Three Monkies Ranch

I manage a nature center, and am working on the same thing. So far, we have nothing written, but we do have a few ideas. As of now there is no badge for geocaching, but we have worked with a few leaders to provide them with a program. We have also used GPSr's as an addition to the requirements for the Map and Compass pin and belt loop. Send me an email. I would be happy to help you out.

Well, I am glad to see that you are using this forum to promote the sport of Geocaching and not using it as a spot to air your political views. As an American, I respect your right to express your opinion, but as a cacher, I find it rude and annoying! I visit this site to get away from the political BS your statement ends with! As for a size classification for nanos, I have also thought about this. I just don't know if an additional classification is warranted. I cache with my family (7 years old & 2 1/2 years old) and rarely look for micros. I look for caches that will allow them to trade. On the few occasions I have gone after micros, I have relied on the cache owner to state that it was a nano and have had no problems so far. (I am thinking about my political beliefs now, but I have the good sense and common courtesy not to post it on a site like this! ) I

Wow! I don' know what I would do if we had those laws here. Barefoot rummaging is a major time killer for my kids and me!

Thanks midnightfaerie, the topic of this thread is weather or not we, as part of the geocaching community, want an attribute for a playground nearby! Debate New York law all you want (if it is a law it is discriminatory and you should contact your state rep. to have it repealed), but I live in the Chacago area and this does not apply. All I wanted was to make it more family friendly, which, in my opinion, is what geocaching is all about. The suggestions about proximity to a playground are well founded, but I think that if the park that holds the cache has a playground, it would qualify for the attribute. As for the "where does it end with attributes" crowd (do we have one for pine cone caches, too?), lighten up. We look for tuperware in the woods! Those of us who use them appreciate them and those who don't can ignore them. We seek because it's fun. Encourage others to do the same by making it fun for all.

As the father of three, one 7 years old and two who are almost three, it is important for us to be able to plan our caching day so that we hit at least one park with a playground. Caches need not, and should not, be placed near playgrounds but it is nice to know there is one in the area. On a side note, I manage a nature center and I feel that getting kids out caching is a major benifit! So, if listing a playground will serve as an incentive to get more people outdoors, it needs to be done. In response to the comment about too many attributes, I rely heavily on them and have found that the additional information has provided far more positive experiences than negative. This is a "family friendly" sport, words often mentioned by Groundspeak, and as a family it is nice to konw what we are getting into when seekin a cache. In other words, if some is good - more is better.

As the father of three, one 7 years old and two who are almost three, it is important for us to be able to plan our caching day so that we hit at least one park with a playground. Caches need not, and should not, be placed near playgrounds but it is nice to know there is one there. On a side note, I also manage a nature center and I feel that getting kids out caching is a major benifit! So, if listing a playground will serve as an incentive to get more people outdoors, it needs to be done.

A local cacher in our area has set up a great web page (http://renzoscustomcache.blogspot.com/) with many DIY geoswag ideas. We have used some of his ideas, but we always cary extra kid stuff for caches that are lacking in tradables.