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Setting a geocache in support of something


lil_cav_wings

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For the past few years, I've been doing Susan G. Komen race for the cure (because I like running and I like my boobs to be cancer-free). A friend suggested that I couple my interest in geocaching with SGK, and put out a "pink" themed cache.

 

My concern is the rule that states "Solicitations are off-limits. For example, caches perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted."

 

I wouldn't be soliciting cachers to raise funds... I'd be making a donation in their honor. For every cacher who signs the logbook, I would donate a dollar to Susan G. Komen in their honor (via a donation website that I made), and there would be pink ribbons in the cache container as swag.

 

Would you, the caching public, feel that a cache like this would be more of "pushed social agenda" or would you be okay with it? Or perhaps this would open a can of worms that no one wants to deal with?

 

I was just seeing what the geocaching community would think before I go through the butt-pain of trying to get a cache set and approved. Thank you.

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I like where you're going with that idea. Thank you.

 

I think I have a unique Bug idea and a spare TB tag.

 

You could have some fun with this too. If you can find a few local cachers to buy TB tags and each launched it with a pledge to donate a dollar everytime it was placed into a new cache, you can have sort of a race to see who pledges the most money.

 

I don't know if it would fly but you could also provide contact information for anyone that wanted to match your pledge. That way the geocaching community would even be involved in the "race" to see which TB generates the largest donation.

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It's a noble idea, but won't get published as a geocache. I don't care for running much, but do like boobs to be cancer-free too.

I discovered this nice coin on a recent road trip cache.

 

You can buy one of your own, and put all of the fundraising and agenda stuff on the TB page as the guidelines are different (i.e. there aren't really any) for trackables than for caches.

 

Here's a forum thread for a Canadian BCA coin from 2007.

There are a couple of places that already have BCA coins for sale out there (GIYF)

But this forum shouldn't be used to promote coin sales; there is another one for that activity.

Edited by wimseyguy
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Okay, well. Here's the thing.... I've already decided to avoid the cache, and just go with a Bug (Thank you, addison, familywatson, knowschad, wimseydude, and the unstoppable nypaddlecacher).

 

SGK is a charity that I like. I don't show up on your front step in Long Beach and insult your favorite charities (if you have them). What I choose to do with the cash that I get from Uncle Sam and the military industrial complex that I work for is my choice.

 

And no... thanks. I don't want a lecture about why SGK is bad in your personal opinion.

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I for one would avoid a cache that supports bad charities like Susan G. Komen, regardless of an agenda.

 

Okay, well. Here's the thing.... I've already decided to avoid the cache, and just go with a Bug (Thank you, addison, familywatson, knowschad, wimseydude, and the unstoppable nypaddlecacher).

 

SGK is a charity that I like. I don't show up on your front step in Long Beach and insult your favorite charities (if you have them). What I choose to do with the cash that I get from Uncle Sam and the military industrial complex that I work for is my choice.

 

And no... thanks. I don't want a lecture about why SGK is bad in your personal opinion.

 

... and there we have a perfect example of why Groundspeak don't allow agenda/charity caches.

 

I've never heard of this particular charity so have no opinions about it either way.

 

Good luck with doing something creative and interesting with the TB ideas. I'm sure you'll generate support that way. :angry:

 

MrsB

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I saw only one person post a rude comment.

 

+1

 

As someone whose life has been touched and deeply affected by a gynecological cancer, I think what you're doing is extremely admirable, lil_cav_wings! I commend you on the tenacity to find a workaround.

 

200px-Teal_ribbon.svg.png

Ovarian Cancer Ribbon

Edited by Gorak
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You were out of line.

 

I disagree. Posting my opinion of a charity and saying I would avoid anything that invovles it is hardly rude.

 

She clearly asked:

 

"Would you, the caching public, feel that a cache like this would be more of "pushed social agenda" or would you be okay with it"

 

I wouldnt be OK with it. I would avoid it because of the orginzation invovled it in it. I didnt insult anybody who donates to that charity.

Edited by EhFhQ
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As someone whose life has been touched and deeply affected by a gynecological cancer, I think what you're doing is extremely admirable, lil_cav_wings! I commend you on the tenacity to find a workaround.

 

Perfectly acceptable agenda for travelers. (Might even be people who can help setting them up)

 

Not permitted as caches, at least not without checking with gc.com first.

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.. because they are truly magnificent.

 

In general or yours in particular (just kidding...couldn't resist...I am a guy after all!)

 

I was waiting and hoping someone would rise to the occasion... :angry:

 

Yes, they are. I owe that to every wide-arm push-up the Army ever made me do.

 

 

I really do like the TB suggestion, and I think that will work just perfect for my idea. I hadn't even thought of doing a TB for this kind of thing, and I'm really happy someone jogged the 'good idea' side of my brain (which is the reason I posted). I know how quickly coins go missing, and I love the one that YemonYime did for breast cancer awareness. If I got one though, I'd end up keeping it because it's really beautiful and very neat.

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Keep in mind that it is the cache listing page itself where any "agenda" has to be avoided. What the cache itself looks like or contains is up to the owner. The website rather simply does not want to appear to support or advertise for anybody that hasn't paid for that web space.

 

Mention that it is "a special color in honor of a charity I support." without the color or the specific charity on the cache listing page - no problem at all. Laminate a page about the charity and tape it inside your pink container. I see no issue with that.

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I think this idea is admirable, although as everyone else has already stated, it probably won't get past the reviewers.

 

Here's what I would do, if I wanted to put out this type of cache... (And this is just me.) I would make a pink container, and write inside of the cache (but nowhere on the cache page), "This cache is dedicated to saving lives lost by breast cancer." You don't have to TELL everyone that you're going to give $1 per log... But you can still do it. Who's to stop you?

 

I suppose while we're talking about rude posts, I'll say that I only find one individual on these forums to be rude, and he/she is very, very consistent(ly rude). But the best we can do is ignore those comments and move along, because most of us know that Geocaching is fun!

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:angry:

 

Are you confused by something? Or did the mention of 'boobs' momentarily cause brain freeze? It's okay. That happens to guys sometimes... because they are truly magnificent.

Wait, a woman calling boobs magnificent... What? :grin::grin::grin:

 

They are magnificent! I greatly appreciate mine and others.

 

I've been to at least one cache in memorial to someone and it did mention in passing their fight with cancer. Inside the cache tehre was a neat log book that asked some specific questions to write about in the log book.

 

I probably wouldn't put a cache out asking for money, rather in the log book mention a charity or two to donate to if people feel the need. And if I went to a cache I likely wouldn't leave money thinking it was a scam.

 

That being said I leave pink ribbon lanyards in caches regularly to show my support and I know there's come pink ribbon geocoins out there too.

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:angry:

 

Are you confused by something? Or did the mention of 'boobs' momentarily cause brain freeze? It's okay. That happens to guys sometimes... because they are truly magnificent.

Wait, a woman calling boobs magnificent... What? :grin::grin::grin:

 

They are magnificent! I greatly appreciate mine and others.

 

Yes, but many woman consider them the cause of sexism.

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Boobs aren't the cause of sexism! Men who can't stop staring at boobs long enough to carry on an intelligent conversation are the cause of... umm... actually they aren't the cause of anything really...

 

Okay, I take that back. They're the cause of more free drinks.

 

 

As a woman, I can quietly appreciate the niceness of another gal's rack. It's like looking over at another woman on the morning commute and coveting her pair of Jimmy Choos and Michael Korrs bag. "Oh, she has a lovely figure and enviable knockers."

Edited by lil_cav_wings
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What was the topic again? Sorry I was distracted by all the boob talk.

 

I think it had something to do with caching. But I'm not certain...

 

On the track of The Big C, a woman I work with has been helping out her son who has been undergoing treatment for Hodgekins Lymphoma. A CT scan revealed a large mass and a somewhat smaller one in his lungs, which has been making him cough a lot (which, along with considerable weight loss got him to finally see a doctor and be diagnosed with Hodgekins) He went in for surgery on the lung masses this week. Pathology report came out today - Large mass was benign - smaller mass is metastasized cancer and is spreading. A truly sad finding - so he's got to sweat out what the specialists can make of it and the next course of treatment.

 

If only he had checked up on his health sooner, he could be looking at a brighter future right now.

 

It's more than pink or blue or green or plaid ribbons, it's getting regular checkups and getting second opinions when you don't think you've got the satisfactory answers - Gilda Radner's story is a tragic on of someone who was misdiagnosed and then walked away from treatment for New Age mumbo jumbo (Read: It's Always Something - her autobiography.)

 

I'm at 24 years without recurrence and enjoying life - because when I didn't feel right I didn't waste time - regular checkups and insisting upon the best care you can get is something each of us is responsible for to ourselves.

 

Best of luck with whatever you decide, Lil Cav Wings.

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What was the topic again? Sorry I was distracted by all the boob talk.

 

I think it had something to do with caching. But I'm not certain...

 

On the track of The Big C, a woman I work with has been helping out her son who has been undergoing treatment for Hodgekins Lymphoma. A CT scan revealed a large mass and a somewhat smaller one in his lungs, which has been making him cough a lot (which, along with considerable weight loss got him to finally see a doctor and be diagnosed with Hodgekins) He went in for surgery on the lung masses this week. Pathology report came out today - Large mass was benign - smaller mass is metastasized cancer and is spreading. A truly sad finding - so he's got to sweat out what the specialists can make of it and the next course of treatment.

 

If only he had checked up on his health sooner, he could be looking at a brighter future right now.

 

It's more than pink or blue or green or plaid ribbons, it's getting regular checkups and getting second opinions when you don't think you've got the satisfactory answers - Gilda Radner's story is a tragic on of someone who was misdiagnosed and then walked away from treatment for New Age mumbo jumbo (Read: It's Always Something - her autobiography.)

 

I'm at 24 years without recurrence and enjoying life - because when I didn't feel right I didn't waste time - regular checkups and insisting upon the best care you can get is something each of us is responsible for to ourselves.

 

Best of luck with whatever you decide, Lil Cav Wings.

 

What about people who can't afford consent check ups?

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I probably wouldn't put a cache out asking for money, rather in the log book mention a charity or two to donate to if people feel the need. And if I went to a cache I likely wouldn't leave money thinking it was a scam.

 

That being said I leave pink ribbon lanyards in caches regularly to show my support and I know there's come pink ribbon geocoins out there too.

 

Sadly I think you would get push back on even that. Advocacy is Advocacy. Breast Cancer awareness is something I think few people oppose. But then if some other cache advocates a controversial position, how do they deal with that? Say yes to some, no to others? Tough call.

 

That said, you could probably stock it with generic pink items, ribbons, magnets etc without causing a ruckus. Victoria Secret Pink might cause too much traffic and damage the environment. :anibad:

 

I really like the idea of a travel bug or a Geocoin. You could give it a goal to visit caches around BC events. I had found a Chinese geocoin and carried it through about 4 weeks of practices in a dragon boat. In the final week we raced to raise money for a local BC survivor support group. The race was in a NJ state park with a big lake and plenty of caches, many of which I found after each practice. I became very attached to that coin in the end but I left the coin in a cache overlooking the docks where these ladies stored their boat.

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What about people who can't afford consent check ups?

 

Such is the nature of our great republic that cost can stand in the way of survival for anyone without sufficient means, though there are organizations which will cover costs and help people get a check-up and treatment.

 

Often costs are footed by counties and/or states, despite the economy California still has much of this in place. I believe it has been the goal of Universal Healthcare, that everyone would be able to seek treatment they need, particularly where it's a matter of survival. Somewhere in the mudslinging America lost a lot of its sense of humanity. (It's quite astounding to see how Americans pulled together in the 1940's and 50's compared to today.)

 

Many countries (and contributors to this board) have a form of National Healthcare, so it's not such a grim sentence to feel unwell and be unable to have a check.

 

Are there caches in Canada or the UK saluting national healthcare?

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I probably wouldn't put a cache out asking for money, rather in the log book mention a charity or two to donate to if people feel the need. And if I went to a cache I likely wouldn't leave money thinking it was a scam.

 

That being said I leave pink ribbon lanyards in caches regularly to show my support and I know there's come pink ribbon geocoins out there too.

 

Sadly I think you would get push back on even that. Advocacy is Advocacy. Breast Cancer awareness is something I think few people oppose. But then if some other cache advocates a controversial position, how do they deal with that? Say yes to some, no to others? Tough call.

 

That said, you could probably stock it with generic pink items, ribbons, magnets etc without causing a ruckus. Victoria Secret Pink might cause too much traffic and damage the environment. :anibad:

 

I really like the idea of a travel bug or a Geocoin. You could give it a goal to visit caches around BC events. I had found a Chinese geocoin and carried it through about 4 weeks of practices in a dragon boat. In the final week we raced to raise money for a local BC survivor support group. The race was in a NJ state park with a big lake and plenty of caches, many of which I found after each practice. I became very attached to that coin in the end but I left the coin in a cache overlooking the docks where these ladies stored their boat.

 

I picked up my Pink Yimes at the PO this morning, as timing would have it. Quite well done and a % goes to charity. I also pitched in what I could afford when a local cacher did the SGK 3 day walk. Y'see, I'm a survivor of a different cancer, but I recognize Breast Cancer as a valid concern, I think it's 1 in 6 women in the US will have it at some time in their lives, that's quite a high percentage. My own mother has been through it. We survivors gotta stick together and help those who may follow in our footsteps some day.

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What about people who can't afford consent check ups?

 

Such is the nature of our great republic that cost can stand in the way of survival for anyone without sufficient means, though there are organizations which will cover costs and help people get a check-up and treatment.

 

Often costs are footed by counties and/or states, despite the economy California still has much of this in place. I believe it has been the goal of Universal Healthcare, that everyone would be able to seek treatment they need, particularly where it's a matter of survival. Somewhere in the mudslinging America lost a lot of its sense of humanity. (It's quite astounding to see how Americans pulled together in the 1940's and 50's compared to today.)

 

Many countries (and contributors to this board) have a form of National Healthcare, so it's not such a grim sentence to feel unwell and be unable to have a check.

 

Are there caches in Canada or the UK saluting national healthcare?

 

Medicare/Medicaid for the elderly and poor. While the government has cut back on payments to physicians for diagnostic imaging procedures, mammography fees do not get cut. Charities like SGK support mobile mammography units. Even rich doctors and profit making hospitals and clinics offer free mammos to those in need. Breast cancer is arguably the best funded disease. But there is always more to be done.

 

Discussion of Obamacare is really touchy. Is there enough money to support it? Will it survive the next Congress? Who knows? Not a topic I wish to debate here.

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What about people who can't afford consent check ups?

 

Such is the nature of our great republic that cost can stand in the way of survival for anyone without sufficient means, though there are organizations which will cover costs and help people get a check-up and treatment.

 

Often costs are footed by counties and/or states, despite the economy California still has much of this in place. I believe it has been the goal of Universal Healthcare, that everyone would be able to seek treatment they need, particularly where it's a matter of survival. Somewhere in the mudslinging America lost a lot of its sense of humanity. (It's quite astounding to see how Americans pulled together in the 1940's and 50's compared to today.)

 

Many countries (and contributors to this board) have a form of National Healthcare, so it's not such a grim sentence to feel unwell and be unable to have a check.

 

Are there caches in Canada or the UK saluting national healthcare?

 

Medicare/Medicaid for the elderly and poor. While the government has cut back on payments to physicians for diagnostic imaging procedures, mammography fees do not get cut. Charities like SGK support mobile mammography units. Even rich doctors and profit making hospitals and clinics offer free mammos to those in need. Breast cancer is arguably the best funded disease. But there is always more to be done.

 

Discussion of Obamacare is really touchy. Is there enough money to support it? Will it survive the next Congress? Who knows? Not a topic I wish to debate here.

 

Agreed, there's better places for donning the Nomex suits and engaging in the debate.

 

I do recall, when I took a bad fall on a bike I was contacted by a county organization, asking if I needed any help with my medical bills (which were still considerable even with a policy through work.)

 

I like the idea of a cache to raise awareness - there are many things to be aware of. Just over two years ago we lost a legendary geocacher and fine fellow to a surprise heart attack. Get those checkups! If you are reminded to do it by a cache, so much the better.

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The TB sounds like a good idea! One other suggestion for an alternative (or maybe an addition), since TB's notoriously go missing. And even when they do move, it may not be as quickly or wide-ranging as you would like. What about a signature item, maybe branded with a website or something explaining what you are doing. Or baggie it with a card explaining what you are doing, and ask them to e-mail you. Or something like that. That way you could drop as many or as few as you wanted, and spread them out wherever you want. Anyways, just another suggestion. Good luck with your idea! :anibad:

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Are there caches in Canada or the UK saluting national healthcare?

 

Not that I know of, but I know a few cachers who are very thankful for free emergency room visits!

 

And no one gets turned away from an American emergency room due to inability to pay either. Laws prohibiting that were passed 25 years ago. But, because there is no compensation paid to the hospital (something that Obamacare seeks to change), the hospital that draws too many charity cases will eventually go bankrupt and close.

 

 

Edit: sorry, back to the original topic. If you release a travel bug to send to caches near various event sites, I'll give you the park where the BC survivor races take place maybe you can put it on the target list.

Edited by John in Valley Forge
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Are there caches in Canada or the UK saluting national healthcare?

 

Not that I know of, but I know a few cachers who are very thankful for free emergency room visits!

 

And no one gets turned away from an American emergency room due to inability to pay either. Laws prohibiting that were passed 25 years ago. But, because there is no compensation paid to the hospital (something that Obamacare seeks to change), the hospital that draws too many charity cases will eventually go bankrupt and close.

 

 

Edit: sorry, back to the original topic. If you release a travel bug to send to caches near various event sites, I'll give you the park where the BC survivor races take place maybe you can put it on the target list.

 

Well I'm glad that none of my fellow geocachers in the US can be turned away from a hospital, but I'm still thankful that if I sustain any geocaching-related injuries, neither I nor the hospital will be in financial trouble. :anibad:

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For the past few years, I've been doing Susan G. Komen race for the cure (because I like running and I like my boobs to be cancer-free). A friend suggested that I couple my interest in geocaching with SGK, and put out a "pink" themed cache.

 

My concern is the rule that states "Solicitations are off-limits. For example, caches perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not permitted."

 

I wouldn't be soliciting cachers to raise funds... I'd be making a donation in their honor. For every cacher who signs the logbook, I would donate a dollar to Susan G. Komen in their honor (via a donation website that I made), and there would be pink ribbons in the cache container as swag.....

 

This is an interesting angle to to the question. You are not asking anybody to support anything. You are not calling for an action on their part. Those are normally the test. For example "Think about how breast cancer has impacted your friends and family". That's an agenda. "1 in every X women and 1 in every X men gets breast cancer" is a fact. Not a call for action. Even though both may make you think.

 

I think the cache is possible with some work on the wording with your reviewer.

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