geoaware

We have made a change to the EarthCache guidelines to make it clear what is the acceptable language for an EarthCache. Basically from now on (existing EarthCaches will be grandfathered), we will only publish EarthCaches that provide the text in the local language. We encourage the practice of providing the text on multiple languages if you have the skill to do so, as long as one of those is the local language. You may be asked to provide the text in English to assist with review, and once published it may be removed. The new guideline words are : EarthCache sites must be educational. They provide accurate but simple explanations of what visitors will experience at the site. Cache text must assume no previous knowledge of earth science. The educational notes must be written to a reading age of an upper middle school (14 year old) student. Avoid direct plagiarism from web sources and quote sources of information where appropriate. Additional technical or scientific notes can be provided for the scientific community at the end of the listing. All notes must be submitted in the local language. You may be requested to provide the notes in English to assist with the reviewing process.

The narrow definition of Earth science under which we operate EarthCaches was provided by Groundspeak. At times we have approved EC using a wider definition and had those questioned...and so the narrower definition remains in force. Sorry - our GSA definition is wider...but still does not include pure ecology/biology based caches.

If you organize an event through gc.com, we would be delighted to support your event by sending you a small package of things to handout and/or use as 'door' prizes. To receive these you need to send us an email (through the geoaware profile) with the code and name of the event, a summary of what you plan to do and your mailing address by the 10 September. Thank you all for supporting International EarthCache Day!

I asked a similar question last year. No one around here has events on a Sunday! Yet again, there was no official Earthcache Day last year? For some reason or another, it was canceled. Even with the cancellation, we did have an event and it was on a Saturday. My guess, you can have an Earthcache day event when you want too because there is no "Official" icon or specific recognition with Groundspeak other than the universal Event icon. Go for it! I agree. Nothing truly official about it, so Host the Event when it's conveniant for you. The important thing is to promote Earthcaching International EarthCache day has always been held on the first day of Earth Science Week. Last year, due to funding, we were unable to provide support to people organizing events in the form of pins etc and so the day was up to individuals. This year the day is on the 10 October. However, if that does not work for you or your local customs feel free to organize something during the next week. We would LOVE to know in advance of any activity you have planned - and see some photos of the event after it has happened. As Touchstone says - its about spreading the joy of EarthCaches

If you forget to take coords, makes sense to me that you could also forget to check for an existing placement. Asking another person for the coords does not take away your liability as the cache developer to make sure your site is safe for people to visit. That is why the guideline is there. Remember the guidelines were written this way to PROTECT YOU.....

The guidelines on this were developed for a reason and WILL be enforced.

Just try it in English only. Does France have its own Earth cache reviewer? If not, it should not be a problem. If I am going to set up an Earth cache, I would only offer it in English, like another non Earth cache I have. In case of troubles, use the appeal process. Earth caches are hosted on gc.com and there is no rule that forces you to use any other language than English on gc.com. The GSA can set up rules that are Earth cache specific or are needed for ensuring the review process, but I do not feel that it is appropriate that they add conditions that do not hold for any other cache type on gc.com. Before requiring a local language version for Earth caches, they should rather make sure to not any longer publish German caches in countries where no German in spoken (like Egypt for example). Ssome time ago I asked an Earth cache reviewer about that strange part of the guidelines and got an inofficial response that it should be ok to use English only in case that this is accepted in my country (which is the case). In Austria Earth caches with an English version only are published without any problems. If some French cachers want to have an additional French version, then one of them should prepare one. Then you can add it at a later time. Cezanne Firstly, I value your opinion....but the EarthCache guidelines are not some arbitrary list of conditions developed by the GSA alone but have been developed in partnership with gc.com from the very inception of EarthCaches. They have evolved over time (again in partnership with gc.com) and will probably continue to do so. I realize not everyone likes all aspects of the guidelines, but they have been developed to ensure that EarthCaches provide educational lessons to visitors and that we can maintain quality while also ensuring that peoples continue to enjoy developing and visiting EarthCaches around the globe. The 'English' rule was developed to assist the review process when the reviewer was English speaking. Now we have reviewers for some countries, in those areas the local language can be used. However, to be safe, I would strongly suggest that the text be provided in English to speed up the process.

Most of the ones that I've heard about were because of some obvious violation of the Terms of Use of the site. I don't know the circumstances in this particular case, but I wish the cache owner well and hope he stays safe during his tour. Also, for EarthCaches..... You can also get a black mark against your name for falsifying permissions or claiming you have received permission to place and EC when you have have not. Please be warned - we check! You can also get a black mark for being rude of land managers (we have had complaints about cachers), being rude to other cachers and reviewers either by phone, email or in these forums. It is a game...and you are expected to play by the rules, be polite to others and have fun. I certainly assume and hope you are not implying this is the applicable with the "particular case"! Also, please define a "black mark". It would further help to have "rude" defined. Sometimes, folks are overly sensitive! I am sorry but your terms of "black mark and rude" are vague and are hard to use as guidelines. It leaves the door far too open for selective application. Cachers should not be in the position of being manners police. Thanks Touchstone for the well wishes for our fellow cacher. P.S. Please put a disclaimer that your remarks are not aimed at the banned cacher because folks posting on this forum have been warned not to discuss specific cases and that's all we want. Thanks a lot. Rude = " Upload, post or otherwise transmit any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, slanderous, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, embarrassing, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable to any other person or entity." black mark = The EarthCache review team will report your behaviors to Groundspeak and urge them to act under their guidelines.

Sounds great....if there were enough in the DFW area to showcase. Maybe it is a great opportunity to hold an event to tell your other fellow cachers that they need to go help create some more? You need to provide people with some copies of the guidelines at these events so they know what they need to do to get an EarthCache up and running.... www.earthcache.org

Most of the ones that I've heard about were because of some obvious violation of the Terms of Use of the site. I don't know the circumstances in this particular case, but I wish the cache owner well and hope he stays safe during his tour. Also, for EarthCaches..... You can also get a black mark against your name for falsifying permissions or claiming you have received permission to place and EC when you have have not. Please be warned - we check! You can also get a black mark for being rude of land managers (we have had complaints about cachers), being rude to other cachers and reviewers either by phone, email or in these forums. It is a game...and you are expected to play by the rules, be polite to others and have fun.

A common misconception. Actually the Guidelines state that: Which implies that a photo can't be the ONLY Logging Requirement. In addition, from the discussion in this Forum Section, it appears that requests for photos of people and/or their GPS are not generally allowed. I can understand that, but check out this listing GC1TVB6. The ONLY requirement is a photo. How does that get approved? In the past we have found some CO 'update' their listings to remove logging tasks AFTER it is published. When we find out about such listings, or if somehow one like the suggested cache above are reported, we work with the CO to get it corrected. You CAN NOT just require a photo and no other tasks and get it published.

"Calgriz," that statement is absolutely true for geocaches, but Earthcaches are a different animal. NPS banned real geocaches years ago. Groundspeak asked that ones that were already in parks be removed. At the time, Groundspeak also had a category called "virtual caches," so many of those were created in national parks. Those virtuals still exist, but a few years ago, Groundspeak stopped the virtual geocache program, so no new ones are being created. Earthcaches are a special type of virtual cache that the GSA developed in conjunction with Groundspeak as an educational activity. As others have pointed out in this thread, the policies for Earthcaches are currently being handled on a park-by-park basis within the NPS system. Geocachers can also participate in CITO events in some national parks. And of course, there are waymarks in the parks. So there are still plenty of ways for cachers to enjoy their hobby on NPS lands. Patty Actually it should read Earthcaches are a special type of virtual cache that the GSA developed in conjunction with Groundspeak and the US National Park Service as an educational activity. And that change makes all the difference. However the NPS rule is that you MUST HAVE the local park approval before you develop and EarthCache in a National Park. That is why you must provide a name and number - as we call to check.

It is the OFFICIAL International EarthCache Day and we will encourage you all to get involved by holding an event based in which you showcase EarthCaches in your area.

It is Sunday 10 October - the first day of Earth Science Week. Geoaware

You know, nobody is forcing you to read it. If people still want to discuss it, that's their business. I agree, things change and it helps to keep cachers up to date after a posting gets buried. You don't know how happy it makes me, for once, to totally agree with you both (Jellis and narcissa)! Thanks. .....it probably is time to move on folks.

Actually you are very wrong. We listen and care a lot about what people think - and follow what seems to be the best for the majority! We have run the program now for many years and the system works....changing it mid stream to cater for a few would damage the system for the vast majority. We have been toying with additional levels and schemes for a while now......I guess it is a matter of 'watch this space' to see what falls out.

Actually you are very wrong. We listen and care a lot about what people think - and follow what seems to be the best for the majority! We have run the program now for many years and the system works....changing it mid stream to cater for a few would damage the system for the vast majority. We have been toying with additional levels and schemes for a while now......I guess it is a matter of 'watch this space' to see what falls out.

You can require a photograph in your logging requirement BUT only if: 1. You have a strong set of logging tasks that can only be done on site and not through an internet search. 2. The photograph is related to the site or logging task and 3. Any content not related to the site (face, dog, car etc) is OPTIONAL. We have NEVER said photographs were not allowed. So, if you have a STRONG logging tasks then... If you ask 'Log a photograph of yourself at the site..." you will be asked to make it optional. If you ask to log a picture of yourself or your GPS at the site" it will be fine - as people can opt for the GPS image. I just want to point out (again) that the photo issue is included in the guideline for LOGGING and it is woven into that issue. It is NOT a separate issue - never has been, never will be. The complete words are : Logging of an EarthCache must involve visitors undertaking some educational task that relates to the Earth science at the site. This could involve measuring or estimating the size of some feature or aspect of the site, collecting and recording data (such as time of a tidal bore), or sending an e-mail to the cache owner with the answer to Earth science related questions they obtained by reading an information display. While photographs may be requested, they do not take the place of other logging requirements. Taking a photograph alone or asking people to do internet research does NOT meet these logging guidelines. Requests for specific content in the photograph (must include the visitor's face, for example) will be considered an additional logging requirement and must be optional. Cache owners may not delete the cache seeker's log based solely on optional tasks. Geoaware

How rude! The "needs archived" button should be used very infrequently and with great reservation. I don't believe Groundspeak envisioned it's use as a form of protest, especially if the protester is totally incorrect! Remember, it was earlier suggested that if there was an objection, contact GS and not start some sort of war with the cache developer! "Needs archived" is like waving the proverbial red flag in front of a bull! Nothing constructive will be gained by using the "needs archived" button! Once again, let's review the History 101 of EC Photo Requirements: 1.Genesis: In the beginning: Please see the very first earthcaches. They are: GCHFT2 and GCHKCK. The year , 2004 started both the idea of earthcaches and the idea of photo requirements. Thank God for both and a special thanks to Geoaware for starting all of this (earthcaching). Note: purpose of the photos, maybe to show the cacher actually visited the site? While viewing these wonderful ECs, you will note that the photo requirement remains to this day! 2. From 2004 until sometime in 2008 there was little to no debate regarding the photo requirement. 3. In 2008 and 2009 a few folks posted their objection to the photo requirement via this forum. The protests were based on such circumstances as : "I don't have a camera or don't know how to use my cell phone camera", "I don't want the CIA or any other nefarious group to see my actual face on the internet". "My wife doesn't think so, but I believe my face is too ugly to be seen on the internet", etc., etc., etc. Even with these rather vocal, but minority protests, the photo requirement remained! Please note that for those who were sincere, most earthcache developers were willing to accommodate their needs and modify the photo requirement! 4. Late 2009, early 2010: along came the big change, not to the use of a photo requirement, but to how ECs are submitted and are approved. There was significant discussion of various proposed and/or considered changes such as the vacation and proximity rules as well as the photo requirement. All three (vacation, proximity and photo) methods remained in effect with very minor modification!. 5. With great hesitancy I will repeat the words of Geoaware which most of us took as the final position regarding the photo requirement. Here they are: Question Jan 24 2010, 06:31 PM) "If educational questions are sufficient and everything is otherwise OK, can you require a photo if it is not specific as to faces, etc., but is site specific and certainly related to the text? When I say require I mean that the log can be deleted if said photo is not posted!" Konnarock Kid & Marge Answer "You are correct. That is exactly what the guidelines mean. If you are not asking for specific non-site related content you can ask for a photo. If you ask for something in the photo that is not related to the educational logging task or the site, the photo must be optional and you can't delete a log based on the lack of photo alone." Geoaware In summary, photos can be required. As to the purpose of the photos, proof of visit, sprucing up a log or allowing the cacher to demonstrate their photographic skills, who knows, but photos can be required! There is no prohibition of requiring a photo as proof of visit or any other reason as long as the photo is related to the text and/or geology of the site. Note the above quote, "specific non-site related content" is taken to forbid requiring faces among other things, but not the photo itself! Thanks and happy earthcaching to all! For the record, I have never deleted a log from either of the two mentioned EarthCaches because it lacked a photograph. I do not enforce that requirement as the other logging tasks - primitive in both cases - works for me. At the end of the day I want people to learn something and be amazed at our Earth....and I don't need a photo to prove that.

The EarthCache Masters Program has NOTHING to do with Groundspeak. I made the rules - they seem to work for the vast majority...and so they stay the way they are. The EarthCache GrandMaster has spoken (so it is said, so it is written)

I would be happy for a puppy, kitty or llama to learn some Earth science by visiting an EarthCache....as I am sure that their owner/guardian/best two legged friend would learn a little as well.

Oh well, I would appreciate that very much, but realistically I feel that they typically do not have the time for doing so and some of them do not seem to have the appropriate detailed background in geology. The situation has been different before the huge expansion of the reviewer team. I agree. I would not like to see a rigid rule. 2 very special Earthcaches within 20m may be ok, but they should be only listed in special situations. I am not happy with examples like this one (it is just an example - my concern is a general one) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...ed-bb51bfbebd8a (the older one) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...d7-70dc6e0010a6 (the new one) Both objects are on display directly outside of the mineralogical museum of the city of Marburg/Lahn in Germany. The tasks are copying something from a sign, taking photos and measuring the size of the trunks. I cannot remember - maybe there are even more objects there on display in the outside area, or additional ones will show up somewhere in the future. Where is the limit? 2, 3, 5, 10 or how many Earthcaches within a very small area (well below the distance requirement for physical caches)? Cezanne Please see the guidelines when it comes to these issues. They are very clear. EarthCaches should highlight a unique feature. EarthCaches that duplicate existing EarthCache information about the site or related sites may be rejected. EarthCaches should be developed to provide a unique experience to the visitor to the region. Multiple EarthCaches on the same feature should be avoided and content rather than proximity will be the guiding principle.

A submission for an EarthCache based on a tree will not be published.

Dear all I appreciate your patience as we have put our new system into place...and we now have reviewers around the world that work with your EC submissions. I also have enjoyed the feedback I get from emails directly from you - and have worked to make sure issues are cleared away as quickly as I can. However, I will be away for a few weeks and ask that you hold back with questions to my email account. I will happily work with you all in mid-June to sort out any issues that have come up. Also, I will no longer respond to email about EC that are in the queue waiting for review. The local reviewer who looks after your area will process them as soon as they can. Please just be patient! If you have had your submission 'disabled', read the comment, make the changes and then 're-enable' so it is seen in the reviewers queue again. Again thank you all for your support of EarthCaching and a HUGE thank you to my reviewer Groundspeak team!

We do our best to make sure all the Platinum level people get their pin asap. This is a mistake on my behalf that you were sent two...and maybe you might like to send one back so I can reward it t another who is waiting?