Caching in the DMV – a Discord “forum”

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The NoVAGO Board has launched a Discord server, Caching in the DMV, to foster community engagement. We deeply appreciate spaberspark77 (Zack) for his role as an administrator, guiding us through its core features. This platform offers enhanced security and operates like a forum, increasing visibility and interaction within NoVAGO. Our goal is to evaluate its potential for a broader audience. While it’s not intended to replace Facebook or WhatsApp groups, it provides an alternative for those who prefer non-Meta apps. We plan to utilize this server for Geowoodstock XXI communications, ensuring everyone knows when and where to meet for a group photo. If successful, we envision it evolving into a space for sharing caching tips, collaborating on caching adventures, and recognizing standout log entries and creative cache pages. Interested in joining? Reach out to me, TrexM8s (Monica Lynch), via Geocaching or Facebook apps, and I’ll provide a private link. Feel … Continue reading →

The 2025 NoVAGO Pathtags have arrived!

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Pathtag contest winner: Awesnap Last year we had a Pathtag contest and several designs were submitted. The community voted for Awesnap’s cardinal design as the winner. NoVAGO is excited to announce the sale of these exclusive pathtags as a fundraiser to support our picnics, awards, and other group activities. With two highly anticipated events on the horizon—GeoWoodstock on May 24 and the DMV Block Party on September 20—we expect demand to be higher than usual. These events feature pathtag trading, making them a perfect opportunity for cachers to use the NoVAGO tags as a trading option. Please fill out this survey to help us fairly share and boost participation at these big events. You’ll see that we’ve capped it at 10 path tags per person to keep things fair. There’s also a question about your plans for using the NoVAGO pathtags at GeoWoodstock, which will help us understand how many … Continue reading →

Are pathtags works of art?

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It’s true—Pathtags are tiny, tangible masterpieces that merge personal stories with artistic flair, adding another element to the geocaching hobby. Geocachers often use pathtags as personal signature items, leaving them as swag in favorite caches or trading them with fellow cachers. Unlike geocoins or travel bugs, pathtags do not travel; instead, their imaginative designs make them an enjoyable side-activity. Pathtags, roughly the size of a U.S. nickel, feature custom-designed artwork reflecting the cacher’s interests or personality. Pathtags include a serial number on the back, allowing them to be logged, traded, and tracked on the online platform [pathtags.com]. Additionally, at no extra charge, you can include a NoVAGO logo on the back of your pathtag. They are especially popular at large events, where they often commemorate the gathering. These events typically have pathtags available for purchase or include them in event packages. Sometimes, pathtags are earned by finding a series of … Continue reading →

The origins of Geocaching.

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@mcgmarauders, NoVAGO feature article writer Most of us know that modern-day geocaching started on May 2, 2000, when the great blue switch was activated. Twenty-four satellites around the globe were suddenly accessible, making GPS technology available to the general public. However, did you know that the origins of geocaching actual date back to 1854 when the “game” of letterboxing was invented? It all began in Dartmoor, Devon, England when a well-known Dartmoor guide (James Perrott) placed a container for visiting cards at Cranmere Pool on the northern moor in 1854. Hikers on the moors began to leave a letter or postcard inside a box along the trail (sometimes addressed to themselves, sometimes a friend or relative)—hence the name “letterboxing”. Interest in letterboxing in the US is generally considered to have started with a feature article in the Smithsonian magazine in April 1998. Geocaching.com added Letterbox Hybrid caches on May 7, … Continue reading →

Nominees for NOVAGO’s 2024 Geocache Awards

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Nominees for NOVAGO’s 2024 Geocache Awards Thanks to all those who took the time to send in nominations. While not all nominations were able to make the final cut, we were impressed with every suggestion. The hardworking awards committee have compiled the caches on this list from the very best of 2024. We invite all geocachers to go out and find as many of these wonderful caches as possible. For a geocaching friendly list, CLICK HERE. CLICK HERE TO VOTE (link will be active April 1-15) If you would like to change your ballot before the April 15th, deadline, email: awards@novago.org and a special link to your ballot will be provided. Winners will be announced at our NoVAGO’s 2025 Spring Picnic & Cache Awards Event on May 10th in Purcellville. Without further ado, here are the nominees: Best Traditional Cache GCAK199  – Arlington FLAG by TheUnstealthy Monkey GCAPFVZ – LPC: … Continue reading →

NoVAGO Board Meetings and Minutes

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NOTICE: As indicated in the NoVAGO Bylaws, members are encouraged to participate in Board meetings, along with the Officers and Directors that make up the board. The Board meets virtually every month on the third Wednesday. If you would like to attend, please reach out to officers@novago.org, and you will be sent the link and the agenda.  Meeting minutes are posted to the website forum. Minutes from the 2025 NoVAGO Board meetings can be found here: Link Your involvement helps us create a stronger community! … Continue reading →

NoVAGO 2025 Spring Picnic & Cache Awards

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NoVAGO’s 2025 Spring Picnic & Cache Awards (GCAXFZX)Community Celebration EventFranklin Park, Hillsboro Pavilion, 17501 Franklin Park Dr., PurcellvilleMay 10, 202511:00 am – 2:00 pmLog your ‘Will Attend’ now Join us in celebration! Whether you’re new to caching or have found thousands of caches, everyone is welcome to our event. We  encourage participation regardless of experience level. This is one of the two annual picnic events that NoVAGO Hosts. At this event we acknowledge the best caches and cachers of 2024 with awards – for more information: Voting is Open 4/1-4/15. Activities Cachers: You’ll have the chance to discover new caches in Northern Virginia (and elsewhere), catch up on the latest in the caching community, and meet new caching friends. It’s the perfect opportunity to share experiences and have a great time! Unique event type: A Community Celebration is a limited release event type to celebrate 25 years of geocaching. It counts as … Continue reading →

Nominations for the 2024 Awards are now Open!

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Nominations will be accepted until February 28th. Each year NoVAGO honors some of the best caches that were placed in Northern Virginia. Nominations are an opportunity for you to recognize the efforts of your fellow NoVAGO cachers who have placed hides that you have enjoyed. This list is meant to help you think of some of the best geocaches you found last year. Any questions about the 2024 awards should be sent to awards@novago.org Click here to submit nominations: CACHE AWARD NOMINATION FORM Further instructions are included on the form. The categories are listed below. For a description refer to the post: 2024 NoVAGO Award Categories -Printable worksheet to plan your nominations before heading to the nomination form: MyCacheNomination.pdf Cache Type: Best Traditional Cache Best Mystery/Puzzle Cache Best Multicache Best Letterbox Hybrid Cache Best Earthcache Best Virtual Best Wherigo Cache of the Year Best Theme/Series by Specialty: Best Container Best Cache … Continue reading →

2024 NoVAGO Award Categories

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Each year NoVAGO honors some of the best caches that were placed in Northern Virginia. Nominations are an opportunity for you to recognize the efforts of your fellow NoVAGO cachers who have placed hides that you have enjoyed. This list is meant to help you think of some of the best geocaches you found last year. For the 2024 NoVAGO Awards, nominations will be solicited for the following categories. Some changes have been introduced for some categories. Make sure that you refresh your understanding of the categories before submitting your nominations. Also, please note that none of these categories are required to be awarded each year. Cache type awards may be combined after the nomination period. -Printable worksheet to plan your nominations before heading to the nomination form: MyCacheNomination.pdf 2024 NoVAGO Cache Award Category Descriptions Cache Type: Best Traditional Cache – The familiar green box on the map, which one … Continue reading →

Welcome letter from NoVAGO’s president

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Welcome letter from NoVAGO’s president We have so much to look forward to this year! First up is our spring picnic, which is always a fantastic time for everyone to come together and enjoy some geocaching fun with friends! We’re still finalizing the date, but we’ll have it for you soon. Plus, there are two great reasons to mark your calendars: cache awards and pathtags! Every year at our spring picnic, we honor the best geocaches from the previous year with an award ceremony. Our awesome volunteers, Schwandt and MrPsyduck, will be leading the cache awards committee again this year. Keep an eye out for their announcements in the coming weeks for your chance to nominate your favorite caches in the area. Your input is essential, so stay tuned on our website or Facebook group for updates! Last year, we reached out to you for new club pathtag design submissions. … Continue reading →