Paul & Babe's GeoHunt

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,500
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association
Start Date
March 2010
End Date
September 2010
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Crow Wing
Crow Wing
Project Overview

Paul & Babe’s GeoHunt is a summer-long geocaching event that features unique sites along the 54-mile Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway driving route. The sport of geocaching involves hiding camouflage containers (which are called caches) so that people can look for and find the containers using GPS technology. Once they find the containers, participants collect special cards (found in the caches/containers). After collecting a series of 10 cards, participants can earn a GeoCoin. A total of 30 caches are hidden throughout the driving route, released through a staggered schedule through the summer.

This project offers a new and unique way to teach people about the history of the Byway region. By involving the green or silent recreational sport of geocaching, participants will be drawn to the historical facts in ways not traditionally offered. Many geocachers are families with young children, and often include mutliple generations in the act of the hunt.

Specific goals of this project include:
• provide a new and unique way for people to learn about the history and the lore of the Byway region
• spark interest in visiting the historical sites and museums along and around the Byway route
• motivate travel, overnight stays and multiple visits to the Byway region
• increase overall awareness of tand interest in he Byway and it's Association
• engage new volunteers and businesses along the Byway in a new and unique way

In the spring of 2010, a small committee met to plan the project. Volunteers were fond to help with the cache hiding. Representatives from the area historical societies were involved in selecting historical facts for use on the collector cards, as well as determining good locations for caches to be placed. Supporting sponsors were sought and markeing materials were developed.

Project Details
To increase public access to historic resources along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
Legal Citation / Subdivision
LAWS of MINNESOTA for 2009 Ch. 172, Art. 1, Subd. 4 (b), Statewide Historic and Cultural Grants
Appropriation Language

(b) Statewide Historic and Cultural Grants. (i) $2,250,000 in 2010 and $4,500,000 in 2011 are appropriated for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional or other historical or cultural organizations; or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Funds are to be distributed through a competitive grants process. The Minnesota Historical Society shall administer these funds using established grants mechanisms, and with assistance from the advisory committee created herein.

2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$5,500
Other Funds Leveraged
$5,750
Project Manager
Salutation
Ms.
First Name
Kathy
Last Name
Moore
Street Address
Moore Consulting, 8089 Ridge Road
City
Lake Shore
State
MN
Zip Code
56468
Administered By
Administered by
Location

345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-259-3000