Sexual materials in caches

[+ThePetersTrio]

Since the thread on religious materials in caches is so popular and the issue of political material was also briefly mentioned, I thought I'd start one about sexual materials.

 

I myself have never found anything remotely sexual inside of a cache. But I have read about people finding condoms and underwear in them (unused reportedly).

 

There are also some nontrackable coins that feature nudity. I doubt many of these are put into caches but I could be wrong!

 

Has anyone found porn or anything else sex-related in a cache?

 

If you did, would you CITO it? Would it offend you? Would you argue the person who placed such an item in a cache was simply expressing themselves?

[sdarken]

Clearly the answer is that sexual material in caches is not appropriate. Geocaching is a family friendly activity. I'm sure the guidelines cover this topic.

 

I found a condom in a cache once while out with my kids. I would have CITOd it if I could have done it without my kids seeing. Unfortunately on that particular occasion it ended up back in the cache.

 

I've come across a much larger rubber item while geocaching with my daughter. Fortunately it wasn't actually in the cache and I was able to steer my daughter away in a different direction before she saw it.

 

If you spend enough time geocaching it seems you're bound to come across interesting things stashed in unexpected places.

[+gmcpower98]

CITO!!

However like last responce said, it would have to be able to do it discretely

as I often geocache with my 14 y/o daughter.

[+Renegade Knight]

...Has anyone found porn or anything else sex-related in a cache?...

 

You blend several different things into one topic. My rule of thumb is that the cache contents should comply with local laws. That means if a kid isn't allowed to posess it, it shouldn't be in the cache.

 

Nudity is different than sex. By itself it doesn't move something to the 'no kids' side of the equation. For example a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, or one heck of a lot of classic art which can be found on a keychain.

 

Also while I'd have no use for a condom for it's purpose from a cache kids walk by them in the store. I'm unsure if there is an issue to worry about. I've read survival books that highly reccomend condoms for use to carry and store water. A sealed cache condom I might toss in the pack for that purpose. Or maybe not. Likewise undergarments. Kids wear them. I'm not sure if they are a good trade item, but they certainly are not truly related to sex. Edible underwear would break the rule about no food in caches.

 

Anyway, see the second sentance.

[+KBI]

If I found anything questionable (non-G-rated) in a geocache I would have no problem removing it – assuming it wasn’t too icky to touch, that is.

 

As Renegade Knight rightly pointed out it is a matter of subjective opinion exactly where to draw the line – but if I were unsure, I would probably err on the side of caution.

 

The guidelines do not allow for anything about a geocache to be anything other than family-friendly, including trade items. Muggles who accidentally stumble across cache containers, however, are obviously not bound by the guidelines. That is one of the risks we take by leaving our game pieces out in publicly-accessible places – and an extremely important reason why you should try to get to the container before your kids do, or at least be there with them when they open it.

[XC_Tracker]

We don't find too many sexually related items unless we ARE doing a CITO - then we usally strike the mother load of magazines and toys. If a highway ditch could speak, I am afraid it would have a dirtier mouth than a sailor.

[+PlantAKiss]

I haven't found anything like that IN a cache but recently found "underthings" outside a cache. And apparently I was not a good cacher by not being prepared to deal with such a situation and remove them...

 

I wouldn't leave anything like that in a cache as I consider it a family sport. Although I do think plain ol' nudity shouldn't be a big deal. Nudity and porn are different things. And if any kid has watched TV, then they've seen just about everything anyway.

[+Snoogans]

If I found anything questionable (non-G-rated) in a geocache I would have no problem removing it – assuming it wasn’t too icky to touch, that is.

 

I found a Penthouse centerfold of a hhhhhhot Asian girl in a semi-remote cache near June Lake, Ca. I took it and didn't mention a word in the log. I still have it somewhere.

 

I think you may be wrong about material left in caches not being able to influence people.

 

Because I met the future Snoogstress just a few months later.

 

[+BlueDeuce]

If you did, would you CITO it?

 

Yes.

 

Would it offend you?

 

On a personal level? No. On a Family-Friendly site level? Yes. (Offend may be too strong a word, I would feel that the material would need to be restricted from being made available to children)

 

Would you argue the person who placed such an item in a cache was simply expressing themselves?

 

Expressing themselves? Yes. Simply? No.

 

Since I am not psychic, I cannot know the intent that someone is simply expressing themselves. Wouldn't matter anyway.

 

Edited to note that I don't consider condoms to be sexually explicit material.

Edited August 14, 2008 by BlueDeuce

[+Kit Fox]

Since the thread on religious materials in caches is so popular and the issue of political material was also briefly mentioned, I thought I'd start one about sexual materials.

 

I myself have never found anything remotely sexual inside of a cache. But I have read about people finding condoms and underwear in them (unused reportedly).

 

There are also some nontrackable coins that feature nudity. I doubt many of these are put into caches but I could be wrong!

 

Has anyone found porn or anything else sex-related in a cache?

 

If you did, would you CITO it? Would it offend you? Would you argue the person who placed such an item in a cache was simply expressing themselves?

 

 

Jun 18 2001, 11:15 AM Post #18

 

I will not allow an "adult" cache (as in sexually explicit) on the geocaching.com web site. People are certainly welcome to create their own geocaching site with an adult (sexually explicit) theme.

 

I will hold my position on this. The idea of a cache of this sort out in the wild with even the slightest chance that a child could accidentally find it really grates my sense of morality. I'd rather not be a part of it.

 

There's already a stigma against geocaching as geotrash. There's no reason to give someone another reason to ban it.

 

Jeremy

 

Nuff Said

[+Team GPSaxophone]

Sex is family-friendly...without it there would be no families.

[Scamp]

Latex condoms degrade over time, and heat accelerates the process. It is fairly common knowledge that you shouldn't use a condom that has been in your boyfriend's wallet for years, because it is likely to not be safe. I think they should not be in caches for the same reason-- someone could use it not knowing that it might have degraded, and the result could be tragic.

 

I don't find them offensive, but an old condom in a cache has more potentially lethal consequences than one of those small swiss army knives that people consider inappropriate swag these days.

 

... Come to think of it, a wrapped condom was the only sex-related item I have ever seen in a cache, and I traded it out for the reason stated above. Unless you guys are caching in much more risque areas than me, I haven't really seen this to be a widespread issue. I don't even see why a condom would be family-unfriendly, tbh-- how many small kids are gonna even care about what that is if a mctoy is sitting next to it? And older kids should probably be told what that is anyway.

[+TrailGators]

Since the thread on religious materials in caches is so popular and the issue of political material was also briefly mentioned, I thought I'd start one about sexual materials.

 

I myself have never found anything remotely sexual inside of a cache. But I have read about people finding condoms and underwear in them (unused reportedly).

 

There are also some nontrackable coins that feature nudity. I doubt many of these are put into caches but I could be wrong!

 

Has anyone found porn or anything else sex-related in a cache?

 

If you did, would you CITO it? Would it offend you? Would you argue the person who placed such an item in a cache was simply expressing themselves?

 

 

Jun 18 2001, 11:15 AM Post #18

 

I will not allow an "adult" cache (as in sexually explicit) on the geocaching.com web site. People are certainly welcome to create their own geocaching site with an adult (sexually explicit) theme.

 

I will hold my position on this. The idea of a cache of this sort out in the wild with even the slightest chance that a child could accidentally find it really grates my sense of morality. I'd rather not be a part of it.

 

There's already a stigma against geocaching as geotrash. There's no reason to give someone another reason to ban it.

 

Jeremy

 

Nuff Said

[+tozainamboku]

 

Jun 18 2001, 11:15 AM Post #18

 

I will not allow an "adult" cache (as in sexually explicit) on the geocaching.com web site. People are certainly welcome to create their own geocaching site with an adult (sexually explicit) theme.

 

I will hold my position on this. The idea of a cache of this sort out in the wild with even the slightest chance that a child could accidentally find it really grates my sense of morality. I'd rather not be a part of it.

 

There's already a stigma against geocaching as geotrash. There's no reason to give someone another reason to ban it.

 

Jeremy

 

Nuff Said

Much like the no soliciting guideline prohibiting caches promoting religion doesn't prevent someone from putting religious tracts in a cache, Jeremy's statement doesn't prevent someone from leaving adult swag in a cache. I suspect there is less controversy, however, about taking this stuff from a cache even without trading for it.

 

I have never found adult swag in a cache. I have found used condoms, used panties, and other items near a cache on several occasions. I even found panties near this cache . What I have also found on more than one occasion are caches that have been found by muggles who felt the need to write explicitly in the log about what they were doing when they found the cache. If you go looking in the bushes in a public park you will eventually find that they can be used for other things besides hiding caches.

[+TrailGators]

Sex is family-friendly...without it there would be no families.

[+Vinny & Sue Team]

Well, first, with the sole exception of a pile of porn magazines placed atop a cache by muggles in a forested area at a highway rest stop which if locally infamous for being heavily-frequented by sex cruisers of all stripes (straight and gay), I have never found a sexually-related item in a cache, nor has Sue. If I did find one, depending on what it was, there is a pretty good chance that it would not bother me personally, although I would have no interest in it (although I still catch myself wondering about the sex toy with the duct tape repair job... do we even want to know the story behind that one?), but I still feel that such things have no place in geocaches, for several reasons, including the fact that it is a family-oriented sport.

 

Moving on, I want to discuss something that has been really bothering me about this thread, and here goes:

Why is it that so many posters seem to keep talking about putting condominiums in caches? While it is true that scientifical studies have shown that people who live in condominiums tend to have "swinger" lifestyles and (claim to) have more sex than other more normal people who live in houses, shanties, shacks, apartments, treehouses or storm drain culverts, I cannot for the life of me understand why folks are talking about condominiums on this thread, since condominiums are WAAAY to large and massive to ever fit one inside a cache container. Can someone enlighten me, or is this condominium-in-geocaches obsession just a manifestation of a bizarre and inexplicable cultural quirk?

[+Nachtraaf]

While I was caching in german woods, near a remote ruin of a watchtower, there was a man taking nude pictures of two ladies (french maids)... Luckily I was there without my kids, but unfortunately they were finishing the session :-)

[+Girls Phind Squirrels]

The number of used condoms we find when caching has prompted lots of family-friendly type discussion surrounding safe-sex, morality, and respect for yourself among our four daughters aged 6 to 15. Of course, you have to be prepared to have these discussions. We have always taken the position that if they are old enough to ask the question they get the answer---from us not others. That is our family philosophy and I must say it has prompted some very insightful conversations and offered us many "teachable moments". But it's not easy.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

All of human history has shown that you can't successfully legislate or dictate morality.

 

Parents whose only message to their children is "Don't do it" often end up with unexpected unwanted pregnancies, disease, kids who are parents who don't want to be and in many cases shouldn't be... how much of that heartache and tragedy can be avoided by simply making condoms and education on how/why to use them available to all?

 

The "Abstain, save it for marriage" idea, while a good message to teach and preach, isn't exactly working!

 

People are gonna do what they are gonna do and keeping them ignorant and unprepared isn't gonna change that.

 

Maybe condoms in caches might be a fine idea!

[+KG1960]

Would I be offended? No, if the worst thing that ever happened to me was accidently stumbling across some porn, I would feel very fortunate, although I don't think porn would be appropiate in any cache and I would dispose of it if found.

The number of used condoms we find when caching has prompted lots of family-friendly type discussion surrounding safe-sex, morality, and respect for yourself among our four daughters aged 6 to 15. Of course, you have to be prepared to have these discussions. We have always taken the position that if they are old enough to ask the question they get the answer---from us not others. That is our family philosophy and I must say it has prompted some very insightful conversations and offered us many "teachable moments". But it's not easy.

I agree 100%.

[+KG1960]

...People are gonna do what they are gonna do and keeping them ignorant and unprepared isn't gonna change that....

Yes, exactly!

[jholly]

<snip>

 

Moving on, I want to discuss something that has been really bothering me about this thread, and here goes:

Why is it that so many posters seem to keep talking about putting condominiums in caches? While it is true that scientifical studies have shown that people who live in condominiums tend to have "swinger" lifestyles and (claim to) have more sex than other more normal people who live in houses, shanties, shacks, apartments, treehouses or storm drain culverts, I cannot for the life of me understand why folks are talking about condominiums on this thread, since condominiums are WAAAY to large and massive to ever fit one inside a cache container. Can someone enlighten me, or is this condominium-in-geocaches obsession just a manifestation of a bizarre and inexplicable cultural quirk?

 

Now you tell me about this lifestyle AFTER I sold and moved out out of my condominium.

 

I did one time find some very sexually explicit items in a cache. A male and female hamster in a cache. I won't go into details, but, geez, I thought you were only suppose to leave one in a cache.

 

Jim

[+ShowStop]

I found a nudie magazine less then a foot from a micro cache near Hollywood. I spent some time reviewing the material in detail and decided to add it to my collection remove it from the cache site.

[+Renegade Knight]

The number of used condoms we find when caching has prompted lots of family-friendly type discussion surrounding safe-sex, morality, and respect for yourself among our four daughters aged 6 to 15. Of course, you have to be prepared to have these discussions. We have always taken the position that if they are old enough to ask the question they get the answer---from us not others. That is our family philosophy and I must say it has prompted some very insightful conversations and offered us many "teachable moments". But it's not easy.

 

Excellent. I've been doing this as well. Now my middle kid is too old to think we parents know anything at all. It's a good thing we answered the questions earlier.

[+Trucker Lee]

Clearly the answer is that sexual material in caches is not appropriate. Geocaching is a family friendly activity. I'm sure the guidelines cover this topic.

 

First response, and right on the mark. The guidelines to cover this topic.

 

CITO!!

[+ReadyOrNot]

Much like the no soliciting guideline prohibiting caches promoting religion doesn't prevent someone from putting religious tracts in a cache, Jeremy's statement doesn't prevent someone from leaving adult swag in a cache. I suspect there is less controversy, however, about taking this stuff from a cache even without trading for it.

 

Anyone can place anything they want in a cache. Unfortunately, the only method of control is for cachers to take responsibility and remove objectionable material. I would imagine 99.9% of cachers would remove pornographic material and the other .1% probably put it in the cache.

 

Sometimes trading something for nothing *IS* a trade up

[renegaderebel]

It is fairly common knowledge that you shouldn't use a condom that has been in your boyfriend's wallet for years, because it is likely to not be safe.

 

Pretty sure if your boyfriend has been carrying the same condom's in his wallet for years you might have other problems....

 

 

Like how he got his wallet to last years without falling apart

[+Kealia]

Edible underwear would break the rule about no food in caches.

 

Funniest post I've read so far. I don't have time (unfortunately) to engage in this conversation as I'd like to participate, but I couldn't pass that up.

[+infiniteMPG]

Pretty sure if your boyfriend has been carrying the same condom's in his wallet for years you might have other problems....

Are caches (or cachers) in sexual material allowed????

Practice safe caching.

Edited August 20, 2008 by infiniteMPG

[+Proud Soccer Mom]

I must live in a really boring area because this has never been an issue for me.

 

And thank goodness because I cache with kids.

 

- Elle

[+carleenp]

Years back some sexual materials were found by school children in a cache in Omaha and it made the news. That got the Omaha parks a bit worried. Our local cachers were able to calm things down, and fortunately the news contacted us and reported that the items were likely left by an accidental finder. But regardless, it caused some problems for awhile.

 

So yeah, definitely CITO if you come across that. Personally if that was left in one of my caches I would likely shut it down or move it in case some kid was using it to hide thier stash. My concern would be that they would just come back and leave more.