How do you motivate your group to search?

[+mrpaseo]

On a caching day we decide how many we are going to find, for an example, today we searched for five caches. We each (Wife daughter and I) started with five one dollar bills.

 

We would read everything we could on a cache (Description and logs), then move to the area. We would all search for the cache. When it was found, the other cachers in the party paid (In this case) one dollar to the one that found it. So here is how we started:

 

Wife: $5

Daughter: $5

Me: $5

 

My wife found the first cache, so after we logged the cache and then we settled up, my daughter and I each gave "wifey" one of our dollars.

 

Wife: $7

Daughter: $4

Me: $4

 

We continued on until all five caches were found (Or not) and all the money was transferred. Here is how we did.

 

1st Found by wife:

Wife: $7, Daughter: $4, Me:$4

 

2nd found by me:

Wife: $6, Daughter: $3, Me: $6

 

3rd Found by daughter:

Wife: $5, Daughter: $5, Me: $5

 

4th Found by wife:

Wife: $7, Daughter: $4, Me: $4

 

5th we did not find (No exchange).

 

One stipulation, if we decide to use the hint, the ante is cut in half if everyone agrees. If one of us looks at the hint, then that cacher receives half payment and those that did not look receive the full ante.

 

This would work just as good with quarters for the little ones but mine in about to be 16 and she's all about the greenbacks.

 

Just a little twist to the fun,

Ray

[+JBnW]

That'll do. Our motivation is usually our 5 yo saying "Daddy, I wanna get one more! PLEEEAAASSSEE!!!

[+The_Incredibles_]

Great idea!

 

We've gone caching quite a bit with our kids and never really thought the motivation thing through. When we go out as a family, usually we bring other families along. The more kids, the more fun.

 

My 4 year old likes the swag.

 

My 11 year old enjoys going out if she can bring a close friend with her and they can play while we hunt. She's also a bit competitive. She likes to be the first to find a cache so she can brag about how good she is. Unfortunately, this backfires when she isn't the first to find because then she'll get upset.

 

For FTFs, the prospect of a money or prizes motivates my daughter. Unfortunately, there are not too many opportunities for this, but if there's money for FTF, my daughter will get out the door faster than me.

 

As for motivating other people, alot of people we go out with like to stand around and chat while I look for the cache. I'm definately open to suggestions.

Edited July 14, 2012 by The_Incredibles_

[+6NoisyHikers]

My family comes with me because they are worried I'll get eaten by bears. I thank them for their time by taking them to Tim Horton's afterward.

 

Edit to add: I have no idea how to make them search, only to get them outside.

Edited July 14, 2012 by 6NoisyHikers

[+Ohiosiouxfan]

Our problem is not motivating the family to find, but rather to NOT elbow each other while racing to make the find (three boys). We actually have to take turns and sometimes reserve the next search for them. Usually we let the finder be the one to open the cache.

[+TheMasses]

Our problem is not motivating the family to find, but rather to NOT elbow each other while racing to make the find (three boys). We actually have to take turns and sometimes reserve the next search for them. Usually we let the finder be the one to open the cache.

same here right down to the three boy & elbow issue.... lol

[DannyCaffeine]

I have some outdoorsy friends so I offer to take them caching sometimes. I suppose just make it fun for everyone. Make sure to bring snacks and choose locations that are fun for your seekers to find. Also don't snatch up the catch first and be a killjoy. If you always find it super fast and spoil it this can be a letdown for your fellow cachers. Just stand back and let them search mabey drop a hint to help them learn geosense.

 

Sorry if that was a random tangent. Those are just some things I have noticed.