What should be left in an established cache?

[cnh624]

We are going looking for caches at a state park next week (I've never geocached before) and I read somewhere if you take something you should leave something behind, any suggestions welcomed.

[+nekom]

You don't HAVE to take or leave anything, but the etiquette is that if you take something, you are expected to leave something of equal or greater value. Good trade items are things other geocachers might want. First aid kits, small tools (knives are frowned upon, however), children's toys (a lot of people cache with their kids), keychains, things of that nature. The average value of an item in a cache is probably between 1 and 5 dollars, but there are some exceptions.

[+Hellolost]

We took dollar coins for smaller caches. Heck I found a actual dollar in a regular cache and got pretty darn happy. So that would work too for your first few times out while you get a general idea.

[+briansnat]

You don't have to trade but if you do, just carry a bag of inexpensive, but useful trinkets. One of my favorites is that I buy a box of individually packaged Off! insect repellent wipes and leave a one or two caches.

[+briansnat]

You don't have to trade but if you do, just carry a bag of inexpensive, but useful trinkets. One of my favorites is that I buy a box of individually packaged Off! insect repellent wipes and leave a one or two caches.

[+BDstarcachers]

Dig through the junk drawers at home for keychains, fancy

erasers, clips, hair bobs, small toys

like bouncy balls or matchbox cars, just about anything that

most people have but rarely use or need. You'll be surprised

how much you can accumulate from the stuff around your house.

[+Come Away With Me]

(knives are frowned upon, however)

 

Why are knives frowned upon? I have about 2 dozen little pocket knives that I was planning on leaving in caches. I thought it would be a pretty neat item that someone would like.

[+DaFunkyFrogs]

Knives are not just "frowned upon", they are listed in the guidelines as one of the items that are suggested to not be placed in a cache. Kids go caching and look through the swag while parents are signing log books, it's a safety issue. If you are unsure of what items are allowed, you can read the lists in the guidelines. HERE