Oceanwalker

To each his own. The bottom line is, if you're going to geocache, know the rules. If you're not into leaving swag, that's ok, you have nothing but the log book to sign. For our family, personally, we enjoy the hike, the adventure, the find AND the swag. I keep a swag bag in my car and put a lot of thought into a swag I would leave for the next geocacher, just my style....carabiners with compasses, new small flashlights w/battery, small micro tools, pins, foreign, interesting coins, cool rings, interesting trinkets, small mirror compacts, usable items, keychains, etc. I buy new things in bulk (buy for cheap), at dollar stores, thrift stores (great places to pick up swag), freebies from online, giveaways from stores, etc. I want the next person to find a nice surprise and try to carry something for everyone. Once I find the cache, I evaluate what's inside and leave something different than what's in teh container. Today, I found 5 caches. Four of them had nothing but junk and garbage; broken crayons, pieces of plastic, used broken erasers, rusty paper clips, etc. I was truly disappointed, but at least happy I found the cache. I wiped out the containers, replaced bags for log books with new ziplock bags, threw out trash, and left a few usable, worthy, and thoughtful swags that I know someone would be happy to find. The other cache I found today had a dollar bill, and other neat swag inside, it was still a newly placed cache. I am thinking of copying a message and leaving it in every cache, as the original poster stated: CIJO - Cache In, Junk Out...Obey the rules, trade equally or up.... Something like that, so others can be mindful of others.

Very nice. I recall someone placing old Roman coins in a cardboard 2x2 coin flip, either as FTF prize or as signature items. Are these the old British pennies? I tried looking for a place to get them inexpensively without success. See, now this would also be something I'd love to order in bulk...any ideas where/how I can get them?

My son would love to find an arrowhead...where can I order some ?

Both, thanks! Two requests in one, I suppose!

Yesterday, we found three cache boxes....one had only a TB and a coin, so I gladly deposited three more (new) swag into the box for others to enjoy. The second cache box we found was dirty, so I emptied its contents and wow, did a lot of dirt just slide right out. I didn't have my wipes with me, otherwise I would have wiped it out. There was a lot of old junk and paper in there along with a few cool things...I contributed more swag to this cache...The last box had clean, updated cache, so that was nice. I want others to be happy with what they find and v.v. Dirty, old, worn, damp, corroded items just aren't welcomed....A clean cache box with clean items is!

Looking for clever, creative, inexpensive cache (swag) ideas...things that people could use, like, fun to collect, etc. And, what are your best ever cache finds? Looking for all sized ideas!! Thx.

I'm glad to know that we all want to keep the cache box filled with decent cache and, good point about mugglers perhaps getting into the boxes. I'm going out geocaching today, so I'll post back to see what I find...I'm just a newbie, but plan to hit some neat spots today...we'll see what happens!

I, too, will always attempt to leave the cache (and the box) in better shape than found. I am still new at this, but already carry clean zip lock bags with me (snack and sandwich size) in case the log book bag is dirty, old, soggy, whatever....and will replace it with a new bag. I carry handy wipes, too, in case the cache box needs cleaning inside..pencils to replace, and of course, extra (interesting, fun) swag to replace broken, corroded, or wet cache. Everyone likes when they find neat things inside the cache box, tube, etc...and again, I know it's about the hunt. However, it takes little effort to find/purchase/contribute decent swag so others can enjoy the surprise at the end of the hunt. I bet you can find interesting swag for geocaching at garage sales, around the house, dollar stores, asking friends for giveaways, old coins, asking the kids, family members...I'm rambling, so enjoy!

Yes. I was thinking of doing that, but wasn't sure I was "allowed"...I have to say, I would never take anything out, but my goodness, I was really shocked at some of the seriously dirty broken things I found in the box...it doesn't take much to come up with some good swag, I wouldn't think...am I wrong?

Hey all, Yes, I'm also a newbie and I found 4 small lock and lock boxes yesterday....I was so excited...put them back exactly as they were. Now, call me dumb, but, in two of the boxes, were nothing but junk. I mean, dirty broken pieces from an old game, or religious pieces of paper, a folded colored piece of paper, or corroded pieces of metal broken off from a button of some sort...I mean, really, stuff you would never keep. In two other boxes were items worthy of cache...cool marble, button, magnet, key chain, etc....what is someone to do when they find things like this? I didn't think of replacing it, but I at least put some fun items in there (shiny coins, cool keychain, interesting stuff). I know it's about the hunt, but come on...this stuff was literally trash...what should I do? And suggestions for other cool items to upgrade the cache? Thx!