This geocache is part of the Florida State Parks Civilian Conservation Corps Geotrail. Florida Caverns State Park is significant in the twentieth century history of Florida as it is one of the first nine state parks in Florida. The original Florida state park system was inspired and constructed by two New Deal programs, the CCC and WPA. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was the first New Deal agency to begin operations in Florida. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC and WPA (Works Progress Administration or Work Projects Administration) did significant work throughout Florida and the United States. The CCC and WPA were public work relief programs that were part of the New Deal developed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and executed during his time in office as a response to the economic turmoil caused by the Great Depression. The CCC provided young men with manual labor jobs related to the natural resource development. The FLSP CCC Geotrail runs through nine state parks across the state of Florida: Florida Caverns State Park, Fort Clinch State Park, Highlands Hammock State Park, Hillsborough River State Park, Mike Roess's Gold Head Branch State Park, Myakka River State Park, O'Leno River State Park, Ravine Gardens State Park, and Torreya State Park. The final cache on the geotrail is located in Highlands Hammock State Park, which also happens to be home to the Florida State CCC Museum.
The park was acquired on October 11, 1935 and developed by both the CCC and WPA. The WPA created a Federal Fish Hatchery on the west end of the property that opened a little earlier than the visitor center and cave tours. It was constructed by local contractors for the U.S. Department of Commerce under WPA funding. The CCC was responsible for the development of the cave tour area. They constructed the visitor center (or museum), which is a large split level building made of stone and a nearby pump house. The CCC workers also were responsible for making the caves accessible to the public. The park officially opened to the public in 1942.
The park is open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees are as follows: $5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping and cave tours are also available.
Florida Caverns State Park's Website
Every cache in this series is a large ammo can which has been locked in place to prevent cache migration. You DO NOT need to unlock it to access the cache contents and sign the log. That being said, please replace the cache and its camouflage to ensure an enjoyable experience for the next person.
In order to find the Florida State Parks FINAL CCC Cache (GC38Y9F), you will need to record the keyword given at each CCC cache. It is your responsibility to record the keyword. The keyword is engraved on the outside of the ammo can AND inside on the lid. The numbers can be plugged in to reveal the correct coordinates for the final cache on the geotrail (Florida State Parks FINAL CCC Cache (GC38Y9F)). After finding all ten geocaches (one in each of the nine New Deal era state parks in Florida), you will be eligible to receive a geocoin commemorating the Florida State Parks Civilian Conservation Corps Geotrail. More information on that is available on the FINAL CCC Cache page.
This geocache was placed in Florida Caverns State Park with the permission of park management and assistance from the park staff.
Please remember to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails. Practice Cache-In-Trash-Out (when you can) and replace the geocache exactly as found so that the next person can enjoy the find!