bubaroo

Thank you for your thoughts. Unfortunately, I think I will have to take the road less traveled, even if looked upon poorly by other geocachers. We went (with the kids) to another site yesterday evening (once it cooled down) to find a broken pen, an alcohol wipe, and rusty green penny. Definately a dissappointment after traveling 15 miles. The site was nice, and we were doing a family activity but come on... I didn't even want to acknowledge this find. Maybe someone should put together a section for geocaching on this site just for families with small children. I understand it's about the thrill of the chase and experiencing a new local but really? .... at least try and put even the tiniest bit of effort into what you take and leave. I will put out a cache in Westchester, NY for families within the next week that will be worthwile for all. I hope this motivates others to do the same. If you and your children enjoy the experience and it makes you smile it was worth the effort and expense. I am sorry if others feel this lessens the experience but to me and the many others who have commented here, it seems it will only strengthen the experience and bond to geocaching. The people who do steal or make really bad trades won't read this, or they'll ignore it. Many others will likely think poorly of you for it. Geocaching is supposed to be a fun, light activity. If people's swag habits bother you, put out caches with no room for trades.

Is it within reason to say in a geocache placement " If you are not willing to leave something of equal importance or value, do not take??????? We recently went to this cute site in Bronxville with the kids and with all the excitement there was a broken sketchers shoe tag and what looked like a used balloon. We have been planning on doing several caches in great places both here in New York and in the Berkshires but do not want to play Geo Santa and go through all the effort, time and expense to have people who do not share our sense of fairness and reciprocatation. We are not saying" leave 5 dollars, but the....... Oh honey look, I have a used golf tee from yesterdays game in my pocket, let's leave that, and take the cool pirate bracelet.....Is soooo uncool! We joined this for the thrill of the chase and the excitement of seeing new undiscovered places but I truly feel, especially with kids, the find is also a big part for them. In the three caches we have found so far, we have left things that meant something to us and others as well. We have built 3 caches to leave that would be exciting for families with children and adults alike to find but is it worth all the time and effort to get in return an army guy with a broken M-16 rifle, one eye and one leg? Is there private geo-caching amoung like minded individuals? Confused

Is it within reason to say in a geocache placement " If you are not willing to leave something of equal importance or value, do not take??????? We recently went to this cute site in Bronxville with the kids and with all the excitement there was a broken sketchers shoe tag and what looked like a used balloon. We have been planning on doing several caches in great places both here in New York and in the Berkshires but do not want to play Geo Santa and go through all the effort, time and expense to have people who do not share our sense of fairness and reciprocatation. We are not saying" leave 10 dollars, but oh honey look, I have a used golf tee from yesterdays game in my pocket, let's leave that, and take the cool pirate bracelet.....Is soooo uncool! We joined this for the thrill of the chase, but I truly feel, especially with kids, the find is also a big part for them. In the three caches we have found so far, we have left things that meant something to us and others as well. Confused????