Groundspeak Weekly Newsletter – February 9, 2011

Habits of a Good Geocache Owner

As a geocache owner, your responsibilities don’t end once your geocache has been published. Owning a geocache is an ongoing responsibility that, when done properly, results in more geocaching fun for everyone. Here are some tips on being a good cache owner.

1. When someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.), check on the cache as soon as possible. If need be, you may temporarily disable the cache to let others know not to hunt for it. This feature is to allow you a reasonable amount of time – normally a few weeks – to arrange a visit to your cache.

2. Keep an eye out for Did Not Find logs. If there are several in a row, the cache may be missing even if no one has reported it as such. You may want to communicate with the people who logged a DNF to see where they were searching.

3. If a geocacher that is new to the game logs a DNF on your cache and you are certain that the cache is still in place, you might help them out by emailing a tip.

4. You should check on your cache periodically even if no issue has been reported. You may want to bring a fresh logbook in case yours is almost full or some new SWAG (trade items) for the cache.

5. When checking on your cache, see if the physical Trackable inventory matches the digital inventory. As a cache owner, you have the option of marking any Trackables listed in your cache as being in an “unknown location.” Learn how.

6. Cache owners are also responsible for quality control of posts the cache page. This includes deleting logs that are bogus or not within the stated requirements.

7. If you did not add attributes when you first created the cache listing, add them now by clicking “edit attributes” in the upper-right corner of the page. Attributes help other geocachers identify caches that suit their needs.

For more information and tips, check out the Knowledge Book Cache Ownership: A Long-Term Relationship.

Benefits of Adding Home Coordinates

Please enter your home coordinates so we can provide information on new geocaches and geocaching events near you.