch lever for the first geocache site on Bald Mountain and hope that it did not inconvenience other adventurers too much. ... [No problem, it didn't. Ed.]

It is also possible that we just don't get it, but naturally our egos find this possibility hard to consider. ...
Thank you for the maps, gift certificate and maple syrup. ...

This is the Pittsfield Post Office. There is a thick, dark liquid leaking from a package mailed from your office. Please call to advise us as to whether this is a hazardous material. ...

The trip was not without its perils. We got two ticks on the first day and had to have them removed, and on the last day I got one more and had to pull it out in the Cincinnati airport. It cost me $23 for a pair of tweezers, but they are real nice tweezers. I didn't have much choice, it had to come out. Our 7-year-old daughter also hiked all of the caches and is anxiously awaiting word if we won the kayak. Thanks for the good hunts. ...

I encourage you to plan a second geocache event in coming years, this gets people and especially families involved in group activity far superior to watching television and playing computer games.

Once the names of the 10-for-10 hunters came out of the hat in the Grand Prize drawing, Peter Hayes of West Dover, Vermont had won the Perception kayak; Tim Taylor of Lee won the Ranger compass; and Walter and Anna Elwood of Pittsfield took home a gallon of maple syrup.

Great thanks to our generous sponsors: The Arcadian Shop in Lenox, Holiday Farm in Dalton, and SmartWool of Steamboat Springs, CO.

The caches remain in the field. Interested geocachers can find the coordinates at www.bnrc.net.