Year: 2013

/ Paige Edmiston /

TattooBarbie Discovers Geocaching

eldorado
After attending Geocoinfest 2013: Las Vegas, Nevada, TattooBarbie and her friend cybercat completed the El Dorado series. They had so much fun they decided to also do the Route 66 series!

This is the story of a woman with Asperger’s, who became a geocacher with Asperger’s. It’s not about conquering a disorder or beating an affliction. It’s about something more. It’s about the most human of all conditions: adaptation. It’s a condition geocachers are known to excel at, and Toni Brown first discovered that at work.

In many ways, Toni (Username: TattooBarbie) is a geocacher like many others: adventurous, fun, and outgoing. But this has not always been the case.

Long before she discovered geocaching, Toni was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.  She says, “With Asperger Syndrome, it’s sort of a problem with your social life. You just don’t fit in. You don’t understand people and people don’t understand you. That has led me to have a rather secluded life.” Like many others with Asperger’s, Toni found it difficult to meet new friends and to get outside.

Then, one fateful work retreat, she found a way to do both. Toni works for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). TPWD uses geocaching as an educational tool for its Outdoor Family Program, and so the department decided that it would be a good idea for TPWD employees to test out geocaching during its annual retreat. For Toni, this activity turned out to be more than fun – it turned her life upside down (sometimes literally).

“Geocaching changed my life…I finally fit in somewhere. I’ve even hosted events when I travel out of town just to meet other geocachers.  This activity is so much fun that no matter where you go you can meet perfect strangers and share a common bond.”  With nearly 10,000 finds and 200 hides, Toni now spends a lot of time outside exploring. Her geocaching dream is to travel to Brazil to find the last remaining Project APE geocache. She also would like to find the International Space Station geocache, but concedes that “Brazil is [more] doable.”

telephone pole
Toni climbs out of her comfort zone (and ours!).
tattootreasurechest
TattooBarbie’s trackable treasure chest tattoo.

Toni has been hooked on geocaching ever since that first experience at the TPWD retreat. Don’t believe us? Check out her rad trackable tattoo, featured in the video below. It’s in the shape of a treasure chest, which she thinks is the perfect representation of what geocaching is all about.

We think that Toni herself is the perfect representation of what geocaching is all about. She has used geocaching as a tool to step outside her comfort zone, to explore new places, and to surround herself with a wonderful community of folks united by their shared love of this crazy thing we call…well…geocaching.

Has geocaching helped you to overcome a challenge or step outside of your comfort zone? Tell us your story in the comments below.

Watch the video below (created by TPWD) to learn more about how geocaching helped Toni overcome the challenges associated with Asperger Syndrome:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3E-ehjqwho&feature=youtu.be]

 

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

Geocaching in Space – The Interactive Event Map

 

WeeklyMailer_100713_GeocachingInSpace_vFINAL_blog (1)More than 1,100 Geocaching in Space Event Caches will dot the globe on November 6 and 7. Geocaching in Space events can be found in more than 40 countries and in the world’s most remote locations, like Easter Island and inside the Arctic Circle.

Each event commemorates the launch of a Geocaching Travel Bug® as it  journeys to the International Space Station. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio will use the Travel Bug as a tool to teach students back on Earth about geography and science. He’s scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan in the early morning of November 7, which will be November 6 in much of the rest of the world.

Find and attend an event near you by exploring the interactive map below. Get prepared by ordering the limited-edition Geocaching in Space Mission Patch. Proceeds from patch sales will benefit Donorschoose.org. More questions? Check out the Geocaching in Space FAQ. One quick note: The deadline to submit a Geocaching in Space event has passed. If you’re an event owner, check out the Geocaching in Space Event Owner’s Guide to the Galaxy on ways to connect with the global community, like using #SpaceCaching in Tweets and posts.

  smaller geocaching in space image

 

 

/ Derek H /

It’s the Spookiest Time of Year — Manunka Chunk Tunnels (GC82B5) — Geocache of the Week

The entrance to the tunnels. There may or may not be zombies inside. Photo by geocacher DeadColdHands
The entrance to the tunnels. There may or may not be zombies inside. Photo by geocacher DeadColdHands

Geocache Name:

Manunka Chunk Tunnels (GC82B5)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3/3

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

As the end of October nears and Halloween draws close, the air has a certain chill to it. The trees turn into skeletons of their former selves. At least, for me, Halloween is one of the best times of year and always puts me in the mood to visit spooky or haunted places. The Manunka Chunk Tunnels in New Jersey have been abandoned since sometime in the early 1900s—well, let me clarify: abandoned from their intended use. Intrepid urban explorers and geocachers have been visiting these tunnels for years. In order to earn your smiley, you’ll have to summon loads of bravery, don a sturdy pair of mud-proof boots and journey through darkness. Sounds like a perfect fall adventure to me!

# of Finds:

353

# of Favorite Points:

117, which makes it the most favorited geocache in New Jersey.

What geocachers are saying:

“Manunka Chunk Tunnels” still the most memorable and amazing cache we’ve ever found!” – The Brigadier

“This was, by far one of my favorite caches to date.” – pumpkinking27

“Great cache! Awesome place!” – cuteynewt

Read More Logs

Photos:

Click to see all of the photo logs.

 

The final stretch of the tunnel. Photo by geocacher doug-up

 

Inside the tunnel. Try not to get too creeped out! Photo by geocacher doug-up
A brave crew of geocachers after making the find. Photo by geocacher TeamBandN

What’s the spookiest place a geocache has ever taken you? Tell us in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.

Extra special shoutout to Lord Stirling for the recommending this geocache for Geocache of the Week!

/ Eric Schudiske

A Geocaching in Space Event Owner’s Guide to the Galaxy

(Click for German Language Version)

smaller geocaching in space image

Whether you’re watching the rocket launch live or celebrating the spirit of exploration afterward, you’re part of a global community of adventurers commemorating a big day in geocaching history. Find and share your event now through this interactive global map. We’re here to help connect your event to the worldwide geocaching community and make it a success.

When is the Launch:

November 7 at 04:08 a.m. GMT – Convert to your time zone here

Where to Watch the Launch on the Web:

NASA Television: coverage of the launch begins an hour before liftoff.

NASA TV iPhone App

NASA TV Android App

What Else to Watch at Your Event:

How to Celebrate:

New Limited-Edition Geocaching in Space Mission Patch
New Limited-Edition Geocaching in Space Mission Patch

Order and show off your new Geocaching in Space Mission Patch. All proceeds from the sale of the patch will be donated to the educational charity Donorschoose.org. And of course, you should go geocaching after the event.

Who to Invite:

Reach out to the local community to join in the historic event and the adventure of geocaching. Use the text below as a guide when posting the event to local blogs, sending the announcement to newspapers, or alerting the media about your unique event.

Join a celebration of the spirit of exploration ________ night/morning. A symbol of exploration and adventure rockets into space on (insert local time). It’s known as a Geocaching Travel Bug®. An astronaut is taking the Travel Bug to the International Space Station and will use the it to teach students back on Earth about geography and science. A group of local adventurers, known as geocachers, will be hosting an event to watch the rocket launch live. They’re joining geocachers at more than 1000 geocaching events around the world celebrating the launch. Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration.

Meet at __________ at ______________ to witness a moment in history, watch a rocket launch and maybe experience the adventure of geocaching afterward.

Please go to Geocaching.com, sign-in or sign-up and RSVP to (your Event URL) so we know to expect you.

What if the launch is delayed?

Still hold your event, watch some of the other videos, earn your souvenir and celebrate the spirit of exploration from Geocaching in Space.

Questions?

Check out the Geocaching in Space FAQ

/ Eric Schudiske /

Announcing the September Geocacher of the Month

 

Old Navy3_trim
Old Navy – Geocacher of the Month

A chorus of voices cheered this month’s Geocacher of the Month to victory. All the nominees represented dedicated geocachers across three continents. Each will receive special recognition for their contribution to the global adventure of geocaching.

Before naming the Geocacher of the Month, Geocaching HQ  reviews community input and blog comments. Each comment is read. After tallying the sentiment and reading the comments, Old Navy. has been officially named the Geocacher of the Month for August 2013.

One geocacher who commented wrote, “My vote is for Old Navy for Geocacher of the Month! He has done so much for the Geocaching community and goes above and beyond, whether it’s hiding quality caches or event planning as part of Northern New Jersey Cachers (NNJC) or working with local municipalities and parks to introduce geocaching to so many people. As Geocaching continues to grow in leaps and bounds over the years Old Navy has been there in Geo101 introduction classes to bring new people into the sport.”

The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (sun flare optional)
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (sun flare optional)

Old Navy will receive the earned, never for sale, collector’s edition Geocacher of the Month Geocoin, along with a Geocacher of the Month hat and a certificate acknowledging his contribution, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com. See a list of all the Geocachers of the Month here.

If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, send an email to geocacherofthemonth@geocaching.com. Every nomination must include the following items and abide by the following guidelines:

  • Your name, the name of your nominee, their username
  • A picture of the nominee
  • Description (200 or more words) explaining why he or she deserves to be the Geocacher of the Month

Please inform your nominee that you have submitted them for the award. Nominations for Geocacher of the Month are accepted at any time.

Congratulations again to Old Navy for being recognized as the Geocacher of the Month for September.