When you submit a cache, the reviewers goes through it and publishes it on the geocaching.com website. If there are any problems with it and it can't initially be published the reviewer will write a log telling you what needs to be fixed. You can get your cache published quickly if you make sure you've followed the guidelines. In the UK there are some specific guidelines that apply which may not be obvious. Here are some reasons why your cache could get refused.
Problem |
How to fix it |
|---|---|
Commercial content in cache name or description |
The guideline says commercial caches are not allowed. This means you cannot mention a business by name however trivial. Nor can you have a cache in a business premises if finding it involves interacting with employees. Even a seemingly innocent mention such as, park at Tesco or the path starts at the Dog and Duck pub make reference to a business. Oblique references may also not be allowed. For example park where every little helps is clearly a reference to Tesco. |
Charity or agenda on cache page |
This guideline is also quite clear you cannot use the cache page to promote an organisation or charity. Nor can you mention any charitable organisations or make reference to them. There are some exceptions to this, please click here for details. Obvious errors would be something like this, cache placed by the entrance to the Home for Old Dogs, a great place that looks after dogs the owners no longer want. Or even this, the cache is by Home Farm where they are planning to build 6 massive wind turbines. These will destroy the view and make a lot of noise. |
Cache in a sensitive natural or historical location without permission |
You can't put caches in nature reserves, sites of special scientific interest or historical monuments without first getting permission from the land or site owner. This is explained in the Protected Land Areas page in this Wiki. |
The cache is too close to another cache |
Caches should not be too close together to avoid 'saturating' an area with them. The guideline gives a recommended distance of 161meters (528 feet). This applies to ANY physical part of a cache such as a traditional, the final or any physical stage of a multi or unknown cache. You should check your location first before planning a cache to see what is there. You won't be able to see where hidden stages are (and the reviewers won't tell you!). You'll need to go and find those caches yourself. |
Unsuitable cache container |
People often use take away food containers or ice cream containers. These are normally only designed to be used once and are pretty flimsy in construction. They are not suitable at all as cache containers and you will be asked to change it. This article in the Help Center explains about containers. This is an exampleof sturdy 'click lock' or screw top type containers which can easily be bought from supermarkets. Metal tins are also not ideal as they will rust and become hard (or impossible to open). The reviewers may ask you to change the container before the cache can be published. |
Caches in plastic bags or bin bags |
Plastic bags (zip lock, carrier bags or bin bags) are entirely unsuitable as either camouflage or protection as they are often biodegradable and after only a few days will become wet and messy and unpleasant to unwrap. They eventually just become plastic litter. This threadin the Geocaching forums may be of interest too as the use of bags is discussed at length. If your cache is in such a bag it won't be published until the bag has been removed. |
Other reasons |
There are many other locations where caches may not be allowed for reasons of security or sensitivity. These are detailed on this page in the Wiki and include, schools, playgrounds, military bases, hospitals, church yards and cemeteries. |
Allowed charities on cache pages
There are many organisations who help and actively promote geocaching on land they own or manage. The following is a list of those that may be mentioned on the cache page as an acknowledgement if they have given permission. You may only mention the name, you cannot give any other information about them or the work they do. You may also link to a relevant webpage on their site about the cache location, for example with a wildlife trust, the reserve where the cache is.
Organisation Name |
|
|---|---|
National Trust |
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Devon Wildlife Trust |
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Canal & River Trust |
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Essex Wildlife Trust |
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Forestry Commission |
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Hants and IoW Wildlife Trust |
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John Muir Trust (Scotland) |
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Kent Wildlife Trust |
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Shropshire Wildlife Trust |
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Woodland Trust |
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Sustrans |
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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust |