EarthCaching is a great way to combine science education and Geocaching.

EarthCaches are locations that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth. Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage resources and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth.

This week marks the 7th anniversary of the first EarthCache: “Earthcache I – a simple geology tour of Wasp Head” (GCHFT2) in New South Wales, Australia by geoaware. The listing went live on January 10th, 2004 and 96 people have since logged a smiley.

If you are considering submitting an EarthCache for review, please read the updated EarthCache listing guidelines. The wording of the guidelines has been clarified and the guideline about logging requirements has been separated into two guidelines: one about logging tasks, one about logging photographs.

Important points about the EarthCache guidelines:

• Any requests for photos are considered optional.

• Logging requirements should be centered on the Earth Science at the location.

• You will need to provide the reviewer some information about permission or your EarthCache publication will be delayed.

• If your EarthCache is not quite publishable, you and the reviewer will work together to ensure that it meets the guidelines.

Five Important Things to Know Before Placing a Geocache

There are now more than 1.1 million active geocaches around the world. The most exciting geocaching experiences come from fun, creative and challenging geocaches. If you would like to add your own cache to the growing tally, here are five important things to consider before you get started.

1. The more experience you have finding caches, the better you will be at knowing what makes a great hide. So, get out there and find a bunch of caches before you consider hiding your own.

2. Review the guidelines for placing a geocache. They are fundamental to ensuring that your cache can be listed on Geocaching.com.

3. Geocaches cannot be placed within 1/10th of a mile (161 m) of one another. Visit www.geocaching.com/seek and conduct a search for caches in the area that you have chosen for your cache. If the area is saturated with geocaches, you may want to consider a more unique location.

4. A volunteer reviewer looks at each new geocache listing before it is published on Geocaching.com. Work with your local reviewer. They are highly experienced geocachers and may have follow-up questions or advice that will help expedite the review process.

5. Owning a geocache requires an ongoing commitment. Maintenance requirements include upkeep of the container, replacing the logbook and addressing any unforeseen problems. If you want to place a geocache, make sure that the area is accessible to you so that you can fulfill this obligation.

Find more information about placing a geocache in the Groundspeak Knowledge Books.

One Geocaching Weekend, Infinite Geocaching Possibilities

Join thousands of your fellow geocachers for a once in a lifetime experience in Western Washington State, USA July 2-July 4. This weekend offers the unique opportunity to accomplish three geocaching goals at once: attending a Mega-Event, completing the “Triad” and earning two brand new special icons!
The Mega-Event is GeoWoodstock VIII. It will be held in Carnation, WA on July 3rd. The infamous “Triad” is one of the ultimate geocaching goals. It requires visiting and logging the first geocache location, the Project A.P.E. Cache Mission 9: Tunnel of Light and Groundspeak HQ. You’ll need to make your own way to Oregon for the original cache, but the other elements of the Triad will be easy enough. The Washington State Geocaching Association has organized a hike to the APE cache on July 2nd. You can log Groundspeak HQ at Groundspeak’s Lost & Found Celebration on July 4th before heading to watch the Seattle fireworks at Gas Works Park. It’s only a 15 minute walk from our event.
Attendees at the Lost & Found Celebration will be able to earn two special icons, which will be launching soon; one for the event and one for Headquarters.
Finally, watch the Lost & Found Celebration Cache Page. As we near the event, we will be adding the coordinates for Geoteaming’s 4th of July Geocaching Challenge Course to the page.
If you haven’t planned your trip yet, we suggest you do so now. Seattle is a very popular summertime destination!

Lost & Found Gives a Voice and Vision to Your Geocaching Stories
Groundspeak’s Lost & Found celebrates ten years of geocaching by featuring your favorite geocaching stories.  Check out the updated Lost & Found destination. Along with viewing new video stories about other amazing geocachers, you’re encouraged to submit your favorite geocaching stories. It’s easy. You’re able to either nominate existing geocache logs or add a story on the Tell Your Story page.