Difference between revisions of "Approval"

Revision as of 02:07, 2 July 2005

The cache approval process used by Geocaching.com ensures all caches listed there meet the guidelines. The guidelines are a set of rules formulated by Groundspeak and, although US centric, are applied to all caches irrespective of their location.

A cache remains invisible to all except the reviewers until is is approved. At that time it becommes visible to all geocachers. There is no way to schedule a cache becoming visible after its reviewed.

The current Geocaching.com guidelines distill to this list:

• If a physical cache, the cache is not in a park or other area where the land manager has banned geocaching, such as US National Parks and US National Wildlife Refuges.
• The cache is not buried.
• No aspect of the cache defaces public or private property, whether a natural or man-made object, in order to provide a clue or a logging method
• The cache is not near a sensitive archaelogical or historic site.
• The cache is not placed in a railroad right of way (150 feet "safety zone")
• The cache is not placed on or near a military installation.
• The cache is not placed near or under a public structure deemed potential or possible targets for terrorist attacks, including but not limited to highway bridges, dams, government buildings, elementary and secondary schools, and airports.
• If the cache is placed on private property, the cache page states that permission from the owner has been obtained.
• If the cache is placed in a park or other area where the land manager has established a permit system for geocaches, the cache page states that the permit has been obtained.
• If a physical cache, the container includes a logbook or logsheet (no "codewords").
• If there are multiple locations, all of the waypoints have been disclosed privately in a "note to reviewer."
• The cache is not temporary, but rather is expected to be in place for three months or longer.
• The cache will remain at the posted coordinates and does not have a goal of moving to other locations not provided for review.
• The cache (or any stage of a multiple-waypoint cache) is not within 528 feet of any other existing cache or stage of any other existing multiple-waypoint cache, unless there are special circumstances explained in a "note to reviewer," and the cache does not otherwise "saturate" the area when taken together with other existing and pending cache submissions.
• The cache is within the owner's usual geocaching territory or, if placed beyond the owner's maintainable distance, a maintenance plan has been explained on the cache page.
• The cache contents do not include explosives, fireworks, ammo, lighters, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs, alcohol or other illicit material, or any food items/scented items.
• The cache doesn't require going into a commercial business, buying a product, paying an entrance fee, etc., so that it would be "commercial" in nature (intentionally or not).
• The cache doesn't promote a religious, political, charitable or social agenda.
• If a Traditional cache, the cache can be found at the posted coordinates, without going anyplace else or doing anything else.
• If a Mystery/Puzzle cache, the posted false coordinates are no more than 1 or 2 miles from the actual co-ordinates, and any puzzle can be solved by using information on or derived from the cache page.
• If a Letterbox Hybrid cache, the cache can be found by reference to GPS coordinates, and the container includes a letterboxing stamp.
• If a Webcam cache, the photo is of sufficient resolution and detail to identify the cacher, the webcam updates at reliable intervals, and a sample photo has been posted to the cache page.
• If an Event cache, the Event is more than two weeks away, is less than three months away (six months for a national/regional event), is sponsored by geocachers, is open to all geocachers, the primary attendees are geocachers, and the primary purpose of the Event is NOT to organize a group hunt for a cache or caches.