[GeoStL] Re: Caches in kids playgrounds
- From: "Jim Bensman" <jbensman1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:03:23 -0500
-
Mike,
I understand where you are coming from, but I think there are some important
distinctions.
Caches are not allowed under bridges. There is nothing unsafe about a cache
under a bridge or looking for a cache under a bridge. The problem is what a
cache under a bridge can be mistaken for and what hunting a cache under a
bridge can be mistaken for.
Are not there similar issues for a cache in a kid's playground? Someone
finding a camouflage container hidden on a toy in a playground could easily
be mistaken for something sinister. Likewise, someone hunting for a cache
in a kids playground (even early in the morning or at night) could be
mistaken as something sinister and get the cops called. Did not you tell a
story once about what some parents did when you were hunting for a cache in
some bushes by a playground? I seem to remember you saying they were not
very understanding when you told them what you were doing.
I simply think caches should not be placed in places where there is a good
chance the cache or someone hunting it is likely to result in someone
thinking it is terrorist, drug, child molester, etc. type activity.
Besides, I think it is a bad idea to have a cache in a busy location.
I know there are lots of tastes out there. I have no problem with kid
friendly caches as long as they are not in the middle of a busy playground.
There is a difference between a cache that anyone is free to try but not
everyone can complete based on their skill and abilities and one that only
some can try. For example, I remember in the early days when someone set up
a cache on private property and only those who worked there were allowed to
hunt it. Many were upset with this and it was quickly shut down.
In our society discriminating based on your race, sex, age, or beliefs is
generally frowned upon. I think having a cache that only a kid can do
without worrying about getting the cops called on you raises these kinds of
issues. I agree all caches are not doable by everyone, but I think everyone
should be able to try to do any cache without worrying about the cops or
vigilantes. There are plenty of places where a cache can be placed that is
kid friendly other than in a playground.
Jim Bensman
"Nature Bats Last"
> -----Original Message-----
> From: geocaching-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:geocaching-
> bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Griffin
> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 1:20 PM
> To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [GeoStL] Re: Caches in kids playgrounds
>
> -
> You ever thought that maybe those caches are placed for kids and not 40+
> adults eager to boost their cache totals? I feel the same way but, I
> either
> do them real early in the morning or late at night. If the cache page
> indicates their is a playground near the cache, I have no problem with it.
> Its the ones that don't say anything until you get there that I have a
> real
> problem with.
>
> Remember Myotis, this is a game for everyone. Not every cache will be
> likeable or even doable by everyone. There are some that would say 20 mile
> hikes to log one cache should be not allowed. You can't have rules based
> upon whether or not people like them.
>
> Mike
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Bensman" <jbensman1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 1:08 PM
> Subject: [GeoStL] Caches in kids playgrounds
>
>
> > -
> > Lately I have been feeling very frustrated with caches being placed in
> > kids
> > playgrounds, particularly busy ones. There are a couple I have gone to
> 3
> > times and have not been able to hunt the caches with kids playing on the
> > toys. There is even one by me that the directions indicate you have to
> > climb up on the kids toys to get the cache.
> >
> > If you go hunting those caches when the kids are there (which is most of
> > the
> > time) you are likely to get the cops called on you as a child molester
> or
> > something like that.
> >
> > You are usually told the area is busy so you need to be discrete. How
> can
> > someone without a little kid with them be discrete?
> >
> > It seems to me a cache should not be placed in a location that is not
> > reasonably accessible most of the time. When you look at these cache
> > pages
> > you see lots of comments about the problems with the kids, but the
> owners
> > do
> > not seem to get it.
> >
> > What is the best way to deal with a cache in a kid's playground? I
> think
> > there needs to be a rule not allowing a cache in a children's
> playground.
> > I
> > also think if you need to be discrete to retrieve a cache, it is likely
> > not
> > in a good location.
> >
> >
> > Jim Bensman
> > "Nature Bats Last"
> >
> >
> >
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