Category Archives: General

General Announcements

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 →

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 →

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 →

Farewell from your 2024 President (that’s me, Gina aka ThompsonKickers)

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Here we are at the end of 2024, this year has been a great one for caching. I personally will be logging my 5000 tomorrow so that’s a nice way to start the next year.  Time has flown by and I have enjoyed the last two years as NoVAGO’s President. As we all know, all things must come to an end.  BUT when there is an end, we also find new beginnings.  I’m ready for my next chapter in the NoVAGO community as Director and former President and still have a lot to give to all.  Also with this good news of beginnings comes a new group of board members.  Heather (hrothroc) is my Presidential successor and I know she is super excited and has big ideas for the year to come. The rest of the crew is as follows;  Vice-President: Tom Waters (CherokeeThree) Secretary: Gab Sedor (sedor18) Treasurer: Freddie … Continue reading →

NoVAGO Volunteer Profiles: Geocache Placement & Maintenance

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#volunteerspotlight Did you know that NoVAGO is 100% run by volunteers? They are ordinary geocachers who want to give a voice for the the wider geocaching community while supporting efforts in their own Northern Virginia area. To spotlight opportunities in the org, we are running a series of job profiles between now and our “Thanks Event,” the annual volunteer appreciation lunch in January. NoVAGO Volunteer Profiles: Geocaching 101 Classes NoVAGO is always on the look out for volunteers willing and able to hide new geocaches in our area. If you’re interested, let us know what area of the map is your favorite and we’ll let you know if we might be able to use your services. Thank you! To offer your services, e-mail officers@novago.org … Continue reading →

NoVAGO Volunteer Profiles: Geocaching 101 Classes

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#volunteerspotlight Did you know that NoVAGO is 100% run by volunteers? They are ordinary geocachers who want to give a voice for the the wider geocaching community while supporting efforts in their own Northern Virginia area. To spotlight opportunities in the org, we are running a series of job profiles between now and our “Thanks Event,” the annual volunteer appreciation lunch in January. NoVAGO Volunteer Profiles: Geocaching 101 Classes Northern Virginia Geocaching Organization is the official face of geocaching in our area. We frequently get requests from members of our community to give presentations about the hobby. We work with schools, scouts, libraries, parks and other groups. This educational outreach is part of our commitment to safe, responsible, and environmentally responsible geocaching. Each request is unique and so every presentation must also be slightly tailored to its audience. We need volunteers who love talking about their favorite hobby, geocaching. We … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: In Memory of Dr Tooth A Magical-Mystery Bird House

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#NationalBrushYourTeethDay (November 1) November 1st is National Brush Your Teeth Day! This was not created to remind people to brush their teeth once a year (We at NoVAGO are hoping that everyone brushes their teeth more than this one day annually!) Ha hah! No, this holiday was actually created to encourage parents to make sure their kids brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes. To celebrate this holiday, we here at NoVAGO would like to spotlight a cache in Stafford called “In Memory of Dr Tooth A Magical-Mystery Bird House (GC89BKD).” This gadget cache was placed by robbitandpaul as tribute to their favorite gentile dentist. Since it was placed it has been found 92 times, earned 43 favorite points, and was awarded a coveted NoVAGO Cache Award for most creative geocache of 2019! So make sure your kids are brushing for a full two minutes, and if nearby, … Continue reading →

Spotlight Cache: NoVAGO U: Chemistry 100 & 101

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#NationalChemistryWeek (October 20–26, 2024) Today we’re celebrating #NationalChemistryWeek by spotlighting this fun puzzle in Leesburg. NoVAGO U: Chemistry 100 & 101 (GC9ZZH5) was placed by hrothroc in 2022 as part of NoVAGO’s annual cache series. In 2024, the cache now has a 74% favorite point rating. First you’ll need to check your periodic table to solve the coordinates for this cache. It should be pretty straightforward for anyone who has completed high school chemistry class. With that done, geocachers will find themselves standing in the lab (well actually the forest) trying to figure out what to do with the supplied equipment. The kit includes a 3D printed cryptex which contains the log paper. Can you figure out the key word to get inside? Be sure to check the old logs. As part of the series, contestants were encouraged to post silly photos related NoVAGO U: Chemistry 100 & 101. Here’s … Continue reading →