+CacheCreatures Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 All the discussion of permission getting here left Mrs. CC and I feeling tentative regarding the whole subject. Recently though, we found an area that just screamed for some serious cache treatment. However, it was on private property. We almost said forget it. The time and effort and frustration commonly encountered by folks here had us convinced we ought to not even go there. Well despite all of that, we figured an email couldn't hurt. We presented the Director of the establishment with a well thought out and respectful email, which in turn led to a face to face meeting, and a week later we have permission. In fact, we might be taking him out for his first hunt sometime soon! So, this is for anyone out there on the fence. If its between no cache, and trying for permission, give it a try. If our experience is any gauge, you're in for a pleasant experience. Quote Link to comment
+Snoogans Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 Very cool. WAY TO GO. I tried talking to my local parks dept. They could care less either way. I guess it really depends on the person, since very few policies exist regarding geocaching. Sn gans Quote Link to comment
+Team Tecmage Posted January 16, 2004 Share Posted January 16, 2004 CC, Glad to hear the experience was a pleasant one. We have yet to have a bad experience seeking permission. I think a lot of the angst that you hear is because there are places where granting a Geocacher permission is not considered a priority. There can be a lot of bearucracy is getting permission, and in other places it is easy. The rest of what you are hearing is from cachers that feel seeking permission on public land is not (or should not) be necessary. Quote Link to comment
+CacheCreatures Posted January 16, 2004 Author Share Posted January 16, 2004 The rest of what you are hearing is from cachers that feel seeking permission on public land is not (or should not) be necessary. True enough. This was an interesting one. The land is actually publically owned, as the building on the land is a government run. So one could have made the argument it was public land and permission wasn't required. One thing I forgot to mention: it was a riot listening to him call the location and explain what I was coming over to do. "Uh well, Jason will be coming over bringing uh, well he'll show you. Basically, well this is really kind of silly but neat, I don't want to confuse you." laughing on both ends of the phone... "Its sort of a program that will bring new visitors. I'll explain more when I see you but, well for now, just let him put it there and uh, well just tell everyone I said it was ok." Too funny watching a Director giggle like a kid. He's a great guy and really seemed to have fun with the whole idea. Quote Link to comment
+crzycrzy Posted January 17, 2004 Share Posted January 17, 2004 I have still yet to post my first cache... This is great info... Quote Link to comment
+CacheCreatures Posted January 19, 2004 Author Share Posted January 19, 2004 Hi guys, Many of you have asked for a copy of the email. While I definitely think you should write your own specific to your situation, I have no problem sharing what worked for us! Here it is! Dear Madam, First, my wife and I would like to thank you for your efforts and dedication to the no kill approach of animal control. I am an animal lover and my wife is a vet tech who has volunteered for your spay and neuter clinics in the past. I live and work in the area, and whole heartedly appreciate the effect you and your organization has on our community. I am writing you today in hopes of receiving your permission to help bring a potential new interest to your VHS society. We are avid "geocachers". In case you are unfamiliar with Geocaching, I invite you to check out www.geocaching.com. Basically, it is a high tech treasure hunt. That is, we use global position satellite (GPS) technology to guide us to a location. At the location, a container is placed and a log book is left inside the container. Visitors sign the book and replace the container where they found it. The excitement and enjoyment of this is not the container, but the journey finding it. My wife and I have visited areas of our own community that we never would have otherwise thanks to Geocaching and have loved each and every adventure. In your case, we would like to introduce the growing Geocaching community to what you do. We have already placed a "cache" in the vicinity of the TVAR shelter, and it has met with great success. We invite you to see it here: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=109559 Specifically, here is what we have in mind. [removed as to not give the actual cache details away] We would certainly remind the visitors not to disturb your garden; geocachers in general are very respectful and mindful of their surroundings. Also, we would encourage them to visit your facility during your open hours, read the message board and to volunteer when and where they can. Nothing is needed from you except permission! We will provide the ornament as well as place it. Also, if you do grant permission and find this is not for you or your facility, we would of course remove it immediately. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you and of course, please contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns. We will not place the ornament until we have explicit permission from you. Most Sincerely... Quote Link to comment
+TresOkies Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 In Oklahoma, not only can we place caches on state park lands, but the state maintains one of their own in each park and they have done several features on geocaching on their "Discover Oklahoma" television show. When we have our twice yearly campout meetings, we are welcomed and the park rangers have been very supportive. We have this relationship with the state parks department because one of our members had the foresight to contact them to get permission to place a geocache in a state park. This was in mid 2001. The response he got was very enthusiastic, which is quite different from the reception we've received from Federal government agencies. Had he not bothered to ask first, it's likely that caches would be banned in our state parks like they are in other states. So, it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst they can do is say "no". -E Quote Link to comment
+ke6n Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 Recently though, we found an area that just screamed for some serious cache treatment. However, it was on private property. and The land is actually publically owned, as the building on the land is a government run. OK, am I the only one who is confused by these two statements? I'll bet that part of the reason you had such a positive response is that you were actually able to "connect" yourself (via your wife's work) to them and make yourself somewhat of an "insider." Not that this is a bad approach, however! Ken Quote Link to comment
+ICQ Cache Crew Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 WOW.. I'm glad someone has had success. I'm a pretty shy person when it comes to asking permission but the one time I have gotten the courage to ask was basically blatantly denied:(. I don't know if I just didn't explain what geocaching was well enough for her to understand or if she just was very property protective. . I'm definitely going to cut and paste that letter and tailor it to our needs. Hopefully we'll start filling in our barren area with caches! Quote Link to comment
+CacheCreatures Posted January 19, 2004 Author Share Posted January 19, 2004 OK, am I the only one who is confused by these two statements? Yeah, sorry bout that. Bottom line is it is private property. I misunderstood some of the specifics. As for the "in," it didn't even come up during the meeting, although it may have helped get the meeting in the first place. I think, though, that everyone can come up with some sort of connection with whom they are trying to get permission from. Establishing some sort of common ground really softens the almost weird quality of geocaching (to a person that doesn't know anything about it). Quote Link to comment
+ke6n Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 Yeah, sorry bout that. Bottom line is it is private property. I misunderstood some of the specifics. Well good deal, then. Private property ALWAYS requires specific permission (unless it's your own property, of course). You did good with your note and meeting! I know what you mean about the glazed over look explaining geocaching to some of the uninformed. The responses range from "You do what??" to "Cool! How do I try that out?" Even attempting to explain it further to the "You do what??" people really cements one's image in their minds as a geogeek... Quote Link to comment
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