cachecare

Do you think the clout of MnGCA will help when according to eaglexplore the vice president of MnGCA looks the other way at a bird house that is secured to a perfectly good tree in a city park? Oh, I forgot the integrity of the gamepiece is more important than the integrity of the gameplace. Do you think the clout of MnGCA will help when according to eaglexplore the vp of MnGCA hides his first stage micro cache nine feet off the ground? Oh, I forgot the integrity of the gamepiece is more important than the safety of others.

You think MnGCA has more clout when according to eaglexplore the vice president approves of attaching a bird house to a perfectly good tree in a city park? Oh, I forgot the integrity of the gamepiece is more important than the integrity of the gameplace. You think MnGCA has more clout when according to eaglexplore the v.p. of MnGCA approves of placing his first stage micro cache nine feet off the ground. Oh, I forgot the integrity of the gamepiece is more important than the safety of others.

Or in the words of Eugene McCarthy, I'm Sorry I was Right. www.thecie.org/gene

Why is it that state organizations have additional guidelines? Why was it necessary for a Code of Ethics that was finalized on 12/23/04? It should be apparent that there are geocachers with a Hells Angels mentality. It only takes a few to ruin the hard work and admirable efforts of others that do believe that the integrity of the gameplace and safety is more important than the integrity of the gamepiece. Some of you have it all backwards and place too great an importance on your own prized Tupperware treasure, 2x6 pogs, cammo ammo and micros and sacred hiding place. Don't you see the hand writing on the wall? It reminds me of those days when there were only a few ten-four good buddies. Then the air waves became crowded with crosstalk and interference. Yes we all need to be Caretakers and Caregivers like never before because it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone. Unfortunately there are getting to be too many geocachers in a densely populated area like St. Paul and Minneapolis and it will only get worst. MnGCA needs to forget about the good old days of what once was when geocaching could function pretty well on a do your own thing mind warp. MnGCA needs to get their act together before its too late as it's already later than they realize. Geocachers need to be more responsible than ever. It's a completely different ballgame today compared to 2002. Having a great looking website with savvy systems analysts and designers is just the start. We need to accept the fact that those that will eventually have the final say are not impressed by geocachers that think the integrity of their gamepiece is more important than the integrity of the gameplace.

My, My, My, My, My! What have I gone and done. Do most geocachers really believe that protecting their gamepiece is more important than protecting the gameplace environment? Some of your comments remind me of the free wheeling attitude of a few Hells Angels bikers that I used to know in North Minneapolis. And we don't need any Caretakers or Caregivers? I'm not talking about spoilers unless of course you happen to have a Hells Angels outlook on rules and regulations. The new Code of Ethics clearly says, Not endanger myself or others Does it not mean what it says and says what it means? After reading some of your replies I see it is not well received whole heartedly by all geocachers. It only takes a few Hells Angels to intimidate the President of MnGCA. Then again maybe he is one of them. According to eaglexplore the members of MnGCA only know him as John or JT with no last name or photo. Gosh, do you think Markwell is more likely to be a former member of Hells Angels or the Sierra Club?

An important mission statement of the Geocacher's Code is "protecting the integrity of the gameplace." I do believe we could expand upon this by establishing what I would like to refer to as Cache Caretakers and Cache Caregivers. Each one has elite mission to "protect the integrity of the gameplace," but with slightly different objectives. We might equate these highly trained members to that of a special forces team that all members respect and support. MnGCA takes pride (for good reason) in its geocaching organization www.mngca.org/ Yet, we all have come across geocaches that diminish the integrity of this great sport. It only takes one or two to be a setback to the diligent efforts of the majority. In a way we are all Cache Caretakers and Caregivers, but some of us have a superior due diligent integrity for this sport. These are the level-headed cachers I am looking to for your finite vision of a TRUE Caretaker and Caregiver. I do see a difference between these two types of due diligent geocachers even though both have above average insight and wisdom. Both a Caretaker and a Caregiver have the highest of standards in promoting the best aspects of the sport. They both are true blue blood hounds, but each one has a unique purpose or mission to "protecting the integrity of the gameplace." They both promote the sport by encouraging other geocachers with a one on one mentoring relationship. Hopefully, I will be allowed and encouraged to formulate the nations first Cache Caretaker and Caregiver mentoring program in Minnesota. Members will become either a Caretaker and/or a Caregiver. This will require a more formalized due diligence to geocache mentoring among the elite geocachers of this planet. There will naturally have to be certain requirements to becoming a Caretaker and a Caregiver. For example they will have to be elected by a certain number of geocaching members. Fellow members that nominate a prospective Caretaker and/or Caregiver will elaborate upon the due diligent characteristics of each prospective Cachecare nominee that sets him/her apart as a superior member with unique insight and wisdom. These superior Cachers should be so acknowleged with a prestigious patch(s) that they can purcfhase for a nominal fee for attaching to their favorite geocaching shirt(s). Perhaps each state organization could have a design contest for its own CacheCare patch. Thanks in advance to you all for your insight and wisdom.