Ontario Geocaching Association

Here are a few steps to prepare and place a successful cache. Before you place your first cache, it is highly recommended that you go out and find a few caches for yourself so you can see how others have placed them and to pick up a few tips.

• Read the Quick Tutorial and Geocaching.com Guidelines to make sure you understand the concept of placing a cache.
• Take a hike and find your site. Caches are usually placed to introduce people to a great hiking area or to point out a place of interest.
• Make sure the site of your cache is not on private land or land managed by a local conservation area that has restrictions on geocaching. Please contact your local OGA Representative to make sure of local restrictions. Permission must be obtained from the landowner/manager before placing a cache.
• You are ultimately responsible for the cache so make sure you know the rules for the area where your cache is being placed.

• Invest in a better container, it will save you repeat visits to your cache for maintenance.
• Basic contents include a logbook, pencils (they don't freeze in the winter) and pencil sharpener.
• A few items for trading. Avoid items like scented candles, food (which attract creatures) and items that might be harmful if a child were to find it (ie knives, alcohol, tobacco etc.)
• It is suggested you include a statement of what a geocache is just in case someone other than a geocacher finds it. OGA has a pre-made Geocache insert for your Geocache. It is available in the Service Area for download. Geocaching.com also has a printout available on their seek a cache page.

• Take your cache to the area you have selected. Make note of any parking or trail head coordinates which will help others to easily start their search.
• When you reach the cache site, let your GPS settle down and mark the coordinates. If your GPS has averaging, leave the GPS sitting for as long as possible to get good satellite lock. If your GPS does not have averaging, it is recommended that you mark your coordinates, walk away in one direction and come back, mark. Repeat after approaching from another direction. You can triple check by coming back on another day at different time of day to make sure of your numbers. Accuracy is extremely important; almost as important as the location!

• Fill out the online form on Geocaching.com and sit back and watch the crowds arrive! Make sure you double check your ratings (difficulty and terrain). If you have any doubts about your rating, you can use the on-line rating guide when you fill out your cache report. Add any hints that might be useful (try to keep them brief and to the point but helpful, it's a hint after all!). Also consider including comments that instruct seekers to follow established or sanctioned trails. Often the shortest route is not the desired route, and preventing accidental trespassing can be done by a simple line of text. It's always a good idea to give co-ordinates such as parking, trailheads, scenic stops etc. Let people know the route you intend them to follow. Most cachers seem to lack a psychic ability.

If you would like to place an OGA link on your cache page be sure to select html for the page type and then cut and paste the following code on your page.

OGA has created Stashnotes you can download and use in your cache.

Geo-quote