Introduction:
With the rapidly growing popularity of Geocaching and Terracaching and the ever tightening restrictions being placed on our public lands nationwide, we recognize that the establishment of a cooperative relationship with our local and state park managers will be beneficial to the long term survival of our hobby. In order to facilitate such an endeavor, we feel that it is necessary to establish a means of communication and discussion, both among fellow cachers, as well as with land management officials.
What we are:
NCFH is a group of fun-loving, outdoor-minded people from all age groups and backgrounds who like to cache and want to help others do the same. We want to share our interest in using modern technology (GPS and the Internet) to encourage and foster an appreciation of the outdoors, and to promote good stewardship of the land and environment that we all enjoy. NCFH is run completely by volunteers who freely donate their time and talent. We welcome feedback and involvement by anyone who enjoys caching in the NC Foothills area.
What we are not:
NCFH is not an official governing body of Geo or Terra Caching. We are not rule makers or enforcers. We are not the caching gurus of North Carolina or the Foothills region.
Our Mission:
Purpose and Goals:
The primary purpose of NCFH is to act as a forum for discussion and communication about caching in Western NC. NCFH also exists to work with private, city and state land managers to provide education about the sport of caching. As a part of caching, we also coordinate CITO (Cache-In Trash-Out) events to pick up litter in area parks..
In our efforts to advance the activity of caching we try to focus on education of both new cachers and land managers. We feel that through helping others who are interested in caching to learn more about the activity, safety, experience, etc. that we will foster more fun and enjoyment for the activity in general. Also, by making an effort as a group to gain acceptance of caching in all areas we will make the activity more fun and accessible for everyone.
As a forum for communication and interaction, we welcome your input and involvement. If you have questions you'd like answered, or ideas or information you'd like to share, please feel free to contact us.
In order to maintain the confidence of land management authorities, and to alleviate any myths or concerns about our activity, it is important to understand and agree upon a few basic concepts and guidelines for caching in North Carolina.
Caching is an activity that has an appeal for a diverse group of participants… individuals and families, young and old, athletic and physically challenged, technological buffs and nature lovers…people from all walks of life. The activity can be done almost anywhere in the world, and requires a relatively small initial investment. The goal of NCFH is to ensure that we will all be able to continue to enjoy this activity in our state for many years to come.
Finances:
It is not the goal of the club to make money for any purpose; however, as with any club, certain expenses will be incurred and we seek to share these costs across all our members as fairly and easily as possible. All proceeds from our online store are used to pay for educational materials and to help offset costs related to our web sites, and for reserving meeting rooms and pavilions. Obviously, this income is not sufficient to cover all these expenses.
Club Resources:
The NCFoothills-Geocachers web site serves to provide a centralized point where members of the NCFH can discuss topics, as well as, share information about caching. If you would like to know more about caching in North Carolina, we invite you to visit our online forums. You will find that members of the NCFH are eager to welcome you to the sport of Geocaching and Terracaching and are more than willing to answer any questions you may have. You can use our member stats page to seek out cachers with various experience levels or just to watch local caching activity. And finally you can purchase club gear at our Café Press Shop or from our Caching members at the GeoStore
NC Foothills GeoStore
NCFH Cafe' Press Store
Members / How to join us:
Membership in the NCFH Geocachers is open to anyone with a sense of adventure and responsibility. As the NCFH Club has been around since 2004, there are no stringent membership requirements or dues. Your information will never be sold, rented, traded or otherwise used for any purpose other than tracking our membership and an occasional email about special caching events here in the North Carolina Foothills.
(this information has been adapted from The Great Smoky Mountains Geocaching Club located in eastern TN.)
Copyright © by NCFoothill Geocachers All Right Reserved.
