We all know how important it is to properly identify your geocache. From stickers and stencils on the outside, to stash notes on the inside, it's imperative that anyone who stumbles across your cache be able to tell exactly what this game is about.
Geocaching.com supplies stash notes in various formats and languages, but that hasn't stopped geocachers from adapting these notes for their own purposes. Early on I found myself tweaking the supplied text so it would fit in micros and be easier to find inside bigger caches.
What I've supplied you with on this page are various stash notes I've used in .pdf format for easy downloading and printing. You're more than welcome to use them and I'd love to have your feedback on them.
A Point About Paper
If you geocache for any time at all you'll eventually find a cache with a logsheet that is either wet or moldy (or both). While you can't stop the rain from falling, you can keep it from ruining your cache.
In addition to waterproofing your cache, you can take the extra step of using water-resistant paper. The logbooks you purchase through Geocaching.com are made with Rite in the Rain paper that is water resistant. These logbooks work great and come in a nice layout for Geocaching logs.
However, Rite in the Rain is water resistant-not waterproof. If you want waterproof, check out National Geographic Adventure Paper . It's actually a plastic (teslin) rather than paper. Beyond being waterproof, it won't mold and won't tatter and tear like regular paper. Also, it's designed to work in your inkjet printer, so it allows you to customize your logsheets.
National Geographic Adventure Paper is more expensive than regular paper (about a dollar a sheet), but when you consider the cost of driving out for a rain-soaked maintenance run, the price doesn't look that bad.
Standard Stash Notes
 This page prints out two stash notes on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper (landscape). It's the standard text supplied by Geocaching.com in a size that fits in caches without having to fold the page.
This size also works well for the inside of a Lock 'n Lock container lid.
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50 Caliber Stash Notes
One of the problems with the stash notes is where do you put them to make sure people see them? More often than not they're folded up in a ziplock baggie and tucked into the cache. Chances are they're never going to be seen by anyone who stumbles across the cache and has questions about what it is.
This size solves that problem by fitting perfectly on the inside lid of a 50 caliber ammo can. Print the page out, cut on the solid lines, laminate it and glue it to the inside of the lid. It will be the first thing people see when they pop the can open.
 Stashnote conveniently located on the inside of the ammo can lid. |
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30 Caliber Stash Notes
Like the 50 calibur stash note, this one fits on the inside of a 30 caliber ammo can lid.
Of course, you'll want to laminate a note like this. You have the options of heat lamination or the simpler adhesive kind. I find that I can do a decent enough job with clear packing tape and a little patience.
I've used this note several times. As the instructions on the .pdf recommend, be sure to warm the lid before using hot glue, otherwise the cold metal will harden the glue too quickly and it won't stick. You can either leave the lid in the sun for a few minutes or use an open flame to warm the lid immediately before applying the glue
If you're not too concerned with water damage (hopefully your ammo can is water tight) you can print these out on full-sized sticker sheets and then cut them to fit.
This .pdf document contains two stash notes.
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Micro Cache Logs
For the sake of space, I've laid this one out on an 8.5" x 14" piece of paper (legal size). This gets you a few more lines for logging.
This one cuts out and folds in half so there are lines on both sides. I try to always keep a few of these in my cache bag at all times. You never know when you might need to do a little maintenance.
This .pdf document contains two stash notes.
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Printable Resources for Kids! |
I think kids love events almost as much as adults! But we adults don't always adequately prepare for the needs of younger children at events. For that reason, I've thrown together a few printables for some of my favorite cachers!
Coloring Pages
Print these out and supply the kids with some crayons, markers and other equipment. Proudly display them at your event (or on your fridge later) or hold a contest for the best ammo can/geocoin design!
For convenience, I've put these together in both .pdf and .jpg formats. Both print out on 8.5" x 11" paper.
Place Mats
A great addition to any meet and greet! You'll even have the adults playing along!
These are also available in both .pdf and .jpg formats. Both print out on 8.5" x 14" legal size paper.
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Cache Labels
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It's important to make sure your geocache is easily identifiable. If your cache is clearly marked it is less likely to be stolen or mistaken for something else. A clear cache label is essential.
I've provided a variety of labels for different types of caches. However, it should be noted that while labels themselves are important, it's also important to choose the right type of labels. Most commonly found products will fade and fall apart in the kind of weather that geocaches are exposed to.
Plazstyx labels for laser printers are a great alternative. These unique labels are tear-resistant, water-resistant and chemical-resistant. they're perfect for outdoor applications. While the price is a little more than more commonly found labels, the results are definitely worth it.
Just make sure you use a laser printer. It doesn't work with ink jets.
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Micro Cache Labels
These are formatted for Avery Label #5160 with thirty labels per page. I've designed two versions, one white on black and the other black on white.
Sheets are formatted to 8.5" x 11" letter size.
First to Find Certificates
These are items that several cachers have requested over the years. I've laid them out in full 8.5"x11" size and also in as two halfsheet certificates.
These are still fairly experimental, so please let me know how they work for you. You should be able to click in the spaces for the cache number, name and your signature and enter text. I've noticed that the correct font (an Old English Style) doesn't always load on the pages. You might need to reload to get it to work (again, please get back to me with any problems you have).
Event Stuff
Geo-Bingo Mixer
 Here's a great way to get people interacting at an event. Hand out copies of this Geo-Bingo sheet and get them busy mingling and meeting each other.
It's half-sheet size and prints out two to a page. They're both slightly different (same questions just mixed up differently).
Geo-Bingo
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CITO Labels
CITO kits are a welcome addition to any cache. They're usually just a film canister that someone has stuffed a garbage bag inside. People pick them up and use them or just pass them along at the next cache.
This sheet prints out on a standard 8.5" x 11" address label sheet. They match Avery label numbers 5160 and 8160. The result is thirty 1" x 2 5/8" labels.
What's more, the labels are personalizable! Enter your Geocaching.com username in the red box at the top, hit enter, and it's instantly copied to each individual label. You're ready to print!
The CITO logo is used with permission from Groundspeak.
CITO Labels
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Suggestions?
Are there forms and notes that you're looking for but haven't found them yet? Please feel free to drop me a note and offer a suggestion. I'll do my best to see it get published.
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The Groundspeak Geocaching Logo is a trademark
of Groundspeak, Inc. Used with permission. |
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