Thinking of placing our first cache(s)

[+Team Abarth]

I've read the do's and don'ts, and got permission from the property owners, just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

[+Bear and Ragged]

I've read the do's and don'ts, and got permission from the property owners, just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

 

'Prizes' for FTF aren't necessary, especially if it's a rather easy cache.

If it's a harder cache, and needs a bit more effort, then a prize may be worth adding!

 

Read the guidelines.

Re-read the guidelines.

Really read the guidelines!

 

Then you should be 'good to go!'

 

Good luck with the hide.

[+L0ne.R]

I've read the do's and don'ts, and got permission from the property owners, just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

 

The reward for FTFers is finding a fresh new logbook.

I have read comments in cache descriptions that some COs like to leave a coupon for a free coffee. Those seem to be welcome.

 

What I like to find in caches are handcrafted items. See my signature below for ideas.

I also like to see things geared to adults.

Last week I found a cache full of tick tweezers (can also be used for extracted scrolls from micro caches).

CITO bags are also handy.

In the summer months - insect repellant wipes.

[+Team Abarth]

I like the coupon idea..maybe a gift certificate to Pizza Hut or something for the FTF's. On our first couple I'm keeping in mind families with kids, so easy and geared towards them. I have ideas for other places along a few of my "therapy runs" out in the country, and may try stuff more adult orientated. Do you guys "load them up" with multiple different "prizes" also? I've seen some for sale that have several things in the "starter caches".

[+niraD]

For my caches, the only thing I've left for FTF is a blank log. For the two small-size caches, I started them off with in-theme trinkets that I picked up at the local craft store. For the regular-size cache, I started it off with an assortment of inexpensive trade items that I happened to have on hand.

[Chippewawarrior]

I heard that some people will leave a dollar or something for the FTF.

[+WarNinjas]

The fun of being a CO is it is all up to you. Think of what you would want to find in a cache. Especially if you were FTF! The only thing you have to leave is a log sheet for them to sign. The rest is up to you and how you want to be known and what you want finders of your caches to find. We are happy just to find a blank log sheet. We also especially in the start of playing liked to find items. Now we are happy with creative camo or a cool place. Now we often find caches stocked full of stuff and just sign the log and move on. If you do leave good items be ready for the fact that it might sometimes not be traded fairly. Sometimes it is and great stuff is left. It is all up to you and the more you hide the more you will get a feel of what you like to hide. The main thing is just to have fun.

[+The_Incredibles_]

You don't have to leave a prize for the FTF, but if you do, gift cards are nice. Either $5 or $10. Or scratch-n-win tickets (inside a baggie of course).

[+Team Abarth]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Bass Pro has a "starter" kit we can look at (gives me an excuse to look at gps devices). I have other ideas for cache spots, but need to check them out and get permission from the owners, along some roads I like to go on to just go for a drive on. One place stands out above all else because first time I came across it...in the middle of no where...off the beaten path, I was a bit "surprised", and the farmer that owns the property was really nice. I'll have to talk to Her Highness what we would want to leave as a FTF signature prize to go along with the gift card. I know she's been googling geocaching stuff...'cause she's always sharing links with me. There's a class next week we're going to attend, and hopefully they'll cover placing a geocache.

 

Right now I just want to get through a "national" event our car club is hosting down in Arkansas in April. It's our first for the club...so we're trying to build the framework right the first time.

Edited February 13, 2016 by Team Abarth

[+Ry Dawg]

I've read the do's and don'ts, and got permission from the property owners, just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

 

I leave swag in mine. It really depends. If it's themed, or has a fun backstory to the cache, I will leave swag accordingly. If it's remote, I just leave some cool or useful things.

 

For FTF, I leave anything from geocoins (inactivated), gift cards, or once I left 20$USD because it was a remote spur of the moment cache to hilight a cool natural feature.

 

I hand make my log books. Sewn paper with a leather exterior, much like a smaller version of a journal. They are placed inside waterproof camping gear bags (for maps) with two pencils. One I leave unsharpened. If it needs sharpened, most rural catchers will have a pocket knife with them.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Ry Dawg

[+Team Abarth]

I've read the do's and don'ts, and got permission from the property owners, just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

 

I leave swag in mine. It really depends. If it's themed, or has a fun backstory to the cache, I will leave swag accordingly. If it's remote, I just leave some cool or useful things.

 

For FTF, I leave anything from geocoins (inactivated), gift cards, or once I left 20$USD because it was a remote spur of the moment cache to hilight a cool natural feature.

 

I hand make my log books. Sewn paper with a leather exterior, much like a smaller version of a journal. They are placed inside waterproof camping gear bags (for maps) with two pencils. One I leave unsharpened. If it needs sharpened, most rural catchers will have a pocket knife with them.

 

I was thinking a gift card to a friend's coffee shop up in the city (he has a unique way of preparing the beans...plus after a cup of his stuff...you feel like going out and building a house). Wife and I want to leave something also for the FTF's...but are trying to think of something to use as a signature item besides what we normally trade.

[+Lost.Boy.Ramblur]

I am waiting on review for my first cache but I put in it a little unactivated FTF trackable coin (shop geocache) and a matchbook from my father in laws motel (I often leave those places). Nothing great but I thought the super tiny coin would be nice.

[TahoeJoe]

Great to see you researching what makes a great geocache. I'm sure it will be well received.

[+KatnissRue]

What I do is put a small something as FTF in any cache I can. For my larger caches, it's usually a DVD or some other sort of customized item. For my smaller caches I've used mini flashlights, $2 bills, $1 coins, and other small novelty items.

[+justintim1999]

It's always good to put a little thought into what swag you'll add. We have a store around these parts that takes donations and re-sells them. The money goes to support the local soup kitchen and food pantry. They will take a bunch of various toys like balls, action figures, small stuffed animals and put them in one bag and sell it for $1.99. Great place to fill up your swag bag for short money. Can also find buttons, key chains and magnets by the bunch. Try to fill the cache with items that are interesting and safe.

[+Team Abarth]

We have a place in the city called USA Toys that sells bulk toy everything..like toy soldiers, animals, etc...plus keychains, toy compasses, pirate themed stuff...basically tons of stuff. Guess teachers hit this place for rewards a lot. I have an idea for a "coin" I saw on a website, and thinking a $10 gift card to a friend's coffee house in the city for the FTF's. Wife and I are hitting one of the geo classes that involves making maps and transferring to gps device. Even though it's going to be in the 70's...and I really need a "therapy run", and would be a perfect day for geocaching...think this class will help. Maybe the wife and I will go for a drive afterwards.

[PhillyRiver]

I am about to place my first series of caches. As they have a river theme, each cache will be filled with some pretty cool plastic river animals, native to that river. (Who knew there is a company that makes only tiny fish replicas!) Someone else in this thread suggested "themed" swag like that. But of course when people start to trade for them, the theme will be diluted. On my descriptions I'm going to encourage trading "water-themed" items. I plan to replenish the river animals every few months, or as needed.

[+Luckyone80]

Just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

 

I always stock mine with a FTF path tag along with other FTF related items like keychains that I make. I also stock my caches with a variety of swag related to Geocaching. I make GC key chains, magnets, tokens, GC stickers, GC pencils and sharpeners, marbles, smiley face bouncy balls, other fun trinkets, etc.

Edited March 10, 2016 by Luckyone80

[+Team Abarth]

Just curious what people leave for the FTF's, and also if you stock it with other things. I've looked at the geo store. Just wondering what people leave for "prizes". The 2 places I have an idea for will be in an urban environment, and should be easy finds. We're going to a class in a week on geocaching, but we need to stock up on trade-ables this weekend for future explorations. Thanks in advance.

 

I always stock mine with a FTF path tag along with other FTF related items like keychains that I make. I also stock my caches with a variety of swag related to Geocaching. I make GC key chains, magnets, tokens, GC stickers, GC pencils and sharpeners, marbles, smiley face bouncy balls, other fun trinkets, etc.

 

We've done 2 now. We left a gift card to a local coffee place, and a replica "pirate's" coin for the FTF's. The regular swag we put in a few small different "toys" since we purposely made them easy grabs for those that have small kids. Our next one will involve a short walk and a micro..so no swag, but going to try to make it harder to find.

[+colleda]

I don't see the point of having an FTF 'prize'. Isn't being FTF reward enough?

[+Team Abarth]

Why do they have trophies for 1st, second in races and such (not just professional...but amateur stuff like in SCCA for autocross)? Shouldn't being 1st be reward enough? Don't know...others do it...so what the heck. It's all a matter of perspective. As long as it makes someone else happy...that's all that should matter.

[Pup Patrol]

Why do they have trophies for 1st, second in races and such (not just professional...but amateur stuff like in SCCA for autocross)? Shouldn't being 1st be reward enough? Don't know...others do it...so what the heck. It's all a matter of perspective. As long as it makes someone else happy...that's all that should matter.

 

If it makes you, the CO, happy, then do whatever you want re: FTF prizes.

 

 

B.

[+colleda]

Why do they have trophies for 1st, second in races and such (not just professional...but amateur stuff like in SCCA for autocross)? Shouldn't being 1st be reward enough? Don't know...others do it...so what the heck. It's all a matter of perspective. As long as it makes someone else happy...that's all that should matter.

 

If it makes you, the CO, happy, then do whatever you want re: FTF prizes.

 

 

B.

 

I should, as a CO, admit to sour grapes. I have included an FTF prize in a few caches and there was never any acknowledgment by the FTFers. Don't do it any more. In contrast, on a few occasions, as CO, I have placed fresh AA batteries in a new cache only for the FTFer to log that they claimed them as an FTF prize.