Gwen & Don Jackson wrote:
>I realize it's not wise to generalize (how's that for poetry) but I
>believe that there is a different mind set for Geocachers and LBers. (I am
>probably starting a thread that will get a life of it's own). You know my
>poor experiences with a couple of geo guys , and the further we can
>separate ourselves from the other hobby the better. That's not to say
>there can be combinations if one wants it as" there are no rules". It is
>just that I believe letterboxing should stand on it's own. Don
Yes, I agree that letterboxers see geocachers as a breed apart (even if the
reverse isn't necessarily true). But to the "outside" world, we're all
lumped together. I'd guess that most parks officials wouldn't differentiate
at all between letterboxing and geocaching. But since there are 10
geocaches for every 1 letterbox in the US, the 'cachers are going to draw
first fire in most any debate over the allowable use of public spaces.
I also think that it means that letterboxers need to take extra care to be
super-conscientious eco-citizens. The recent discussions on "leave no
trace" ethics are a good case in point. I prefer to think of letterboxing
as a "low impact" environmental activity, since it's *possible* for us all
to enjoy letterboxing and not have a detrimental effect on natural areas.
We do, of course, need to be very aware of not intruding on sensitive
ecosystems, as a first step. And if we each go the extra mile, for instance
to pick up trash on our letterbox excursions, we might even have a
net-beneficial effect in the parks where we enjoy letterboxing.
The geocachers have a saying, "cache in, trash out," that's their call to
action. Many letterboxers already make it a habit to carry a plastic bag in
order to pick up trash they find while they're out on the trail. Perhaps
letterboxers should follow this example and adopt the motto, "Box in, bag
out." If we each collected a bag of trash during every letterboxing trip,
we'd could easily be collectively responsible for removing several tons of
garbage from parks and wild areas each year.
As an added benefit, if we put these principles at the forefront *and then
followed them*, I bet we could gain some additional leverage in dealing
with suspicious parks managers.
|-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-|
Silent Doug, P22 F156 X05
silentdoug@douglasgerlach.com
http://www.letterboxing.info
letterboxing ethics
6 messages in this thread |
Started on 2003-06-05
letterboxing ethics
From: Silent Doug (silentdoug@douglasgerlach.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 17:06:03 UTC-04:00
Re: letterboxing ethics
From: pusamosaqui (mciak@columbus.rr.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 23:53:55 UTC
We do both - I don't think that there is much difference between the
sports (?) Both "do" the same thing gets you off your toosh and
outside. Both are goal oriented - a stamp in your log or something
to pass on to the next cache - the only noticable difference I see -
geocashing appeals more to my sons (and I believe males like using
electronic "stuff" more) where letterboxing seems to be mostly
women - please do not take offence or let me know your a woman who
likes geocaching or a man who prefers letterboxing. But if you've
ever visited the geocaching site you would see what I mean. I think
seeing a young man or group of them wandering around in a park might
be something for rangers and policemen to give pause to. We have
been stopped twice - once the saw the GPS they kinda laughed and
told us to remember that the park closed at dusk.... To my ranger
friends who at one point thought it was not a great idea do agree
the person peeing in the woods do more harm that those looking for
a "box" Because there are so many geocaching boxes they don't get
hit on as many timed a those in the open - not to mention those
little machines can be pretty pricey so that does keep some from
participating.
Lastly - having been intervied several times I can tell you that
when there is no story the press can always find a way to make it
more intresting - notice they gave no ones name or postion in the
park they were talking about? Were they trying to make a story or
hoping to get the park systems shorts in a knot so that there was a
story?? Remember wag the dog?
'nough said -
sports (?) Both "do" the same thing gets you off your toosh and
outside. Both are goal oriented - a stamp in your log or something
to pass on to the next cache - the only noticable difference I see -
geocashing appeals more to my sons (and I believe males like using
electronic "stuff" more) where letterboxing seems to be mostly
women - please do not take offence or let me know your a woman who
likes geocaching or a man who prefers letterboxing. But if you've
ever visited the geocaching site you would see what I mean. I think
seeing a young man or group of them wandering around in a park might
be something for rangers and policemen to give pause to. We have
been stopped twice - once the saw the GPS they kinda laughed and
told us to remember that the park closed at dusk.... To my ranger
friends who at one point thought it was not a great idea do agree
the person peeing in the woods do more harm that those looking for
a "box" Because there are so many geocaching boxes they don't get
hit on as many timed a those in the open - not to mention those
little machines can be pretty pricey so that does keep some from
participating.
Lastly - having been intervied several times I can tell you that
when there is no story the press can always find a way to make it
more intresting - notice they gave no ones name or postion in the
park they were talking about? Were they trying to make a story or
hoping to get the park systems shorts in a knot so that there was a
story?? Remember wag the dog?
'nough said -
Re: [LbNA] letterboxing ethics
From: (HANNAHKAT@aol.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 20:07:04 UTC-04:00
In a message dated 6/5/2003 5:08:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,
silentdoug@douglasgerlach.com writes:
> "Box in, bag
> out." If we each collected a bag of trash during every letterboxing trip,
> we'd could easily be collectively responsible for removing several tons of
> garbage from parks and wild areas each year.
>
Wouldn't that be great! I really agree that we need to stress the
eco-mindedness of our hobby. That is why I tried to stress it so furiously to the
newspaper reporter that did the story on us. The more we publicize THAT aspect of the
hobby, the better we should fare in the eyes of the public and hopefully to
park employees.
-Kim (Rustypuff)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
silentdoug@douglasgerlach.com writes:
> "Box in, bag
> out." If we each collected a bag of trash during every letterboxing trip,
> we'd could easily be collectively responsible for removing several tons of
> garbage from parks and wild areas each year.
>
Wouldn't that be great! I really agree that we need to stress the
eco-mindedness of our hobby. That is why I tried to stress it so furiously to the
newspaper reporter that did the story on us. The more we publicize THAT aspect of the
hobby, the better we should fare in the eyes of the public and hopefully to
park employees.
-Kim (Rustypuff)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [LbNA] letterboxing ethics
From: (gbecket@aol.com) |
Date: 2003-06-05 20:31:14 UTC-04:00
In a message dated 6/5/2003 8:08:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,
HANNAHKAT@aol.com writes:
> Wouldn't that be great! I really agree that we need to stress the
> eco-mindedness of our hobby. That is why I tried to stress it so furiously
> to the
> newspaper reporter that did the story on us. The more we publicize THAT
> aspect of the
> hobby, the better we should fare in the eyes of the public and hopefully to
> park employees.
>
>
Who all does this? I always take my kids with me (sigh! someday I can do
something alone!) and we take a garbage bag and gardening gloves with us
everywhere and always pick up litter. I think it's an excellent thing to add to the
fun.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
HANNAHKAT@aol.com writes:
> Wouldn't that be great! I really agree that we need to stress the
> eco-mindedness of our hobby. That is why I tried to stress it so furiously
> to the
> newspaper reporter that did the story on us. The more we publicize THAT
> aspect of the
> hobby, the better we should fare in the eyes of the public and hopefully to
> park employees.
>
>
Who all does this? I always take my kids with me (sigh! someday I can do
something alone!) and we take a garbage bag and gardening gloves with us
everywhere and always pick up litter. I think it's an excellent thing to add to the
fun.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: letterboxing ethics
From: bcostley (bobbyeubanks@yahoo.com) |
Date: 2003-06-06 03:38:57 UTC
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "pusamosaqui"
wrote:
(and I believe males like using
> electronic "stuff" more) where letterboxing seems to be mostly
> women - please do not take offence or let me know your a woman who
> likes geocaching or a man who prefers letterboxing.
No offense taken. I'm more into letterboxing than my wife. Neither
of us geocache. Several of the LBNA pioneers are male. Possibly a
majority, I'm not sure of the actual count.
wrote:
(and I believe males like using
> electronic "stuff" more) where letterboxing seems to be mostly
> women - please do not take offence or let me know your a woman who
> likes geocaching or a man who prefers letterboxing.
No offense taken. I'm more into letterboxing than my wife. Neither
of us geocache. Several of the LBNA pioneers are male. Possibly a
majority, I'm not sure of the actual count.
Re: letterboxing ethics
From: pusamosaqui (mciak@columbus.rr.com) |
Date: 2003-06-06 18:16:24 UTC
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "bcostley"
wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "pusamosaqui"
> wrote:
> (and I believe males like using
> > electronic "stuff" more) where letterboxing seems to be mostly
> > women - please do not take offence or let me know your a woman
who
> > likes geocaching or a man who prefers letterboxing.
>
> No offense taken. I'm more into letterboxing than my wife. Neither
> of us geocache. Several of the LBNA pioneers are male. Possibly a
> majority, I'm not sure of the actual count.
Well that was a generalization - but in the early days of anything
it was male dominated. I believe that letterboxing used to require
the use and knowledge of a compass - and that alot of boxes had
cryptic clues - all things males are (not bashing here) are
intrigued by.
wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "pusamosaqui"
> wrote:
> (and I believe males like using
> > electronic "stuff" more) where letterboxing seems to be mostly
> > women - please do not take offence or let me know your a woman
who
> > likes geocaching or a man who prefers letterboxing.
>
> No offense taken. I'm more into letterboxing than my wife. Neither
> of us geocache. Several of the LBNA pioneers are male. Possibly a
> majority, I'm not sure of the actual count.
Well that was a generalization - but in the early days of anything
it was male dominated. I believe that letterboxing used to require
the use and knowledge of a compass - and that alot of boxes had
cryptic clues - all things males are (not bashing here) are
intrigued by.