Adult Geocaching?

June 18, 2001

Let me first say that I'm new to geocaching and I think the idea is wonderful. I stumbled upon it in the Sunday Star-Ledger here in NJ. I love the idea that it's a game the whole family can enjoy...being outdoors...enjoying the fresh air (even in NJ)...spending time away from the stressful environment we call WORK.

What surprised me was that there were no "Adult" geocaches?

I know the game is truly a Family game and it should be that way, but I'm curious if anyone came across one of those?

June 18, 2001

I have not, and I would prefer to keep it that way.

June 18, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by NJcacher:
What surprised me was that there were no "Adult" geocaches?

Why are you surprised? Do you find it hard to believe that there are some things that are NOT "adult" in nature?

quote:
I know the game is truly a Family game and it should be that way...

I think you've answered your own question.

June 18, 2001

What do you mean by "ADULT" cache?

Q. Got any nude pictures of your wife?

A. Well you can find one at N45...

Rusty...

June 18, 2001

a few items have made it into caches. ( I didn't put them there) so don't be too shocked, but you may want to look before you let the kids dig thru.

AZMark

June 18, 2001

Well, I'd have to say that the majority of folks who play the game would be extremely offended to find an adult cache, and would most likely remove the offending material. I suppose there are some darker sides of the net that would like to do this, but I'd prefer if they played elsewhere.

For me it's less of a personal moral decision than just trying to make it a relatively inoffensive game. It's not a game that is sexual in nature, so it's not really appropriate anyway.

Jeremy

June 18, 2001

I assume by 'Adult' he means not appropriate for minors. This doesn't necessarily mean pornographic or offensive, but it seems most respondents have made that assumption.

A cache could contain perfectly moral items which only an adult can appreciate which would classify the cache as 'Adult' in nature.

June 18, 2001

I'd say it was a good assumption given the context. Saying "I know this is a family oriented game, but..."

Jeremy

June 18, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by makaio:
I assume by 'Adult' he means not appropriate for minors. This doesn't necessarily mean pornographic or offensive, but it seems most respondents have made that assumption.

Get real! We all know what it means in this context and so do you.

June 18, 2001

I am being real - and open minded, unlike most of the rest of the replies. I don't want to see any pornographic items in a cache I open either. But I certainly wouldn't mind finding useable items other than the typical worthless trinkets and toys most caches contain.

I'm not saying the assumptions were wrong, just offering a different view to what could be considered an 'Adult' cache.

[This message has been edited by makaio (edited 18 June 2001).]

June 18, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by makaio:
I don't want to see any pornographic items in a cache I open either. But I certainly wouldn't mind finding useable items other than the typical worthless trinkets and toys most caches contain.

I'm not saying the assumptions were wrong, just offering a different view to what could be considered an 'Adult' cache.

That's fair. Just to clarify, what sort of "useable items" have you placed in your caches and what is your idea of a non-pornographic "adult" cache?

June 18, 2001

I am sorry I struck a nerve... I was merely surprised that a game with so much attention has not taken a different "spin".

It seems everything nowadays is about sex. Sex sells, and I was surprised this wasn't the case.

Pleasantly surprised.

June 18, 2001

. It's a subject that hadn't yet come up and has so far provided some good feedback, imo.

June 18, 2001

An "adult" cache that has crossed my mind would be to place a bottle of beer say somewhere up in the mountains where it would be a little difficult to get. Then each cacher that searches for that cache would take the beer and leave a different brand for the next cacher. Of course, this would be explained in detail on the geocache page and if people were to find this offensive, they could just stay home.

------------------

Echosgold

www.Outdoor-Dog.com -Gear for Active Dogs!

www.Outdoor-Dog.com/Geocache -Echosgold Geocache

June 18, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by makaio:
I haven't placed any caches with the notion they by only for adults (yet?),... Basically anything that would be appreciated more by an adult than a child.

Why would you go out of your way to make a cache NOT for everyone?

My children go with me on many cache hunts and they don't really care what we find. It's the search that's exciting to them. I think most people feel that way. It's not what's inside that's important.

Most of the time we don't even take anything, but we always leave something.

I don't think too many people are concerned about the contents of a cache being "useable".

If I want something useable, I'll go buy it.

June 18, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by makaio:
NJ - no apologies necessary, sir. It's a subject that hadn't yet come up and has so far provided some good feedback, imo.

I agree, who cares if everything in these forums is 100% PC, almost anything should be fair game to at least bring up. If it gets shot down you just file it and move on.

My first reply was toungue in cheek but I also saw two meanings to the question of an adult cache. I think an 'adult' cache would be fine, not necessarily one that isn't appropriate for kids but more like one that would appeal to adults more than kids. I very seldom take any "treasures" anyway, the search is the fun for me.

A cache with a high terrain rating 4/5 is probably an adult cache, a cache could be based on a cultural theme to appeal to adults, or the contents could be more age appropriate for adults and none of these would have to have any sexual connotations.

On the other hand who is to say someone can't place an "adult" cache such as what everyone is assuming. It would be easy to state the theme up front, look for it if interested, if not don't look for it. It would have a lot of negativity attached but as I was told recently "there should be room for many different viewpoints and if I don't like it just ignore it." (or something very close to that... I didn't pay much attention)

Rusty...

June 18, 2001

Regarding alcohol, tobacco, drugs (illegal and legal), they're all a bad idea. Adult items like a tire gauge would be ok but something that could be discovered and used by a minor is a pretty bad idea.

I personally don't add or take anything anymore, and prefer taking a picture and writing in the logbook.

Jeremy

June 18, 2001

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

June 18, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by jeremy:
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 agree.

In my neck of the woods, a cache like that would probably end up in a dumpster.

June 18, 2001

Let us please keep "adult" caches to mean they are filled with a Perry Como CD, a lace doily, Poligrip, Ben-Gay, Metamucil, and Ammonium AD.

Now, brothers and sisters...that's an "adult" cache.

Rob

June 18, 2001

I personally agree with the general consensus on here, not becuase I'm offended but becuase of the reasons Jeremy gives. A cache should never contain anything illegal for the person finding it to posess and there is no way to predetermine the age of the finder. Alcohol has to also fall into this category. I did a quick search though and came up with this one

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=880

It's a cache hidden on or near a nudist resort, not sure which. Is that appropriate? I've never been to one but we have one nearby and they advertise themselves as 'family' orietented and encourage families to visit, so is it considered adult? Can the location be adult while the cache is kidsafe? Something else to chew on.

Rusty...

[This message has been edited by rusty (edited 18 June 2001).]

June 18, 2001

Good point, rusty. Nudism isn't pornographic, although some bible thumpers might think otherwise. Still, I don't think I'd take my daughter to a cache (she hunts with me most of the time) if there were the chance naked people might be visible. Now that I thnk of it, my Sauvie Island cache is within a few miles of a well-known nude beach, but certainly not close enough that any cache hunters would cross paths with the nature lovers. I think there's plenty of room for a cache geared only for adults just as there are already caches geared only for children. I also rarely take anything when I find them, but I always make sure to put a few things someone could use in those that I place, as opposed to crap from my junk drawer. If I want to get rid of junk, I'll throw it away.

June 19, 2001

Not trying to be a feminist nazi, but there might be an adult who would find the porn offensive. Even some racially sensitive things could be offensive. Alcohol and tobacco is illegal to minors, and making a cache with those in it would attract those who should not be.

I don't know about you, but at 20 I wasn't hiking with my parents, but it was still illegal for me to drink alcohol. You can't always expect that "minors" will be supervised.

I think the word "adult" has been corrputed by our society. Even "mature" has some different connotations. If you want a cache with more than just trinkets, seek out the hard to find ones. They usually have higher returns than the ones found in a city park. To sum up my ramblings, if you want a cache with more than junk, put a price floor on it - nothing below $10 or something to that effect.

June 19, 2001

Please, no. I take my two small children with me when we're geocaching. Please, please don't ruin a good thing for us.

I applaud Jeremy for his policy, and ask all of those visiting and setting up caches not to put anything in that would offend or corrupt my children.

Thanks. And let's have fun out there.

June 19, 2001

Does this mean I should cancel my plans to place a cache on the grounds of the Playboy Mansion?

"That is a GPS in my pocket *and* I'm happy to see you!"

June 19, 2001

Call me an old poop, but I find that most of the time when people talk about things as being 'adult' or 'mature' they are really refering to things that I find childish and immature. Being a mature adult is knowing how to put a cap on your baser instincts, not parading them around in public.

Thank you Jeremy for taking what I think of as being a mature stand on this issue.

Cephas 'Old Poop' Hawke

Bedford, NH

Live Free or Die

June 19, 2001

I have noted an adult cache, Indian Creek Shelter Cache in Indiana contains cigars, since you have to be adult to smoke I reckon this might qualify.

June 20, 2001

I have no problem with Pornography.(hell, I've been known to sample it myself from time to time )

That said, I don't really think that this is an appropriate place for it. Many of us consider this to be a way to spend "Quality Time" with the kids. There is enough in our world that they are gonna see and hear, that we don't want to go and spoil something as "wholesome" as this new sport.

Maybe in time, when it has grown, and there are a lot more caches out there, an adult cache may be less offensive to people, but please, for now, lets keep this "clean"

Joey

June 20, 2001

By the way NJcacher, we are practically neighbors! Maybe we'll run into one another on a hunt oneday.

Joey

June 20, 2001

Wow...look at that. A group of friends and I were probably going to head out this weekend to find our first geocache. Do you suggest any? (Sorry this is now going a little off topic)

June 20, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by c.mathis:
Why would you go out of your way to make a cache NOT for everyone?

Because I prefer other than just plain "Tupperware at a lat/long" caches. I'm about to place one that uses hard puzzles to get from one cache leg to the next. I certainly don't consider it "for everyone" and I am stating that in the description.

It's not that I hate kids (well, maybe a little ), but I love puzzles, and I hope others will design this sort of cache too.

------------------

> Martin

Magellan 330 (1.56/WAAS enabled!)

Don't have time to program and record your shows while geocaching? Get a TiVo !

June 20, 2001

te:

Originally posted by martinp13:

Because I prefer other than just plain "Tupperware at a lat/long" caches. I'm about to place one that uses hard puzzles to get from one cache leg to the next. I certainly don't consider it "for everyone" and I am stating that in the description.

I believe this thread is discussing the appropriateness of the contents of a cache, not how hard it is to find.

June 20, 2001

NJ, I haven't found any yet. I read the same article you did in the ledger. My GPS unit should be in next week, and I hope to start then!

Joey

June 20, 2001

My two cents...

An "adult" cache, which I define as containing items that are most likely illegal for a minor to posess (alcohol, pornography, firearms) is fine, as long as it's labeled as such.

I dunno about you guys, but in several caches around in the Portland metro area, I've found bullets and firecrackers. Firecrackers are completely illegal in Oregon and I believe it's illegal for a minor to posess ammunition. I've also ran into a cache that had alcohol in it.

Someone mentioned, "Don't you guys want to make a cache that's accessiable by all?" ...No, not always. What about underwater caches that require SCUBA gear? Or 5/5 caches? You're excluding people.

I think as long as everyone is mature about it, adult-themed caches are fine.

Of course, you have no real way of excluding a 15-year-old from such a cache. So, if you've got a vague amount of morals or ethics like I do, you will probably avoid placing such a cache.

June 20, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by Exocet:
An "adult" cache, which I define as containing items that are most likely illegal for a minor to posess (alcohol, pornography, firearms) is fine, as long as it's labeled as such... I've found bullets and firecrackers.

Anyone who would place firearms, ammunition or explosives (firecrackers) in a cache is an idiot.

June 20, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by Exocet:
I think as long as everyone is mature about it, adult-themed caches are fine.

Of course, you have no real way of excluding a 15-year-old from such a cache. So, if you've got a vague amount of morals or ethics like I do, you will probably avoid placing such a cache.

I agree. It's about keeping kids from stumbling on it.

June 21, 2001

Anyone who would place a cache containing ANYTHING which would be inappropriate for a kid to possess is irresponsible!

I have five kids. Four of them are teens and three of them drive and can get to just about anyplace they want to go. They are good kids, and my wife and I have tried to teach them high standards, but there are no guarantees with kids. You do the best you can and hope they see the benefits of maintaining the values you've taught them.

I'll probably hear about the need for more 'parental supervision'. People who embrace that idea have never had kids.

This I promise you ... if I see a posting for an 'adults only' cache in my area (and you know what I mean) it will be plundered!!!

WJJagFan

[This message has been edited by WJJagfan (edited 21 June 2001).]

June 21, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by WJJagfan:
Anyone who would place a cache containing ANYTHING which would be inappropriate for a kid to possess is irresponsible!

This I promise you ... if I see a posting for an 'adults only' cache in my area (and you know what I mean) it will be plundered!!!

I agree. Inappropriate caches will just disappear.

June 21, 2001

"Plundering" caches is not a good idea. It isn't a precedent you want to set. I think shunning the cache and the person who set it is a MUCH more mature exanple to set for our kids.

Censorship is NEVER a good thing.

Joey

June 21, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by Big Jack VI:
"Plundering" caches is not a good idea. It isn't a precedent you want to set. I think shunning the cache and the person who set it is a MUCH more mature exanple to set for our kids.

Censorship is NEVER a good thing.

Censorship is when you try to prevent someone from having something. You can have all the porn and dangerous items you want, you just can't place them where my children might find them.

I don't want geocaching to became a sport where you have to tell people, "It's a great family activity, but you have to watch out for the pornography, bullets, firecrackers and knives in some of the caches"!

June 21, 2001

ache, and you are not into that, Leave it alone. You already know that it contains items of no interest to you. There is no reason for you to mess with someones cache.

What if the person whose cache you plundered decides to plunder someone elses "normal" cache as revenge?

Once again, trashing someones cache is NOT cool!

Joey

June 21, 2001

There's no reason to plunder or trash such caches. First of all, the cache won't be listed on geocaching.com as an adult cache per Jeremy's previous post. If it does slip by or if someone finds such a cache, they could swap out all the inappropriate items. Or a simple email to Jeremy about the cache and I'm sure he would not hesitate to remove the page from the site. Placing items in a cache that are either dangerous or illegal for minors is at least irresponsible, and quite possibly illegal itself, unless the cache is monitored 24/7 to ensure that unaccompanied minors don't accidentally find it.

Bob

quote:
Originally posted by jeremy:
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

June 21, 2001

quote:
Originally posted by bob_renner:
There's no reason to plunder or trash such caches. First of all, the cache won't be listed on geocaching.com as an adult cache per Jeremy's previous post. If it does slip by or if someone finds such a cache, they could swap out all the inappropriate items. Or a simple email to Jeremy about the cache and I'm sure he would not hesitate to remove the page from the site.

I can live with that.

June 22, 2001

Cool!

June 23, 2001

Sorry, but if someone puts a bomb (and I consider placement of an 'adults only' cache to be just that) in my area; I'm not just going to defuse it and leave it there.

And you've got to be kidding if you think that posting a 'warning' that the cache is adults only is going to make a kid with a gps not visit the site.

Come on people, quit making excuses. If you want to view that stuff it's your choice, but keep it in your own home.

WJJagFan

June 24, 2001

Hey, if you want to find ADULT PORN, go to the ADULT BOOKSTORE !!!

If your upset that you find worthless trinkets in a cache that you sought..

GET A LIFE !!!

When I visit a cache, I leave behind useually at least 2 items, one for the kids, and then something practical..

I am notorius for leaving compasses behind..

I buy them up at Walmart in the clearance rack for about 3 bucks a piece..

Then I ALWAYS leave something for the children..

It might be a Snoopy Bobber, or some McDonalds Toy.. Or something...

I collect Marbles, I have an ubundance of near worthless cat eyes and now I know what to do with them...

Adult Caches you say ?

Find some other place to get your ROCKS OFF !!!

June 28, 2001

Haha! Thanks for summing up, what I assume, many people on this thread has been thinking. Personally, I don't see why one must even place such material in a cache to make it "fun" or "worth while". You can easily create a more fun, worth while experience by placing clean items in a cache. My first cache I found had an awsome swiss arm knife inside, which I took. I'd have rather found that than a Penthouse magazine. I can't understand why one would even feel the need to place those particular items in a cache to begin with.

http://k2.kirtland.cc.mi.us/~salesj/geocache.html

July 4, 2001

I don't see any problem with adult geocaching as long as geocaching.com is not a part of it. I saw some advil in a cache, not really a big deal. But it goes against the basic rule no drugs OTC or otherwise. We live in a society with rules, some choose to break the rules- just don't do it here and wreck a great sport for others.

OutaCahe

July 4, 2001

I am new at this, but let me tell you about my McIrish Clan. We always go together. My father is 78, I am 47 and my son is 16. I am happy to say out of the small number of caches we have discovered they have all had appropriate items for all ages. Some geared more to kids, but lets face it....if we are out here doing this, then we are young at heart and get a kick out of bubbles and playdough. Thank you Jeremey for keeping the standards appropriate for all!

July 4, 2001

Well said McIrish,I think I've heard enough about this one.

Adult Geocaching?

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