GIFF 2025 at the Wheelock Schoolhouse

 

This year’s Geocaching International Film Festival was one for the books! On Sunday afternoon, November 9, a group of local geocachers gathered at the Historic Wheelock Schoolhouse for a cozy screening of the 2025 GIFF finalist films. The weather was perfect, the popcorn was flowing, and the laughter was nonstop.

We kept things relaxed: Folding chairs, popcorn bowls, and a projector lighting up the old schoolhouse wall. The setting couldn’t have been better: a 1908 two-story schoolhouse turned community center, complete with wooden floors, creaky stairs, and small-town Texas charm. The same building that once held classes over a century ago now hosts a room full of geocachers swapping travel bugs and stories, and of course, snacks!

A Great Turnout and a Fun Crowd

About seventeen cachers showed up from around the Brazos Valley, including familiar faces and a few new ones. We watched the full GIFF reel, which showcased the creativity, humor, and heart of the global geocaching community. There were plenty of laughs (and a few “we’ve been there!” moments) as the films captured all the little quirks of the game we all know so well.

Everyone earned their GIFF 2025 souvenir and left inspired to plan their next big caching adventure, or maybe even submit a film for next year’s festival.

Big Thanks and Local Highlights

A huge thank-you goes out to Dealfarms1, who secured the Wheelock Schoolhouse venue, and to 2xrCody, who helped handle the setup, projector, and tech side of things. The space worked perfectly for a wonderful small-town movie evening.

We also used the event to release our first batch of Brazos Valley Geocachers Travel Bugs — and they were a hit! All fifty were sold, helping us reach our first fundraising goal for future banners, booth displays, and event materials, along with the upcoming Brazos Valley 7 County Challenge.

Caching Around Wheelock

Before and after the films, many attendees spent time exploring the area and finding some of the excellent caches that Dealfarms1 has hidden around Wheelock and the surrounding countryside. The highlight, of course, was The Schoolhouse Outhouse (GC9T2D4), a cleverly placed cache right by the event venue that’s earned plenty of favorite points.

 If you haven’t visited yet, consider this your excuse to take a drive out to Wheelock, enjoy the small-town history, explore the local caches, and grab a smiley at the schoolhouse that’s quickly becoming a BV Geocachers favorite.

Looking Ahead

This event was a great reminder of what makes our community so special. Creative hides, good humor, and folks who are always up for an adventure!

Thanks again to everyone who came out to support, share snacks, and celebrate another year of GIFF with us. We can’t wait to see what next year’s festival brings (and maybe a few local films of our own)!