Governments getting involved with geocaching? What now?

[+Scooby-Doo Crew]

The tourism department of the county I live in has gotten into the caching game. They are starting to put out caches and promoting caching as an activity to do in the county. Sounds good right? Well, there is a local cache that is really popular and has been there for years but the County placed a cache less than the required 10th of a mile to it which has not been published yet. Cachers have started posting about this mysterious un-published cache that they are finding as they hunt for the long time cache. Will both caches be allowed? Will the County win and the original cache have to be pulled? We are waiting and watching.

 

The county cache is just a .50 cal ammo box with a GC sticker on the outside and it is placed right inside the gate of a cemetry with no effort to conceal it at all, sloppy from start to finish. Just walk in the gate and look down. The original cache is at the back of the property cammoed and is easy to miss if you're not careful and is really popular.

 

What is going to happen? There are a lot of caches out there on public property that one day may be covented by local governments and whom do you think will win? Get ready, I don't see GC.com saying no to local governments wanting to join in even if the small frys get pushed out of the way.

 

I feel like an indian in an old western lamenting over the coming of the white man........

[GOF and Bacall]

If the original has permission I don't see how Groundspeak can ethically force it out. However, if the county controls the cemetery they can revoke permission. It would be a pretty crummy thing to do but out of gs's control.

[+geodarts]

The county cache is not published on this site so for now I would not get too worried about all the possible ramifications.

[+sword fern]

The tourism department of the county I live in has gotten into the caching game. They are starting to put out caches and promoting caching as an activity to do in the county. Sounds good right? Well, there is a local cache that is really popular and has been there for years but the County placed a cache less than the required 10th of a mile to it which has not been published yet. Cachers have started posting about this mysterious un-published cache that they are finding as they hunt for the long time cache. Will both caches be allowed? Will the County win and the original cache have to be pulled? We are waiting and watching.

 

The county cache is just a .50 cal ammo box with a GC sticker on the outside and it is placed right inside the gate of a cemetry with no effort to conceal it at all, sloppy from start to finish. Just walk in the gate and look down. The original cache is at the back of the property cammoed and is easy to miss if you're not careful and is really popular.

 

What is going to happen? There are a lot of caches out there on public property that one day may be covented by local governments and whom do you think will win? Get ready, I don't see GC.com saying no to local governments wanting to join in even if the small frys get pushed out of the way.

 

I feel like an indian in an old western lamenting over the coming of the white man........

 

Your county probably placed it there and when it didn't get approved, they forgot about it and left it there.... All I know is as long as its unpublished it might be allowed. But why don't the finders hide it better instead of just keeping it there?

[+sword fern]

The county cache is not published on this site so for now I would not get too worried about all the possible ramifications.

 

You just had to hit "add reply" button at the same time as me, did you?

[+LukeTrocity]

The tourism department of the county I live in has gotten into the caching game. They are starting to put out caches and promoting caching as an activity to do in the county. Sounds good right? Well, there is a local cache that is really popular and has been there for years but the County placed a cache less than the required 10th of a mile to it which has not been published yet. Cachers have started posting about this mysterious un-published cache that they are finding as they hunt for the long time cache. Will both caches be allowed? Will the County win and the original cache have to be pulled? We are waiting and watching.

 

The county cache is just a .50 cal ammo box with a GC sticker on the outside and it is placed right inside the gate of a cemetry with no effort to conceal it at all, sloppy from start to finish. Just walk in the gate and look down. The original cache is at the back of the property cammoed and is easy to miss if you're not careful and is really popular.

 

What is going to happen? There are a lot of caches out there on public property that one day may be covented by local governments and whom do you think will win? Get ready, I don't see GC.com saying no to local governments wanting to join in even if the small frys get pushed out of the way.

 

I feel like an indian in an old western lamenting over the coming of the white man........

 

If the original cache has adequate permission it SHOULD be ok. Unless of course the town revokes it. Personally I think your best course of action is find out who is in charge of this new geocaching initiative and get their ear. Wouldn't it be nice if you specifically were helping your county direct where Geocaches in the area were going? It would probably also give you car blanche on where they go as well.

 

In short, this could be an opportunity not a distressing situation.

[+Manville Possum]

Our County tourism cached in on the geotourism last year. We are having another event this year, which is during our Clinch Mountain Music Festival.

[+Mitragorz]

Muggle it!

[AZcachemeister]

 

I feel like an indian in an old western lamenting over the coming of the white man........

 

In short, this could be an opportunity not a distressing situation.

 

I agree.

This could be the opportunity of a lifetime to add your real-life Geocaching experience to your county's effort.

 

Don't just sit on the sidelines and cry about it, get in there and help them!

[+Scooby-Doo Crew]

Muggle it!

LOL!

[+Scooby-Doo Crew]

 

I feel like an indian in an old western lamenting over the coming of the white man........

 

In short, this could be an opportunity not a distressing situation.

 

I agree.

This could be the opportunity of a lifetime to add your real-life Geocaching experience to your county's effort.

 

Don't just sit on the sidelines and cry about it, get in there and help them!

You guys are right. I'll call tomorrow to offer help. I hope that they would see clashing with the caching community as a bad thing and that they are joining that community not running it.

[+BaylorGrad]

Muggle it!

LOL!

 

That was actually going to be my vote as well.

[+ThePirateGnome]

GS should not publish it unless it is moved but you guys are right if the county revokes permission of the old cache. I don't see this happening if they want to promote tourism. You would think that the would want all the caches they can get in the county if that is how they are trying to get people to visit.

[+Scooby-Doo Crew]

GS should not publish it unless it is moved but you guys are right if the county revokes permission of the old cache. I don't see this happening if they want to promote tourism. You would think that the would want all the caches they can get in the county if that is how they are trying to get people to visit.

The picture in the paper showed two ladies with IPones hiding an ammo box in some monkey grass in the middle of a median. They may be newer to caching than me! I don't know if I can help but maybe I can see if they would like help from an experienced cacher from my area.

[+ThePirateGnome]

GS should not publish it unless it is moved but you guys are right if the county revokes permission of the old cache. I don't see this happening if they want to promote tourism. You would think that the would want all the caches they can get in the county if that is how they are trying to get people to visit.

The picture in the paper showed two ladies with IPones hiding an ammo box in some monkey grass in the middle of a median. They may be newer to caching than me! I don't know if I can help but maybe I can see if they would like help from an experienced cacher from my area.

 

Yeah, It sounds like you may want to offer some help. The center median of a road does not sound like a very safe place to place a cache to me. I think if you approach it right and offer your assistance they will be willing to let you help. It would be much better to have a number of fun well placed caches than a bunch of poorly placed and dangerous caches. Talk to them and offer your help and tell them your concerns. It can' hurt to try.

Edited May 20, 2011 by ThePirateGnome

[+tec_64]

Is it published on "that other website"?

 

The county cache is not published on this site so for now I would not get too worried about all the possible ramifications.

[+TL&MinBHIL]

If their intention is to use Geocaching as a tool to promote tourism within the county, then their agenda may be more business oriented (attracting people hoping they'll spend money within the county). If that's the case, which it isn't so far fetched to think it is, then you should point out to them that that's not really in the spirit of Geocaching. If they're not putting any effort into it and just dropping them willy-nilly here & there, then I'd say they could use a little help. Teach them how it's done properly and maybe they'll benefit from it. *in my best 'Field of Dreams' whispering voice* If they hide it, cachers will come.

 

Added: Was looking through the Knowledge Books for something else and came across this. Might be worth noting since some of it may apply to your situation and you may be able to use it to strengthen your case.

 

4. Solicitation and Commercial Content

 

1. Geocaches do not solicit for any purpose. Geocaches perceived to be posted for religious, political, charitable or social agendas are not

permitted. Geocaching is intended to be a light and enjoyable family-friendly hobby, not a platform for an agenda.

2. Commercial caches are disallowed. As a general rule, reviewers will not publish cache pages that seem commercial. A commercial cache has one or

more of the following characteristics:

1. It requires the finder to go inside a business, interact with employees and/or purchase a product or service.

2. It has overtones of advertising, marketing or promotion.

3. It contains links to businesses, commercial advertisers, charities, political agendas or social agendas.

4. It contains the logo of a business or organization, including non-profit organizations.

5. The name of a business or commercial product is on the cache page.

6. On very rare occasions, Groundspeak makes an exception for a commercial cache. Arrangements are made before placement. If your cache is commercial in any way, please contact Groundspeak for clarification about how to comply with cache listing guidelines.

 

The picture in the paper showed two ladies with IPones hiding an ammo box in some monkey grass in the middle of a median. They may be newer to caching than me!

PS. Using an iPhone doesn't always = a brand new cacher. (I've been using one since we started last year)

Edited May 20, 2011 by TL&MinBHIL

[+cmar22]

Is putting out 6000 geico geckos commercialization?

[+popokiiti]

Muggle it!

 

Naughty...............but, nice! Very nice....

[+TL&MinBHIL]

Is putting out 6000 geico geckos commercialization?

Good point, but they've got it covered.

 

6. On very rare occasions, Groundspeak makes an exception for a commercial cache. Arrangements are made before placement.

[+Castle Mischief]

Is putting out 6000 geico geckos commercialization?

Good point, but they've got it covered.

 

6. On very rare occasions, Groundspeak makes an exception for a commercial cache. Arrangements are made before placement.

 

That and the commercial guidelines don't apply to trackables.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Is putting out 6000 geico geckos commercialization?

Good point, but they've got it covered.

 

6. On very rare occasions, Groundspeak makes an exception for a commercial cache. Arrangements are made before placement.

A bit OT, what?

 

Besides, Travel Bugs are not caches. The "commercialization" aspect has no bearing on Travel Bugs. Don't believe me? Read it again.

---------

 

Back On-Topic...

I hardly think that desiring visitors to one's community enters the realm of commercialization. Sure, tourism is big bucks, but that is the case nearly everywhere, cache or no cache: Come to the Big Apple, at least once in your lifetime; Come to England to maybe see the Queen; Come to Florida for the beaches; Come to Seattle to meet the Frog; Come to Australia to hug a koala; Come to Michigan for the Lakes; Come to France for the wine; and on and on and on.........

[+farrtom]

I have permission from the city to hide a cache at a local historic site. The site is visited regularly by tourists and I thought this would be a great way to introduce cachers to the history of the area. They also have some promotional swag (pins, stress balls, postcards, ect..) that they have offered to donate to the cache.

[Keystone]

You guys are right. I'll call tomorrow to offer help. I hope that they would see clashing with the caching community as a bad thing and that they are joining that community not running it.

I think it's great that you reacted positively to the suggestions about helping out. If you feel you're too new, write to a local geocacher with lots of caches that you've enjoyed finding, preferably in parks or areas of historical interest, and ask if they would be willing to help.

 

I've seen government, tourism board and land manager geocache placements since literally the first week I started reviewing caches (exactly eight years ago). Here are some observations:

 

1. On average, programs completed with the assistance of an expert geocacher are more successful than "amateur" efforts. An exception is when someone affiliated with the park, chamber of commerce, bike trail, etc., is also an active geocacher.

 

2. Reviewers will bend over backwards to make exceptions to listing guidelines, including the Cache Saturation guideline, in order to accommodate a land manager placement. This is preferable to forcing the archival of existing caches. Many of the listing guidelines exist in order to prevent land managers from getting upset at our game, so if they don't mind having two caches in the same cemetery, why should we?

 

3. It's common for the planning and placement process for one of these programs to take weeks or months to complete. Also, the listing guidelines ask for all the caches to be submitted on ten days advance notice, if they are to be published all at once. This helps the reviewer manage their workload, and allows time to resolve problems (like cache saturation or commercialism) well in advance of the publicized launch date). So, that is why people have been finding the unpublished cache.

 

Do let us know how you make out with your efforts to assist with this program.

[+WRASTRO]

You guys are right. I'll call tomorrow to offer help. I hope that they would see clashing with the caching community as a bad thing and that they are joining that community not running it.

I think it's great that you reacted positively to the suggestions about helping out. If you feel you're too new, write to a local geocacher with lots of caches that you've enjoyed finding, preferably in parks or areas of historical interest, and ask if they would be willing to help.

 

I've seen government, tourism board and land manager geocache placements since literally the first week I started reviewing caches (exactly eight years ago). Here are some observations:

 

1. On average, programs completed with the assistance of an expert geocacher are more successful than "amateur" efforts. An exception is when someone affiliated with the park, chamber of commerce, bike trail, etc., is also an active geocacher.

 

2. Reviewers will bend over backwards to make exceptions to listing guidelines, including the Cache Saturation guideline, in order to accommodate a land manager placement. This is preferable to forcing the archival of existing caches. Many of the listing guidelines exist in order to prevent land managers from getting upset at our game, so if they don't mind having two caches in the same cemetery, why should we?

 

3. It's common for the planning and placement process for one of these programs to take weeks or months to complete. Also, the listing guidelines ask for all the caches to be submitted on ten days advance notice, if they are to be published all at once. This helps the reviewer manage their workload, and allows time to resolve problems (like cache saturation or commercialism) well in advance of the publicized launch date). So, that is why people have been finding the unpublished cache.

 

Do let us know how you make out with your efforts to assist with this program.

I just want to say thank you for your eight years of dedicated service to our game. You are and have been one of the cornerstones of the game. Geocaching would not be the fun and the success it is today if not for your efforts and contributions. We know you are but one of the cogs, but you are one of the cogs that enables the machine to run.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[sabrefan7]

Some times it doesn't work out to well to promote tourism. A County to the north of me placed a series of 8 caches in 2007. The user has not logged in in almost 2 years and 6 of the 8 have been archived by a reviewer for non maintenance. Its a great idea but Im betting the "its not my job" wins out when they have to take care of them.

[+A & J Tooling]

I like the muggle idea the best. Or call it in as a questionable package.

Edited May 20, 2011 by A & J Tooling

[+zapfrog]

Let us know how everything turns out and it's a good idea to help them out.

[+Dread_Pirate_Bruce]

I'm going to guess that you do not live in the State of Nevada.