[GeoStL] Re: USFS studies Geocaching
- From: "GC-RGS" <gc-rgs@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 12:53:41 -0500
-
That's a good article with what looks like a very positive slant for us.Is
she a geocacher?
Rich
----- Original Message -----
From: "M. Bollinger" <lazylightning3@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "SLAGA" <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 10:31 AM
Subject: [GeoStL] USFS studies Geocaching
> -
> Hi everybody,
>
> Here's an interesting article that Barb W. sent me regarding Geocaching.
It is from the "Recreation Research Update" from the USFS (Forest Service).
Fortunately it's not too critical, like some we have to deal with.
>
> Here's the article:
> Geocaching: Using Technology for Outdoor Recreation
>
> Geocaching, an outdoor activity that uses handheld Global Positioning
Systems to find hidden treasures demarcated on the Internet, emerged in 2000
and has engaged more than 100,000 participants in 200 countries. Agency
responses to geocaching range from collaborative management plan development
to exclusion. Effective management, however, depends on client knowledge.
Given the relatively recent emergence of this activity, little is known
about this new user group, their behaviors, and preferences.
>
> Thus, the purpose of this University of Minnesota project, lead by Dr.
Ingrid Schneider, was to profile Geocachers, the benefits they seek in the
activity, as well as attitudes toward low-impact behaviors.
>
> An electronically administered questionnaire to Geocachers in Minnesota,
fal12003 (n=133; 60% response rate), revealed Geocachers are primarily
middle aged, White, and possess high educational and income status. The
majority of Geocachers find, rather than hide, caches and prefer to find
them in public park areas. More than 80 percent of respondents agreed that
geocaching had increased their visits to parks and recreation areas. Seven
benefit factors emerged related to geocaching: physical fitness, experience
nature, learn, stimulation, relaxation, autonomy, and socialization. These
benefits sought differed by group type but not geocaching experience levels.
Geocachers indicated moderate to strong attitudes toward environmentally
responsible behaviors. Preferences for geocaching include finding caches in
well-maintained areas and clear policies about geocaching.
>
> Managers have both opportunities and challenges associated with
geocaching. Although a variety of approaches have been taken toward
geocaching, among and within organizations, a primary recommendation is to
meet this new client's needs for information and clarity regarding
geocaching policy. Even if the agency policy is to exclude geocaching,
clearly explain why. Programming opportunities exist to enhance
technological skills, environmental understanding, social cohesion, and
maybe revenues. Programs that introduce the activity allow your area to be
seen as an advocate for and partner in this evolving technology society.
Also, programs done in partnership with local outdoor stores increase your
audience, support group, as well as potential for revenue. As we learn more
about what is important to this user group, understanding how an agency
performs on the important items could be explored with importance
performance analysis.
>
> Challenges with Geocaching include the possibility of inter-group
conflict. Geocaching almost requires off- trail travel and that could
instill conflict with other groups, as could the simple: use of the
technology. Another challenge is understanding the off-travel behavior in
light of the positive environmentally responsible attitudes and messages in
geocaching.
>
>
>
> Regardless of potential conflict or geocaching regulations, geocaching is
in your area. Participants derive both social and personal benefits from
this experience. Therefore, to effectively manage the use, seek to
understand the Geocachers and activity in your area, and ' cache' in on
their experience, environmentally responsible attitudes, and this new
potential support group.
>
> For more information about this study contact Debbie Chavez at
dchavez@xxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
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