What can you do to create lifelong memories?
Written by our featured content partner, Adam from UK Cache Mag. UK Cache Mag is a bi-monthly magazine all about geocaching in the United Kingdom. It is available in print or digital formats and shares stories, tips, and more!
We all have fond memories of places geocaching has taken us to, or the people we have met at various events. The better the quality of our caching experiences, the more likely we are to remember them. If we all do a bit more to improve the quality of caching, then the better our memories and overall experiences will be.
Written by our featured content partner, Adam from UK Cache Mag. UK Cache Mag is a bi-monthly magazine all about geocaching in the United Kingdom. It is available in print or digital formats and shares stories, tips, and more!
We all have fond memories of places geocaching has taken us to, or the people we have met at various events. The better the quality of our caching experiences, the more likely we are to remember them. If we all do a bit more to improve the quality of caching, then the better our memories and overall experiences will be.
Quality applies to many aspects of geocaching, for this article let’s put Event Caches aside and look at a few factors around the caching experience.
The Location applies to both the finder and hider. When placing a cache, ask yourself if it is hidden at an interesting location, or have you just been filling in the gaps? When you find a cache are you replacing it as found, or do you replace it where you would have hidden it? Being courtesy and conscious of the cache location can improve experiences for all.
The Container should ideally be waterproof and hidden well so it will reduce the risk of it being discovered by a muggle. Perhaps look at securing it in place with some twine or a cable tie, where appropriate? Always try and use the largest possible container you can for the hiding spot.
Maintenance. Just like our bodies, a cache will deteriorate over time. The container may crack or the plastic will become brittle. Logbooks get full and not replaced. If they have been a painted or camouflaged in some way, perhaps it is time for a touch up or repaint? When was the last time you checked your caches or helped another cache owner when you found one of their caches that needed some TLC?
The description of the cache is perhaps often overlooked in terms of value these days, as many do not read what you have to say about the cache. Have you made the description interesting and helpful? Have you set up attributes? Have you added a nice photo to entice people to want to find it? Thinking about these details can help tell people why finding your geocache matters.
SWAG (something we all get) is something that we may not all be interesting in finding, but I am sure many of us have felt a bit disappointed when we find a cache large enough for SWAG that is empty. Remember, keep food and heavily scented items out of geocaches!
Logs are a great way to give feedback, thanks, and appreciation on all the above. Logs can be seen by other cachers who may want to follow in your footsteps so do not give away any spoilers! Some cachers are more likely to look for a cache if they can see how much fun or enjoyment you had.
Favourite points. A great way to see the quality of a geocache is to look at the number of Favourite points a cache has. Favourite points can be awarded by Premium members and let both the cache owner and other geocachers that a geocache is worth the journey.
How do you help improve geocaching for others?
