+officepuke Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 First post on this board so hello everyone. My family and I have just recently discovered GeoCacheing and we love it. My four-year-old daughter considers it treasure hunting, it always brings a smile to her face when we find a cache. On to my question. Generally speaking how long does it take a cache to get approved? We hid a cache on the 8th of Sept and it still is not approved. I hope it hasn't fallen through the cracks. Thanks all! Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Hello, I am one of the Groundspeak volunteers who reviews new cache submissions. First off, welcome to geocaching! Unfortunately, I bear bad news with my first message to you. Ordinarily cache reviews take place within a few hours to 2 or 3 days. I think the website FAQ's say within 48 hours, and the majority of caches are looked at within that timeframe. I'm betting that my colleague Crashmore, the Maryland volunteer reviewer, postponed your cache because it requires special handling. You see, you placed it in a park that has expressly banned geocaching. Part of the Geocache Listing Requirements that you read before creating your cache say to make sure that you've obtained "adequate permission" for your cache placement. When the reviewers see a cache in an off-limits area, expect to be questioned about that. I would encourage you to join the Maryland Geocaching Society, an excellent state-level organization that is working very hard to form and maintain good relations with land managers in your area. This page on their website lists many of the land manager rules for cache placements. You will see that Jefferson Patterson Park is mentioned specifically as an area where no caches are permitted. I would also encourage you to re-read all of the FAQ documents and the Geocache Listing Requirements. See the topic that is pinned at the top of the "Getting Started" forum. If you have further questions as you're learning about our sport, I'd encourage you to post over there. This forum is for suggesting improvements, reporting bugs, etc., relating to the Geocaching.com website. Quote Link to comment
+officepuke Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 LOL oops! I'll have to head down there this weekend and talk to them, I am a member of that park as well as a Colonial Archeologist, I might be able to pull some strings. We'll have to see. Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 That would be absolutely wonderful if you could make some inroads with an off-limits park. Many others have done so with different parks in the past. We would be delighted to share our experiences to help equip you with a winning presentation to the management of this park. I would encourage you to get in touch directly with Crashmore by sending him an e-mail via his profile page. In turn, he may put you in touch with someone from MGS with responsibility for park relations. Quote Link to comment
+officepuke Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 Email sent, I'm going to head down there at lunch today if I have the time. Quote Link to comment
+officepuke Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 Oh yeah is there anything that I could say that might help the cause? I had already planned on using the "Increase the visibility of your park" argument. Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Oh yeah is there anything that I could say that might help the cause? I had already planned on using the "Increase the visibility of your park" argument. Tell them about CITO, also. Quote Link to comment
+officepuke Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 CITO? Please educate me. Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 If you don't mind, I am going to move this topic over to the General Geocaching Topics forum, where more people will chime in to assist. This topic is taking a very interesting, and nice, turn. Quote Link to comment
+nittany dave Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 I agree with KA, any assistance in opening closed minds is a good thing. However, I might suggest learning a little more about your logal group and their past efforts and a little more about geocaching in general before running down to the park trying to change their opinion of geocaching and geocachers. Quote Link to comment
tunacache Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 CITO? Please educate me. Cache In, Trash Out. Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 CITO? Please educate me. Cache In, Trash Out Quote Link to comment
+Smitherington Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 Yeah, what nittany dave said. Check out what history exists first. What conversations have taken place. What reasons the park was made off limits. You will be better able to form reasons to allow geocaching there. Best of luck!! Quote Link to comment
+strikeforce1 Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 It might also help to take your cache with you. They may want to inspect it for harmful items as well. They don't want knives, guns , and such left in it. There may even be a permit you have to obtain to "use the park". Yes another rule, for us to use the park! "Pay to Play". If you need help with more, keep posting, well try to give you all the help we can! Being prepaired with all the info, really makes you look organized and makes geocaching look even better. "Do your homework, before meeting them, if possible. SF1 Quote Link to comment
+officepuke Posted September 10, 2004 Author Share Posted September 10, 2004 I decided not to go today, I'm going to wait until I hear back from the MD Caching group on what they have done. Then I'll go talk to them, probably will not take the cache though as it's already hidden in the park LOL shhhhhhh. Quote Link to comment
Pantalaimon Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 You might refrain from sharing you geocaching "handle" with them... Quote Link to comment
+JMBella Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 I decided not to go today, I'm going to wait until I hear back from the MD Caching group on what they have done. Then I'll go talk to them, probably will not take the cache though as it's already hidden in the park LOL shhhhhhh. First thing: Remove the cache ASAP. You won't be starting off on the right foot if they find out you already hid one there. I'm not sure what kind of container you used but using a clear plastic container that is VERY clearly marked will probably help your cause. If you make any headway with the management, you should get suggestions from them as to where would be an appropriate location for a cache. Your presentation should concentrate ONLY on the positive aspects of geocaching. In other words don't try to defend any misconceptions they may or may not have before they bring them up. Doing so might actually give credibility to those misconceptions. Best of Luck! Quote Link to comment
+Kfam Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 Tell them that they want to be like Arkansas. Complete with their own website! Quote Link to comment
+Nero Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 wow, thats really cool to see a state actually have a site about it and have usefull information, even a permit pdf!! nicely done arkansas! Quote Link to comment
+RichardMoore Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 (edited) They could also check the Cleveland Metroparks site. The geocaching coordinator for the CMP has worked with park systems throughout the country to help them develop geocaching programs. Edited September 12, 2004 by RichardMoore Quote Link to comment
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