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I’d go with the “log it!” crowd. As much as you’d like, you now know where the cache is, and you can’t “unfind” it. I’ve found caches this way, sometimes accidentally, sometimes on purpose. Either way, mention it in your log. It might alert the cache owner that they need to adjust how they have the cache hidden so it won’t be stumbled upon again.
@Jeremy wrote:
If there is interest, we could also create region specific forums on the WGA website (assuming the Board also approves ;)). Does anyone this is needed or would be a good idea?
I guess most things we discuss in the forums are universal to the entire state, but maybe there is some value to having regional forums… it could be a place where people could ask for local/in-person help with problems, and where regional events or local geocaching outings could be planned.
I read the GONIL forums as well, and while much of the Chicagoland discussions are in their main forum, they have a separate forum for each county in the Chicago area.
Deciding how to divide up the state would be some interesting discussions… 😆
@Commander Bob wrote:
…Some people only attend for the boost in their numbers, and this is a sad but telling aspect to having such a concentration of relatively easily available caches. As far as we see it, the numbers people who will stop attending our events because of the lack of finds, will not be significantly missed. As it is now, they stop by in the morning, load up the temp coords, sign the event logbook, and disappear for the remainder of the day….
I’m just quoting this gem of a point, buried in the long post.
@Lostby7 wrote:
…Just meant that there may be some people who have more interest in finding the caches than the meeting of other cachers in a formal setting. With dozens of caches in one place at once it will draw both those wishing to be social and those wishing to find caches. Some will want to do both some won’t.
Although if all you’re going to do is find the local caches, why wait for an event?
@Coastiegirl04 wrote:
Those of you who want Page 57, the cache is up and running!! (and don’t worry its not in the water, at least not yet.. 😉
Sweet! Thanks!
Now we just need to take care of Page 104…
To answer the question, I prefer to have the temp hides at the picnic. I wasn’t able to make it to the picnic this year, but I would have been with the folks doing a lot of socializing, finding some of the temp caches but not all of them, and not logging the temp as finds on the event page.
I also have seen Wisconsin events and certain Wisconsin cachers getting bashed in the GC.com forums for their logging practices. While I generally don’t make a point of getting all fired up over what others think, I do agree that some of the points people make are justified.
If it were up to me, I’d have oodles of temp caches and no logging of them online. Instead, I’d have you pull out each stamped page in your booklet and drop it into a raffle bucket for an end-of-day door prize giveaway. Instead of extra smilieys, the reward for finding lots of temp caches would be extra chances in the raffle.
@GrouseTales wrote:
My solution, add another event into the mix. Let’s have a pancake social at a local park. No temps involved. We can put the new WGA Griddle to use and put on a nice breakfast social at a local park. We wouldn’t need to worry about enough seating like at a restauraunt. People can stay as long as they want. We can also make a few bucks for the WGA account.
Sounds like that “Mother of All Breakfasts” event I held a couple of summers ago. It drew about 150 people which was the biggest non-organization related event I’ve ever been to.
It would be fun to have something like that in an area of the state that already has a number of existing caches. Have the breakfast from 8-10 or so, then everyone can go off on their own to find the area caches or hang out and chat.
On the flip side, you could also set up a late afternoon cookout. Come to the area, find however many caches you want, then show up at the park at 6:00 or whenever for dinner and socializing.
Either way, by putting the WGA stamp on it, it will hopefully make it a little more special than just a “local” event.
@shine_like_a_star wrote:
@Jeremy wrote:
[edit]Looks like you are not a premium member, so the first step would be to pay your $30… or you could figure out the map pages you’ve completed by hand (I did it in about an hour) and enter them into the WGA site.[/edit]
I entered mine onto the WGA site (only 14!?! 😡 ). Is the only way to get them to show up here to use the premium account feature?
-katy-
Send me a file with your caches (such as an EasyGPS LOC file) and I’ll see what I can do.
Aw, I thought it was from all the folks uploading their DeLorme Challenge stats… 😆
I tried to get permission from DeLorme to use their map, but they wouldn’t give it. This is the best one I could find, but the proportions aren’t exactly what the DeLorme map is, so the positioning is off in spots.
The cache placement map is more for “entertainment purposes only.”
@Team B Squared wrote:
That web page is too cool. I did notice that it marks pages as found for Michigan caches. It might be something to look at.
Could you please send me an example?
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
441 G STREET NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20314-1000
CECW-CO
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER, MAJOR SUBORDINATE COMMANDS AND
DISTRICT COMMANDS, ATTN: CHIEFS, CONSTRUCTION- OPERATIONS DIVISIONS
SUBJECT: Geocaching at Civil Works Projects
1. Purpose. Geocaching may be allowed on public lands managed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 (CFR 36) and any
applicable State or local rules and regulations, provided the activity is conducted in a non-
obtrusive manner. Geocaching can be an appropriate and compatible recreational activity on
public land and water, as long as common sense guidelines are followed. Some Corps projects
have used the popularity of the sport as an innovative tool to distribute information, such as
water safety, in geocaches on Corps-managed lands.
2. What is Geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor adventure activity for users of global
positioning systems (GPS). Individuals and organizations set up geocaches (caches) all over the
world and share their locations, often through the Internet. Numerous websites are available,
with one of the most popular being httr,://www.neocachina.com/. GPS users can then find the
caches through published coordinates and site descriptions. Most commonly, a geocache is an
object or container holding small objects for exchange. The finder may remove the enclosed
“prize” and leave another, sign a logbook, or utilize a number of variations. Some “caches” are
simply locations with unusual vegetation or unique land features the cache owner wants the
cache hunter to experience (virtual caches). There is also a derivative form of the sport that
searches for published coordinates of an existing historical monument, plaque, or benchmark.
While geocaching has become the standard name for the sport, other terms include Navicaching,
GPS Orienteering, GPS Stash Hunt, and Benchmarking.
3. Policy.. In accordance with 36 CFR 327.19 or 327.21, District Engineers, or their designees,
may develop permit systems or policies to track and/or control placement of geocaches on
project lands, provided this use does not conflict with project missions or security. Simplicity
and ease of compliance should be emphasized. Information needed from the proposed geocache
owner will include the cache coordinates (location), histher name, and histher address and phone
number. The intent of collecting this information is to keep track of the location and number of
caches on the project and to contact the owner if the cache needs to be removed. During
application, the project should ask the proposed cache owner to provide a current picture form
of identification with an address to confirm the applicant’s identity. This information is
voluntary, however the applicants request can be denied for failure to comply with the
information request. The project is required to store this information in a secure manner.
Geocache objects or containers should be clearly identified as such when placed on public lands.
Transparent containers are required, due to homeland security issues. Caches should not contain
alcohol, illicit, or other inappropriate materials. It is the due diligence responsibility of the
Project Operations Manager to work with the cache owners and jointly conduct periodically
cache inspections to insure they are not being used for illicit and/or inappropriate materials.
a. Individuals or groups that participate in geocaching activities on Corps projects must
assume responsibility for coordinating these activities with the appropriate Corps project. This
will help prevent potential conflicts with management activities, such as controlled bums,
timber sales, wildlife planting activities, etc.
4. Restrictions. It is the due diligence responsibility of the Project Operations Manager to
establish designated areas where geocaching will be allowed and other areas where it will be
restricted. Geocaching activities will not be allowed to occur in restricted areas where there
could be conflicts with project missions, project security, or the safety of the general public.
Examples where geocaching would not be allowed include but are not limited to:
a. In designated restricted areas.
b. If the cache, directly or indirectly, would negatively affect ecologically, environmentally,
or socially sensitive areas (threatened or endangered species, critical habitats, cultural resources,
tribal lands without consent, etc.).
c. In areas that may pose safety risks, such as unstable banks, cliffs, or other potential
hazards.
d. Where geocaching activities may interfere with established public uses, such as
launching, picnicking, swimming, etc.
e. Below normal operating pool levels.
f. Where geocaching activities may interfere with the operation of the project.
g. In areas where the security of the project and/or public safety would be at risk.
5. Management Considerations. Management considerations at individual projects may
require other permanent or temporary measures to ensure that geocaching activities are
compatible with other project uses. For example, a project may need to prohibit geocaching
during active management in an area for timber harvest, prescribed burning, hunting, or other
wildlife management activities. Some projects may want to encourage and actively participate
in geocaching activities to promote the Corps message in a positive way.
a. In certain instances, it may be necessary to issue a Special Event Permit in compliance
with Title 36, 327.21. Conditions that may warrant the need for a Special Event Permit may
include one-time activities that are publicly advertised, commercial in nature, involve large
numbers of participants, provide cash prizes or other significant awards, have the potential to
conflict with other uses of an area, etc.
b. If a cache must be removed from public lands for operational, safety, environmental,
cultural, or other reason, a reasonable effort should be made to contact the cache owner and
request removal. If the owner cannot be found, or the cache is not removed within a reasonable
time, the cache may be removed and impounded as abandoned property, under 36 CFR 327.15.
6. Summaw. In general, geocaching can be a fin and appropriate recreational activity at Corps
projects, provided the security or missions of the project are not compromised. It provides an
opportunity for positive interactions and partnerships with local groups involved in this activity.
Monitoring of web sites and communication and participation with these groups can form
healthy relationships with benefits to all involved. Working with these groups can prevent
undesired behavior and promote the Corps as a willing partner. Regulation should be based on
common sense needs of specific projects or regions, with minimum permitting burden on the
recreating public.
7. Point of Contact. The point of contact is Mr. Tim Toplisek, CECW-SAD, (202) 761-4259.
FOR THE COMMANDER
MICHAEL B. WHITE
Chief, Operations
Directorate of Civil Works
CECW-CO
SUBJECT: Geocaching at Civil Works Projects@cheezehead wrote:
Ummmm. I’m not getting anything either……
Greyhounder? Mac? Check.
Me? Mac? Check.What are y’all using to open it up?
So, a government body that has no problem with geocaching.
Someone needs to hook them up with the NPS… 😉
Finished two fun features…
When you’re viewing your map, hover your cursor on the right half of the map, and click the “NEXT” link that appears to see approximately where all your imported caches are.
When you’re looking at your stats, pick a different cacher’s name from the drop-down menu to view their stats. Open up their progress map, click “NEXT” to see their caches, then click “NEXT” again to see a comparison map of yours and their completed pages.
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