Girlguiding - new geocaching badge

[+batzat]

Is anyone here involved in Girlguiding?

 

In the change of programme, they have released a new interest badge for Guides; the geocaching badge. Have you seen the syllabus? What are your thoughts?

 

Personally, although I am glad that they have included this in the re-vamped badges, it reads like the people creating the badge know nothing of geocaching and what goes into it. One of the clauses is to release a new geocache. My concern is that we will get an influx of new caches created by people with only 1 find, with no intention to maintain the cache.

 

Am I being too pessimistic? 

 

Michelle aka batzat

Guide leader in Surrey West

[+IceColdUK]

On 26/07/2018 at 6:44 AM, batzat said:

My concern is that we will get an influx of new caches created by people with only 1 find, with no intention to maintain the cache.

 

I’d be concerned too.  The odd new cache owned by a guide leader, to be maintained by the group, probably wouldn’t be too bad.  Is there anyway for you to provide feedback?

[+IceColdUK]

On 26/07/2018 at 6:44 AM, batzat said:

One of the clauses is to release a new geocache.

 

Do they actually mean release a TB?

[+colleda]

This is a common phenomena with scouting groups in the US. Your concerns are well founded as these geocaches, once the badge is earned, invariably end up unmaintained and eventually endure a lingering death.

[+batzat]

Please see in the photos the syllabus for the geocaching badge.

[+Max and 99]

Several years ago I led the geocaching activities where 175 Girl Scouts of various ages earned the Geocaching Try-it/Badge.  At the time there was NO requirement to place a cache.  I find these new rules disheartening. It is not good for the hobby!

 

 

[+batzat]

Yes - it certainly has me worried. If it was reworded to release a TB then that would be ok, but to release a cache, after potentially only ever finding one, has me concerned. 

[+IceColdUK]

On 18/08/2018 at 9:01 AM, batzat said:

Please see in the photos the syllabus for the geocaching badge.

 

This is all incredibly vague.  Do you think the intention is to publish caches on Geocaching.com or to create ‘temporary’ unlisted caches for the benefit of the exercise?

[Blue Square Thing]

2 hours ago, IceColdUK said:

 

This is all incredibly vague.  Do you think the intention is to publish caches on Geocaching.com or to create ‘temporary’ unlisted caches for the benefit of the exercise?

 

I should think it's open so that they can be published wherever the candidate wants them to be published. There are other listing sites for example and I should imagine that there would be issues with a voluntary organisation being tied in to just one listing. And I should think that if the details are never published anywhere then that would also be a way to complete the badge, although I think that's quite unlikely.

 

Personally I rather like the vagueness of it - it's been written in a way that allows a local interpretation to differ and so that there is more than one way to get the badge. That strikes me as a positive thing.

[+IceColdUK]

49 minutes ago, Blue Square Thing said:

Personally I rather like the vagueness of it - it's been written in a way that allows a local interpretation to differ and so that there is more than one way to get the badge. That strikes me as a positive thing.

 

To an extent, but if they are encouraging the listing of caches (on gc.com or elsewhere), I’d like to think that they are also making it clear that placing a cache is a long-term commitment.

[Blue Square Thing]

5 minutes ago, IceColdUK said:

 

To an extent, but if they are encouraging the listing of caches (on gc.com or elsewhere), I’d like to think that they are also making it clear that placing a cache is a long-term commitment.

 

Yes, I don't disagree, but ultimately there are a tonne of caches left by premium members which seem to only last for a matter of a few weeks or which are clearly never maintained so I doubt it'll be any worse that that.

[+nikky_evans]

I think it is a good thing - yes it is vague to allow for newbies and those who have done some before.  One of my Guides has just completed hers (bored over summer, supportive mum!) and put a lot of thought into her cache which is near her house.  She also has done a vlog about it all  info about TBs, D/T, container types etc for part 3 which was pretty good!  Lots of caches are not maintained or placed by those who have not found that many yet.  Got to start somewhere!  To be fair my Guides have done some caching as a unit with me, and we have a unit TB - which has sadly just gone MIA just a 100miles or so from its  target destination in USA.  We also have a County group (adults) who meet regularly to cache and a County campsite which has private caches girls can find or place.