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Originally posted by SkreeminWeezul:
…should I walk away and forget about it? Or should I mention to someone to check out this cache? In my opinion all caches should be “kid-friendly” because many people have thier children with them.

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When you post your find, yes, you should mention a danger you encountered so others can be aware of it. However, I don’t agree that all caches should be kid-friendly. Yes many people have their children with them, but many do not. The responsibility for judging whether or not to hunt a particular cache is always up to the cache hunter. The cache placer’s description of the hunt is just one tool cachers can use to make their decisions. There are also the topo maps to look at the terrain, the descriptions from other cachers, and if those things don’t give a complete enough description, upon arriving at the start of a cache trailhead, you always have the option of turning around and going somewhere else. But if you do, please post so others know why you made that decision.

Geocaching in itself is not necessarily kid friendly though many caches are aimed to be that and several of us have tried to put such intentions in the description or by using special icons or graphics, such as what Should Have Bought The Tie has been doing. But even with that, anytime there is not an obvious path or trail that is maintained by some entity, unknown hazards must be expected. When bushwhacking is necessary, the cacheowner cannot know every direction a hunter might enter or the hazards that must be watched for. I’ve come across my share of barb wired scratches and other trips and slips. Just got a bit of a poison ivy rash last Sunday for the first time in years. Ruined a $400+ leather motorcycle coat from thorns. My point is to expect unknown hazards and if intending to take younger children on a hunt, search the descriptions and ALL the logs for comments showing that you might want to pass this one up. Also avoid new caches until a few logs are posted to reflect the general conditons. Most important, don’t give up! The hobby is still relatively new and evolving. I also suggest that you post your comments on the geocaching.com bulletin board under geocaching.com discussion. The more comments they have about kid friendly caches, the more likely they are to put something in the cache page that can be used to show good or bad caches for the young ones.

I agree that all caches are not for everyone. I think at times, all of us are kind in our comments on the various caches so as not to offend those who placed them.
My thought is – if the cache has some hazards – post them.
Cortaid takes care of the poison ivy, nettles only sting for about 15 minutes, my tentnus is up to date, I know I shouldn’t wear shorts geocaching but I do and when I get to a cache that only a fool would attempt…… It always seems that the fool logs a find .

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Originally posted by SkreeminWeezul:
In my opinion all caches should be “kid-friendly” because many people have thier children with them. Unless warned ahead of time they could be walking into danger. I am all for a challenge, but I do not like to risk my life or my health or my husband’s or dog’s either..

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What? Are you some sort of Volvo driving soccer mom? I suppose your kids have to wear a knee + elbow pads and a helmet to ride their bike down the driveway. Nothing is 100% safe, you could get a scratch or 2 geocaching or maybe step in a Cleveland Steamer left by some mutt, but I don’t think you will be risking your life! It’s not like you are going bungee jumping, skydiving, playing golf cart chicken, or bull tipping. Most caches are in parks so there is going to be litter, that’s why they have the “cache in, trash out” program.
I don’t think all caches are “kid friendly” either. I’ve read about some that need scuba gear, rock climbing equipment, and even bug spray! Somebody better report these to Oprah and Dr Phil so they can warn their brainwashed sheep.

I agree that comments attacking you for your comments are unwarranted. I think everyone else was just trying to offer opinions and be funny so please take no offense at the one that seems a bit too personal – I am sure that they probably have not done the cache in question.
For those of us that have done it, yes it does have some hazards that my caching group did not anticipate that day. We considered not doing it but we were already there – what else can I say .
I have always thought some standard warnings if hazards are present should be included in the cache description but if not I always try to leave them in my comments on the cache.
Thorson once told me that geocachers are nice friendly people and he is correct from all that I have met.

Just to show that you can’t take anything for granted, I just came from two advertised family friendly caches. Short walks and playground gear nearby. I had my grandson, Joshua with me and was saving these for him. While just a few feet off a bark trail, I spotted a short 2X4 with long nails pounded through them! It was nails down, fortunately, but I recognized it for what it was and ”trashed it out”. Just got in from the garage from pounding them over and tossing it in the trash.

The good news is that this is only the second time in over 400 caches that I’ve found this. The first time was at ”Country in the City” where someone was trying to flatten ATV tires.