RULES AND NOTES

Overview

Geocaching is a term given to the sport of seeking out objects at specific coordinates. The term Geo refers to the Earth and Caching refers to placing something to pick up later. Geocachers have been hunting ammo boxes and Tupperware containers filled with all sorts of little trinkets from McDonalds toys to Wheresgeorge dollars. Some caches are large, 5 gallon bucket size, and some are really small, 35mm film containers. Our competition will consist of only two physical courses this year. It has been decided that the Team and Individual courses will be the only ones different. The 2-Person team course will use the 4-Person team course.

We will hide 60 caches within the park ranging from easy to difficult. We will hand out a TOPO map of the area with all caches included.

The courses are described below. In addition to the courses, we will have several things to do. There will be a kids course, kids caches, fellowshipping, friendly chatter on GSAK and GPS units, favorite puzzle caches, etc.. We will have a cracker barrel, a social event where everyone brings a snack to share, at the pavilion each night. Don’t forget, you don’t have to compete to look for the 60 caches. Each cache found will be loggable if you feel the desire to do so.

The events will run from Friday night through Sunday afternoon. However, the competitive events will start on Saturday morning. The schedule can be found on the main event page.

Pre-registration is required for everyone. Events, Competitions and meals must be paid for in advance. The cutoff date will be March 15th 2006. We will NOT take walkup registrations unless you have completed the waiver. There will be NO refunds for meals. Credit Cards, Paypal, Checks and Money Orders are the only forms of payment accepted. Only cash and checks for walkups! Please see the registration form for details.

Even if you are not competing, you must register. Every individual must sign a waiver and register. Please download the waiver from moga.geostl.com. Even if you are just thinking about coming, complete a waiver! We must have all waivers turned in 72 hours prior to the event date.

Rules and Games

The events are as follows:

Individual Course –

The individual event will be divided into age groups. The following age groups will be awarded 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place trophies.

Under 30

31 – 49

50 and older

There is no need to register differently. We will determine the correct group after the event. Your age will be written on the scorecard. This will be taken from registration.

The event will consist of individuals looking for 30 event caches. All caches will be Tupperware containers and a punch will be fastened inside. You must punch your card to get credit for the find.

These caches will be called group A. These caches will be hidden in various areas and the participant will be allowed to drive to the closest parking areas. We will hide a few caches close to parking in various parts of the park to encourage participants to split up. We will have a shotgun start at 8:00 am and the finish time will be at 11:00 am. You must find as many as you can during this time. All park rules including speed limit and parking will be strictly enforced by park staff. Penalties will be the same for all events. It is listed in the penalties section.

There will not be a different course for easy and hard. We will have only one course for individuals.

2 Person Team Course –

This course will be the same as the 4 person team course. Caches will be from Group B. 2 person teams will have to find as many caches as they can in a 3 hour time limit. You will start at 1:00 PM and must complete no later than 4:00 PM. You must stay together to complete the course. You will be given 1 punch card and must punch with the punch found in each cache, in the proper area of the card, to get credit for that cache. These caches will be in Tupperware containers. Your team finishes when BOTH members return.

4 Person Team Event

This course will be the same as the 2 person team course, Group B caches. 4 person teams will have to find as many caches as they can in a 3 hour time limit. You will start at 1:00 PM and must complete by 4:00 PM. You can split up to complete the course. You will be given 4 punch cards and must punch with the punch found in each cache, in the proper area of the card, to get credit for that cache.. These caches will be Tupperware containers as well. Your team finishes when ALL members return.

At the starting point, you will be given a clue sheet for each waypoint and a topo map. You then can decide which team member goes where. You will also be given a trail map of the area to plan out your routes. You will receive this 10 minutes before the start. Don’t be late!

Scoring

The individual or team, 2 or 4 person, who gets the most punches in the 3 hour time limit wins the competition. In case of a tie, the individual or team that has the quickest time will win. If there is still a tie, a tiebreaker will be used that will require trivia knowledge of Geocaching History!

Awards

There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies for each individual in all courses. The individual competition will have 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place trophies for the different age groups.

Rules

There will be a 3 hour time limit. You or your entire team must finish within the 3 hour limit. Each 5 minutes late reduces your punch by one until 21 minutes have passed. 21 minutes past your deadline, you will be disqualified!

No extra value will be given for harder punches. All caches will be spread out throughout the course with the starting point being the center, not the edge.

You may drive to any areas but you MUST FOLLOW ALL PARK RULES. DO NOT PARK ON THE GRASS OR IN NO PARKING ZONES!!

There will be more caches than you can find. You must decide on how you will hunt them, which ones to complete and how you can get the most in the shortest amount of time. Remember the rating and use it! Do not trespass or go into off limit areas!

All Park Rules must be followed at all times. Course monitors will be stationed around the caches. DO NOT MESS WITH THE CACHE PLACEMENT OR THE PUNCHES!

Remember, we are honest cachers. This is evident in the number of caches that stay in place. Please do not try and destroy or move anything.

Disqualification

Any person or team found altering the cache or course in any way will be disqualified and asked to leave the event.

Anyone coming back after their deadline will be docked 1 punch for each 5 minutes late up to 20 minutes. After 21 minutes, you will be disqualified.

Losing your punch card will result in disqualification!

Team Definitions

Teams must consist of 4 players, no more, no less, for the 4 person event and 2 players, no more and no less, for the 2 person event. Each player with the 4 player team must have their own GPS It would be a huge disadvantage with anything less than 4 GPS units as teams will often split up to find as many caches as possible. 2 Person teams may share a GPS unit. Each team must register as a team listing all players. You can have 1 reserve player in the unlikely event someone is unable to compete. 10 minutes prior to your event starting time, no changes or substitutions will be allowed. You may form your team at the event. However, 1 person from the team must prepay for the entire team and indicate their team name.

Come with lots of team spirit and be ready to win!

Non Competitor Course

Non Competitors can hunt all the caches in the park after the first individual has gone. You will be given all the information needed to log the caches. 60+ caches should take the weekend to complete. Come out and have fun! Everyone must pay the general registration fee to receive the cache lists. This helps offset the costs. We ask a couple of things from non competitors:

1) You will be given 30 cache locations in the morning. These are from Group B. If you are in a team competition, you will not be allowed to hunt the Group B caches in the morning. Group A will be hunted in the morning by Individual competitors and we will not release those until 1 hour after the event has started. Therefore, if you are only competing in the team event, 2 person or 4 person, you can start hunting the Group A caches 1 hour after the individual event has started, 10:00 AM.

2) At noon, at the Pavilion, we will release the other 30 caches. However, please start hunting Group A in the afternoon to stay off the team courses. One hour after the teams have started, you may hunt either group.

3) You will not finish all caches in one day. Please plan on hunting the caches on Sunday as well.

4) Hide the caches back as well as you found them. Remember that some of these caches will be used by competitors in the afternoon. Do not move them or remove the punches. Just sign the logbook and leave something in the cache if you desire.

Registration

Registration will be available electronically as well as mail in. The registration form below can also be found on http://moga.geostl.com. Meals will be a separate registration form found on http://moga.geostl.com.

Paid registrations before January 31^st, 2006 will receive a discount of $3.00 off general registration for adults and $1.00 for youth. You will also receive $1.00 off any competition registration per person. ($2.00 – 2 person teams and $4.00 – 4 person teams)

The first 30 Paid Registrations will receive a special collector’s lanyard in addition to the other registration goodies.

See next page for registration form. Fill out all registration pages completely.

Meals

Meals must be ordered by March 12^th, 2006.

Meals will be catered for your convenience. They must be ordered in advance. Meals can also be ordered at http://moga.geostl.com. Just follow the links.

Meals will all be served at the Pavilion in the picnic area. The coords are as follows…

Pavilion N38 58.122 W090 32.160

You will have tickets that indicate your meal. Tickets are as follows…

Blue Ticket – Breakfast

Orange Ticket – Lunch

Pink Ticket – Dinner

If you have Saturday Breakfast and Sunday Breakfast, you will get 2 Blue tickets.

If you have Saturday Lunch and Sunday Lunch, you will get 2 orange tickets.

DO NOT LOOSE YOUR TICKETS. YOU CANNOT EAT WITHOUT THEM!
Registration Form

This form is for checks and money orders only. Paypal and Credit Cards should be done through http://moga.geostl.com All Waivers must be faxed to: 636-246-0091

Last Name: ____________________________ First Name: _____________________________

Address 1: ____________________________________________________

Address 2: ____________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: _________ Zip: __________

Phone1: ________________________________ Phone2: _________________________

Emergency Contact
Name and Number: _______________________________________________________

Age: _________________ Caching Name: ____________________________________

Registration Fees Prices are (‘After Jan 31^st / Before Jan 31^st’)

General Registration Adults (18 and Up) $ 16.00 / $ 13.00 __________

Youth Registration (13 – 17) (12 and under are free) $ 8.00 / $ 7.00 ____________

Individual Event $ 4.00 / $ 3.00 ____________

2 Person Team Event (Cost Per Team) $ 8.00 / $ 6.00 ____________

Team Name ___________________________________________

4 Person Team Event (Cost per Team) $ 16.00 / $ 12.00 ___________

Team Name ___________________________________________

Note: Team Registrations can be combined on one form. This person will be the team captain. Others still have to register but they do not have to pay the registration fee for the team. Make sure you indicate your team name. For 2 person teams, a hyphened name such as Smith-Jones will be fine or if you are a married couple, a last name will do.

Each Participant will receive a Lapel Pin, a Lanyard and a Collector’s Geocoin for the event.

Extra Lanyards QTY _________ $ 4.00 ea. ___________

Extra Lapel Pin QTY _________ $ 3.00 ea. ___________

T-Shirt L QTY _________ $ 16.00 ea. ___________

T-Shirt XL QTY _________ $ 16.00 ea. ___________

T-Shirt 2X QTY _________ $ 16.00 ea. ___________

T-Shirt 3X QTY _________ $ 16.00 ea. ___________

T-Shirt 4X QTY _________ $ 16.00 ea. ___________

Continued on next page Total for this page ___________

Registration Form Continued

Last Name: ______________________________________________________

First Name: ______________________________________________________

Total From First Page: ___________

Extra Collectors MOGA coin*: QTY ________ $ 7.00 ea. ___________

Pre Order DVD of the Event QTY ________ $ 5.00 ea. ___________

Total Payment Excluding Meals: $ ________________

Order Meals on Next Page

* - Geocoins will be given to the first 175 registered. After that, they can be preordered and paid for up front. In the case we do not have enough coins, you will receive a refund of the full amount paid for the coins. Extra coins are sold to participants first, the general public second.

Meal Order

All Meal Package includes Sat. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Sun. Breakfast and Lunch.

All meals: $ 27.00 QTY _______ Total $ __________

Saturday only meal package includes Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Saturday only meals $ 18.00 QTY ________ Total $ _________

Saturday Breakfast

Individual Price $ 6.00 $ 6.00 QTY ________ Total $ _________

            Scrambled eggs
            Pancakes
            Bacon
            Sausage Links
            Hash Browns
            Milk – Orange Juice – Coffee

Saturday Lunch

Individual Price $ 6.00 $ 6.00 QTY ________ Total $ _________

            Grilled Ham and Cheese
            Soup
            Chips
            Soda, Coffee

Saturday Dinner

Individual Price $ 8.00 $ 8.00 QTY ________ Total $ _________

Choice of:
Grilled Pork Steak
Bar-B-Q’ed Pork Steak
Half Grilled Chicken
Baked Rigatoni (Pasta)

Vegetables

Apple Pie or Cherry Pie
Dinner Roll
Soda, Water or Coffee

NAME ______________________________________________

Meals Continued

Sunday Breakfast

Individual Price $ 6.00 $ 6.00 QTY ________ Total $ _________

                Scrambled Eggs
            Pancakes
            Bacon
            Sausage
            Hash Browns

Milk

Orange Juice

Coffee

Sunday Lunch

Individual Price $ 6.00 $ 6.00 QTY ________ Total $ _________

Choice of

Bratwurst (1)
Hot Dogs (2)
Chili
’Kraut
Condiments
Crackers
Chips
Water
Soda
Coffee

Total Meals $ _________________

Total Registration $ _________________

Grand Total $ _________________

Send registration and waivers to:

SLAGA – MOGA 2006

Registration

483 S Kirkwood Road
PMB#226

Kirkwood, MO 63122

Waivers can be faxed to: 636-246-0091

NAME ____________________________________________________________________

Waiver

Must Be Signed and Faxed or Mailed

I the undersigned, being a participant involved in the Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure (hereinafter referred to as MOGA) or being the parent or legal guardian of such a participant in MOGA, in consideration of my or another’s participation in MOGA, I hereby, for myself and any participant for whom I am a parent or legal guardian release, discharge, hold harmless, and forever acquit the State of Illinois, the County of Jersey, the City of Grafton, The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Pere Marquette State Park, The St. Louis Area Geocachers Association, the MOGA staff or other local sponsors, and their officers, agents, representatives and employees from any and all actions, causes of action, claims or any liabilities whatsoever, known or unknown now existing or which may arise in the future, on account of or in any way related to or arising out of my participation in MOGA. Further, I assume all liability of any non-participants who accompany me.

I understand that I am a participant for all purposes, and am not an employee of the State of Illinois, the County of Jersey, the City of Grafton, The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Pere Marquette State Park, The St. Louis Area Geocachers Association, the MOGA staff or other local sponsors, and their officers, agents, representatives and employees, and as such they are not responsible for injury or death of myself and any participant for whom I am a parent or legal guardian which may occur while acting as a participant.

Participant’s name (please print): ____________________________________________

Participant’s signature: X____________________________________________________

Participant’s age: ________________________________

Signature of participant’s parent or legal guardian (if under 18):

X_________________________________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________

Please mail or fax registration. Registration can be done online at http://moga.geostl.com

Waiver MUST be sent in two weeks prior to the event. If you even think you are going to attend, send in the waiver just to be safe.

Mail to:

SLAGA – MOGA 2006

Registration

483 S Kirkwood Road
PMB#226

Kirkwood, MO 63122

Waivers can be faxed to: 636-246-0091

Facilities

Camping

Camping is available in the park but you will need to make your own arrangements with the park. Camping will be first come, first serve. Sorry, that is just how the park functions. There is plenty of camping for tents so that will not be an issue. There are 80 Sites that have electric and water. The shower houses will be open for the event.

Please look at the campground map on the next page.

Campground Map

About Pere Marquette State Park

Pere Marquette State Park
Route 100, PO Box 158
Grafton, IL 62037
618-786-3323

Located 5 miles west of Grafton, Pere Marquette State Park comprises 8,050 acres making it Illinois' largest state park. The Park is famous for the beauty of its fall colors and as a home for bald eagles in the winter. In addition to the spectacular views of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers from several scenic overlooks, visitors can take advantage of a variety of year-round recreational activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, and taking part in interpretative programs.

"Father Marquette" Mural in the Visitor Center
by Chase Studios, Cedar Creek, MO

Pere Marquette State Park was named for Jacques Marquette, a French missionary who was a member of a European expedition led by Louis Joliet. In 1673, Marquette and Joliet traveled down the Mississippi River as far as the Arkansas River. They were the first Europeans to reach the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. A large stone cross located east of the main Park entrance along Route 100 commemorates their historic landing.

The region’s history of animal and human habitation goes back to prehistoric times. Fossils can found in the strata, stripped bare by millions of years of erosion. At the foot of McAdams Peak, twin springs flow from Ordovician-Silurian rocks deposited 350 million years ago. Loess (pronounced ‘less’), the vertical banks of yellow clay seen along the road to the bluff-tops, is a windblown dust laid down a million years ago during the last Great Ice Age. This material covers all the ridges in the area and is topped by the rich black topsoil that supports the present flora.

The Park is dotted with over 150 small Native American burial mounds and the Illini Confederacy occupied the area when the Joliet and Marquette made their journey. A number of archaeological studies have been conducted here, most notably at the location of the Pere Marquette Lodge. Prior to its construction in the 1930's and again during the lodge’s expansion in 1985, evidence that the location was a prehistoric habitation site was uncovered.

In the 1930's, with the advent of the Great Depression and with the nation’s natural resources in jeopardy due to poor environmental practices, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created. At Pere Marquette, the CCC built many buildings and shelters, fences, bridges, water reservoirs, foot and horse trails, riprap and streambank protection. Work was also done to create parking areas, campgrounds, and the clearing of overlooks and vistas. In addition, archeological and other types of surveying activities were conducted. Many of these CCC structures are still standing.

Today, Pere Marquette State Park offers its visitors diverse recreational and educational opportunities that encompass the past, present and future. The new Visitors Center provides displays that cover the region’s history and the types of environments the visitor can encounter as well as housing informative Interpretative Programs. The Lodge consists of both new facilities as well as those constructed by the CCC. All this and more makes Pere Marquette State Park a great place to explore!

Lodging

Pere Marquette Park Lodge and Cabins

Around $110.00 a night plus tax.

The Lodge offers 50 spacious guest rooms and 22 stone guest cabin rooms. Facilities at the Lodge include a cocktail lounge, gift shop, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas, game room and tennis court. Most rooms have 2 queen sized beds. The Cabin rooms are located approximately 150 feet from the main Lodge and Guests must walk over to use the Lodge’s services - there are no covered walkways. The cabins have a more rustic decor than rooms at the main lodge. All rooms have a table, chairs, dresser, television and private bath. None of the rooms are equipped with whirlpool, fireplace, refrigerator or any type of cooking facility.

For its guests the lodge's indoor recreation area includes an indoor swimming pool, exercise room, whirlpool and saunas. Many areas of the lodge are handicap accessible, with the swimming pool equipped with a special lift for pool access. An outdoor tennis court is nearby.

For lodge rates and additional information visit including seasonal specials visit the lodge's official site at http://pml.ilresorts.com/html/main.html

Bed and Breakfast

The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway area is known for its warm hospitality and unique lodgings. Guests have many choices of accommodations to choose from ranging from staying in Victorian era homes that are on the National Register of Historic Places to inns with scenic views of the Mississippi River. Most inns are within an hour's drive from the area's attractions and events as well as St. Louis. During peak seasons such as autumn when the leaves turn, availability is limited and advance reservations are suggested. During the winter Bald Eagle season, many inns have special Eagle packages, with special prices and bonuses like tours and meals.

Corner Nest Bed & Breakfast 3 Elm Street Elsah 618-374-1892		Built in 1883, this beautiful home is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Recently redecorated, The Corner Nest is a true step into the luxuries of the past.

Green Tree Inn 15 Mill Street Elsah 618-374-2821		Escape the stress of everyday life in this inn sheltered by nature in a beautiful valley. Stroll quiet streets and discover the beauty that travelers enjoyed more than 100 years ago.

Maple Leaf Cottage Inn 12 Selma & 38-40-42-44 La Salle PO Box 156 Elsah 618-374-1684		An Inn-spiring view of our Garden and Cottages and services Cottage Style. All rooms have private bath, sitting area, and breakfast is served to you each morning in the parlor.

Bluffdale Bed & Breakfast R.R.#1, Box 145 Eldred 217-983-2854		Bluffdale B&B features secluded luxury cabins located against the bluffs overlooking the Illinois River Valley. Each cabin has a fireplace, VCR, microwave, cozy robes, and hot tub. Full country breakfast.

The LaMarsh Guest House 25 E. Main Street Grafton 618-786-2438		This historic two-story house (circa 1836) in downtown Grafton can accommodate 10 guests and has 2 bathrooms, a Jacuzzi, entertainment center, and a partial kitchen (microwave and fridge)

Tara Point Inn & Cottages #1 Tara Point Lane Grafton 618-786-3555		On a bluff above the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, we have the most spectacular view in the Midwest. Choose from 3 guest rooms in the main house and 8 cottage units.

Grafton Homestead Retreat Croxford Road Grafton 618-786-2420		Whatever season, you will enjoy this two bedroom, fully equipped, country guest house surrounded by the serenity of nature. Fish, explore, hike or just relax. Two miles north of Grafton

Jackson House 1821 Seminary Street Alton 618-462-1426		Choose an elegant guest room in Jackson House or a secluded guest house: the rustic but luxurious Barn or The Cave, a cozy earth house nestled into a wooden slope.

Hotels

Super 8 Jerseyville Il

23 miles from Park

1281 Mcclusky Rd
Rt 109
Jerseyville, IL 62052

618-498-7888

http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=08756&brandInfo=SE

Rate: ASK FOR THE MOGA RATE
Rates 10% off, so rates are:

1 bed- 1 person-$49.39 2 person-$53.89

2 beds- 1 person-$53.39 2 person-$58.89

Pets-$10/night

Description: Free Cont. Breakfast - free Wifi and computer in lobby

Super 8 Alton Il

22 miles from Park

1800 Homer Adams Pkwy
Alton, IL 62002
800-346-8357

Rate: ASK FOR THE MOGA RATE

$49.50 for single or double beds . Price for 2 people, $6 each additional.

Description: This Super 8 Motel in Alton, Ill., stands close to the Alton Belle casino and 30 miles from St. Louis. The 63- room motel features suites with large living areas, king-size beds, sofas and coffee tables. Guests also can pick from rooms with king-size beds, sofas and coffee tables or single rooms with queen-size beds and recliners. All rooms contain 27-inch cable TVs with movies. The motel also features 24-hour coffee, SuperStart Plus breakfasts, cribs and rollaway beds. Free Wi-Fi

Days Inn

16 Miles from Park

1900 Homer Adams Pkwy
State Route 3
Alton, IL, 62002 US
618-463-0800

Rate: ASK FOR THE MOGA RATE
$45.00 for single or $50.00 for double beds

Description: Free wifi, heated pool

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

For any Emergency call 911 First, then notify Pere Marquette’s Superintendent.

Jersey County Sheriff’s Dept.	(618) 498-6881
Healthcare Resources	(618) 466-6207
Park Superintendent	(618) 786 3323
MOGA Staff	(636) 485-9998 or 9997

All Staff Walkie-Talkies will be on:	Channel 2 – Sub Channel 33
Please keep this channel clear!

Agenda

Friday, March 24th 2006

5:00pm - 10:00pm	Setup		Camps / Hotel
9:00pm - 11:00pm	Cracker Barrel (Meet and Greet) – Pavilion (Everyone brings a snack to share.. Coffee and Hot Chocolate provided)		Pavilion

Saturday, March 25th 2006

6:00am – 7:00am		Breakfast	Pavilion
6:30am - 7:30am		Registration	Pavilion
7:30am - 7:45am		Participants Meeting	Pavilion
8:00am – 11:00am		Individual Competition	Pavilion
9:00am		Non-Competitors given cache sheets for Group B	Pavilion
11:30am - 12:30pm		Lunch	Pavilion
Noon		Non-Competitors given cache sheets for Group A	Pavilion
12:45pm – 1:00pm		Team Strategy Meeting	Pavilion
1:00pm – 4:00pm		2 Person and 4 Person Team Event	Pavilion
6:00pm – 7:00pm		Dinner	Pavilion
7:00pm – 7:30pm		Naturalist and Historian	Pavilion
7:30pm – 8:00pm		Tools of the Trade	Pavilion
8:00pm – 9:00pm		Awards and Prizes	Pavilion
9:00pm – 11:00pm		Cracker Barrel Social (Coffee, Tea and Hot Chocolate Provided. Bring a snack!)	Pavilion

Sunday, March 26th 2006

7:00am – 8:00am		Breakfast	Pavilion
8:00am – 9:00am		Closing Ceremony	Pavilion
11:30am – 12:30pm		Lunch	Pavilion
9:00am – 5:00pm		Open Cache Hunting	Park
5:00pm		Event Closes / Cache Pickup

Agenda Subject to Change