President's Message John Neale ~ Old Navy
Welcome to the exciting world of geocaching! On behalf of the officers of the Northern New Jersey Cachers (NNJC), a non-profit geocaching organization, we would like to invite you to look into and join our organization. The purpose of our organization is to promote, communicate and provide general information about the growing sport of geocaching in New Jersey.
We have included a new Log in / Registration tab for anyone interested in becoming member to join NNJC. Please see info on this page, and help support NNJC! THIS IS ALSO FOR ALL EXISTING MEMBERS, please register with your email information. We are a group, comprised of geocachers from all over the tri-state area with the common goal of enjoying quality geocaching in Northern New Jersey. Since 2005, NNJC has promoted this sport and helped bring together a community of people from all walks of life, and by providing resources to those just starting out! Through our NNJC website you can discover area meet and greets, caching events, milestones, popular caches, frequently asked questions and contacts for other cachers in your area. NNJC meets the First Monday of each month in Parsippany, everyone is welcome to attend the gathering. Whether geocaching becomes your hobby, sport, activity or obsession, we want to welcome you and offer any assistance we can, as you become part of our geocaching community. Membership is free join and become part of a local and tight-knit geocaching community with the same active interest of geocaching in New Jersey. Register at our Facebook and Instagram social media sites. All we ask, is that you spread the word about geocaching, and again welcome aboard! Also, make sure you add September 14th, 2019 to your calendar for the Metro Gathering Mega Event! We moved it earlier with the "Pirates of Port Royale" Theme. Lots information about the 2019 Mega can be found at Metrogathering.org ~ LINK If you have any questions, feel free to let us know on our Contact us page. Sincerely, John Neale, ~ "Old Navy" President ~ NNJC.org Metrogathering.org |
Monthly Meetings:
First Monday of the Month @ Fuddruckers 3159 Route 46 East Parsippany, NJ 07054 We are in the back room. 
Welcome to the new Log in / Registration (FREE) for anyone who wants to join and become a member of NNJC. This is also for existing "members" please register your information! By registering at the tab above you will become a member and receive email notifications of events, and the future newsletter!
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Memo from the President's desk
Greetings,
NNJC is getting through winter like most of us wanting spring to arrive so we can get out and enjoy some spring weather.
We had a fun Caching through the snow 14 in February, hosted a Geo-101 at the Kemmerer Library as well as a few other events.
There is a Creation Celebration event at Fud April 1st at our regular first Monday meeting, all attendees will get a HQ icon which is part of the cache carnival.
The new Adventure Labs have arrived in NJ, download the new app and see Scooters Waterloo Village 5 Lab series. NNJC will be launching a 10 part series this month too.
We continue to develop the 2019 "Pirates of Port Royale" Mega event, the registration will open in early April Check out the cool Pirate coin and watch for the 2019 "Golden Ticket" contest to begin in April too.
Watch for upcoming details on the exciting new American Revolution Patriot geocache trail passport program across New Jersey!
NNJC continues to grow and make new partnerships with organizations to bring quality Geocaching programs to the community. Please submit information you want included too.
Happy Caching,
John Neale Old Navy
NNJC is getting through winter like most of us wanting spring to arrive so we can get out and enjoy some spring weather.
We had a fun Caching through the snow 14 in February, hosted a Geo-101 at the Kemmerer Library as well as a few other events.
There is a Creation Celebration event at Fud April 1st at our regular first Monday meeting, all attendees will get a HQ icon which is part of the cache carnival.
The new Adventure Labs have arrived in NJ, download the new app and see Scooters Waterloo Village 5 Lab series. NNJC will be launching a 10 part series this month too.
We continue to develop the 2019 "Pirates of Port Royale" Mega event, the registration will open in early April Check out the cool Pirate coin and watch for the 2019 "Golden Ticket" contest to begin in April too.
Watch for upcoming details on the exciting new American Revolution Patriot geocache trail passport program across New Jersey!
NNJC continues to grow and make new partnerships with organizations to bring quality Geocaching programs to the community. Please submit information you want included too.
Happy Caching,
John Neale Old Navy
The American Revolution Patriot
Geo-trail coming soon!
Stay tuned for details when NNJC launches The American Revolution Patriot geo trail across new Jersey with stops from Fort Lee to Washington's Crossing!
ARRRR, Get ready for a Pirate Adventure
coming this September
Get ready to join the metro gathering mega team in September as we sail into the old village of Port Royale and look for Pirate treasure!
The Pirates of Port Royale Geocoin with a real sandy beach will be available for pre order as soon as registration opens up at metrogathering.org
Designed by Old Navy
The Pirates of Port Royale Geocoin with a real sandy beach will be available for pre order as soon as registration opens up at metrogathering.org
Designed by Old Navy
Creation Celebration!
Want to learn more about creating caches? Share your best creation? Tell us about a really interesting cache you found? Attend a creation celebration near you.
April 1
GC84657 Creation Celebration: NNJC Story Telling. Parsippany, Morris County.
Come Join the Northern New Jersey Cachers, as we host and celebrate geocaching creativity and diversity around the world with a Creation Celebration event!
April 6
GC84FW9 Creation Celebration: Make Your Own Puzzle Party! Freehold, Monmouth County
This event carries on the grand tradition of past BYOP events - no, not Bring Your Own PEN, but Bring Your Own PUZZLE! ...Except this time, in honor of the Creation Celebration, the focus is going to be on how to MAKE your own puzzle!
April 7
GC84AZC Creation Celebration: Film making in Geocaching. Ridgewood, Bergen County
Talk about film making in geocaching as well as the Geocaching International Film Festival.
April 14
GC84BHT Creation Celebration: Crafting Quality Caches Plainsboro, Middlesex County
Creating a quality cache is more than just hiding Tupperware in the woods! If you're new to hiding geocaches, this educational workshop will introduce you to the most common mistakes that new cache creators make and how to avoid them.
April 1
GC84657 Creation Celebration: NNJC Story Telling. Parsippany, Morris County.
Come Join the Northern New Jersey Cachers, as we host and celebrate geocaching creativity and diversity around the world with a Creation Celebration event!
April 6
GC84FW9 Creation Celebration: Make Your Own Puzzle Party! Freehold, Monmouth County
This event carries on the grand tradition of past BYOP events - no, not Bring Your Own PEN, but Bring Your Own PUZZLE! ...Except this time, in honor of the Creation Celebration, the focus is going to be on how to MAKE your own puzzle!
April 7
GC84AZC Creation Celebration: Film making in Geocaching. Ridgewood, Bergen County
Talk about film making in geocaching as well as the Geocaching International Film Festival.
April 14
GC84BHT Creation Celebration: Crafting Quality Caches Plainsboro, Middlesex County
Creating a quality cache is more than just hiding Tupperware in the woods! If you're new to hiding geocaches, this educational workshop will introduce you to the most common mistakes that new cache creators make and how to avoid them.
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It's CITO season! Time to help out at our favorite parks by picking up the trash and repairing trails (and it looks like fixing a bridge, too). We have several opportunities in Central and Northern New Jersey.
March 30:
GC83R86 Metro CITI, Warinanco Park Elizabeth, Union County. Refreshments will be served!
April 27:
GC83B88 DealaMan Park CITO Trail Maintenance. Dealaman Park is located in Warren, Somerset County. A t-shirt, trash bags and water will be provided. If you plan to attend please note your T-shirt size in the log.
GC83KQK 13th High Mountain Earth Day. This is located in High Mountain Reserve Park, Wayne, Passaic County. Trash bags and donuts will be provided and everyone who arrives at the event will receive an event button.
May 4:
GC84TMC Whittmore CITO & Picnic. Whittmore CCC is located in Oldwick, Hunterdon County. Please bring work gloves for mulching the trails, battery powered screw drivers for repairing and building a wooden bridge. OPTIONAL LUNCH: We will supply water for attendees. Please feel free to bring a lunch, and any beverage or food and snacks to share with you fellow Geocachers!
Recent 2019 NNJC Events
CrAzY cAcHeRs Unite - Late Night Diner Run! 3/2/19
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Another Night Owl event hosted by RyClops11.
This (hopefully annual) event was well attended by approximately 20 North, Central, and even some South Jersey cachers (who drove 130 miles to get there). The upstairs dining room was packed with friends, food, Geochat, TB drops and TB discoveries. Let's not forget the door prizes: Geocoin, Magnetic Key Holder and a Travel Bug. All supplied by our favorite night time host. Thank you, Ryan, for another fun filled event! |
Caching Through The Snow 14 ~ 2/24/19
After a 2 year hiatus, this annual event has been revived. The “Winter Picnic” was held at the Great Swamp Watershed Association's 73 acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) just off Harter Road in Morristown. There was more mud than snow but the mushy terrain did not stop the 40+ attendees from enjoying a campfire (complete with S’mores!), tasty hot cocoa, a geocache cake, and other treats. Everyone took home an NNJC bookmark created by 2nd Cup, Pip$queek and Speedy#1.
Roxbury Devil contributed to the fun with a St Patrick’s trivia game and he provided the prizes! Several new caches were published during our event and a large group headed out in a race for the FTFs. (Ok, really, it was a group thing. There was no pushing or shoving. Everyone shared the FTF. )
There might not have been a lot of snow but there was a lot of fun!
Thank you, Debbie Smith and Jen Kaufmann for all the event planning.
Roxbury Devil contributed to the fun with a St Patrick’s trivia game and he provided the prizes! Several new caches were published during our event and a large group headed out in a race for the FTFs. (Ok, really, it was a group thing. There was no pushing or shoving. Everyone shared the FTF. )
There might not have been a lot of snow but there was a lot of fun!
Thank you, Debbie Smith and Jen Kaufmann for all the event planning.
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Welcome New GeoCachers!
February 23, the Kemmerer Library in Harding Township held an Introduction to Geocaching session presented by our president, John Neale (aka Old Navy). Approximately, 25 people attended this informational event including a local Girl Scout Troop. They were preparing to earn their Geocaching Badge. This is not a simple task. They have to complete 5 requirements:
1. Learn about geocaching
2. Learn to use a GPS
3. SWAG
4. Go caching!
5. Trackables
The presentation covered some of the requirements: the history of geocaching, how the satellites work, what are trackables, how to access the Geocaching Website and how to use the GPS. The troop applied this knowledge and immediately jumped into a Geocaching adventure. They found the library cache, solved the nearby puzzle cache, and discovered 3 additional caches in Bayne Park. They found SWAG, a trackable and earned their badge!
Special thanks to Speedy#1, Pip$queak, 2ndCup, and Chrmdome for placing two new caches in the park to add to fun!
1. Learn about geocaching
2. Learn to use a GPS
3. SWAG
4. Go caching!
5. Trackables
The presentation covered some of the requirements: the history of geocaching, how the satellites work, what are trackables, how to access the Geocaching Website and how to use the GPS. The troop applied this knowledge and immediately jumped into a Geocaching adventure. They found the library cache, solved the nearby puzzle cache, and discovered 3 additional caches in Bayne Park. They found SWAG, a trackable and earned their badge!
Special thanks to Speedy#1, Pip$queak, 2ndCup, and Chrmdome for placing two new caches in the park to add to fun!
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Cachers' Corner
Editor: Lynn Fernandez Lynn08
"Send us your stories about your geocaching experiences"
Revelation!
by Lynn8
When my friend started geocaching I was mortified. We’d stop in parking lots and lift light post boxes. We’d rustle around bushes. We’d rummage through planters. Wander through corporate parks searching under benches! I kept expecting to see police, security guards, or soccer moms squinting suspiciously at us. With each find my friend was ecstatic. I was cringing.
Then we went to Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. They have two Geotrails: TALON and Duke Farms. At last, I thought, a place where no one is going to yell at me, ticket me or think I was an urban terrorist.
I grabbed a map of Duke Farms, the Geotrails flyer, went home, opened Google maps and started plugging in the co-ordinates. I noted the locations on my paper map. I wrote down observations from the satellite view (under big tree, close to that intersection). I broke it down into several small visits. (I really like the brownies in the café so it was sort of an excuse to keep going back.)
Duke Farms Geotrail Cache GC3E42F, is comprised of 11 caches. In the caches you will find a letter. Write it down, solve the puzzle on the flyer and when you return to the orientation center you will receive a Duke Farms path tag. You don't need to complete the Geotrails to enjoy the caches at the farm. Each cache details the history and significance of its location. The Hay Barn had burned down and a sculpture garden took up residency inside the stone walls. At the Orchid range you can stick your nose in the orchids. If you're there at the right time you can see the waterfalls spilling into the lake.
I can't tell you about the TALON Geotrail GC5YE2D. I haven't started it yet but I have it all mapped out!
You may walk the trails, rent or bring your own bike, There is no admission fee. For more information visit https://www.dukefarms.org/
Revelation!
by Lynn8
When my friend started geocaching I was mortified. We’d stop in parking lots and lift light post boxes. We’d rustle around bushes. We’d rummage through planters. Wander through corporate parks searching under benches! I kept expecting to see police, security guards, or soccer moms squinting suspiciously at us. With each find my friend was ecstatic. I was cringing.
Then we went to Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. They have two Geotrails: TALON and Duke Farms. At last, I thought, a place where no one is going to yell at me, ticket me or think I was an urban terrorist.
I grabbed a map of Duke Farms, the Geotrails flyer, went home, opened Google maps and started plugging in the co-ordinates. I noted the locations on my paper map. I wrote down observations from the satellite view (under big tree, close to that intersection). I broke it down into several small visits. (I really like the brownies in the café so it was sort of an excuse to keep going back.)
Duke Farms Geotrail Cache GC3E42F, is comprised of 11 caches. In the caches you will find a letter. Write it down, solve the puzzle on the flyer and when you return to the orientation center you will receive a Duke Farms path tag. You don't need to complete the Geotrails to enjoy the caches at the farm. Each cache details the history and significance of its location. The Hay Barn had burned down and a sculpture garden took up residency inside the stone walls. At the Orchid range you can stick your nose in the orchids. If you're there at the right time you can see the waterfalls spilling into the lake.
I can't tell you about the TALON Geotrail GC5YE2D. I haven't started it yet but I have it all mapped out!
You may walk the trails, rent or bring your own bike, There is no admission fee. For more information visit https://www.dukefarms.org/
NNJC IN THE NEWS
Geocaching: Get outside for a tech treasure hunt
Michele S. Byers published Northjersey.com Feb. 25, 2019
Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation
Geocaching began in 2000 when GPS coordinates for the first documented cache location in Oregon were posted online. Nearly two decades later, more than 3 million active geocaches are hidden around the world and published on websites.
New Jersey alone has thousands! Some parks even have dedicated geocache trails, like the one created by the Northern New Jersey Cachers club at the Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary and Arts Center in Tewksbury Township.
New Jersey alone has thousands! Some parks even have dedicated geocache trails, like the one created by the Northern New Jersey Cachers club at the Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary and Arts Center in Tewksbury Township.
NNJC mentioned in Black River Journal ~ Whittemore article
(click on pages to read)
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Revisiting NNJC History:
This is the Cablevision TV video of the Northern New Jersey cachers, (NNJC )members presenting Geocaching and community service, filmed at the Great Swamp WaterShed Asso (GSWA), Conservation Management Area 5/7/12. |
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Check out the new NNJC eBay.com store for many available NNJC coins and pathtags!
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NNJC'S MEMBERS CORNER
PHOTO'S OF OUR MEMBERS ENJOYING LOCAL GEOCACHING!
The Sanderson Sisters roaming the Witches of Salem Mega village
We had another record turnout at the 5th Annual MetroGathering.org Mega event, "The Witches of Salem" on 10/20/18. We also launched the 2nd annual "Golden Ticket" contest with 100 lucky finders received a limited Geocoin!
ImSpider
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2018 Golden Ticket
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Stephan and Eric setting up the Tunnel Lab Cache!
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Geocaching International Film Festival 2018 in review
 Jon - GeoElmo and Mis Jenn at Geocaching HQ, Seattle Wa
This past November, almost 18,000 geocachers attended Geocaching International Film Festival events. From movie theater seats and living-room couches, geocachers all around the world celebrated the 16 GIFF finalist films.
This year HQ is excited to share a very special video created by geocacher and previous GIFF finalist, Geoelmo6000. He gathered and edited footage from this year’s film finalists and GIFF events to create this exclusive recap. Watch the film now: |
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EDITOR:
Ryan Hennigan
RyClops11
NNJC'S
Newest Featured Geocache
Newest Featured Geocache
"Bates TB Motel" (GC74RYB) is a top notch travel bug hotel located in Morris Plains, NJ. It was created and hidden by Fur007 in late April of 2017. Since then not only has it accumulated many well deserved favorite points, but it has even been awarded the "Five Bug Award" from "Travel Bug Hotels of America". The "Five Bug Award" is their highest rating available and the NNJC believes that "Bates TB Motel" has earned it! Make sure to check out this awesome Geocache on your next Geocaching adventure! Cache page LINK
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GEOCACHING PHOTOS AROUND THE COUNTRY
What do you come across while Geocaching?
We will feature your videos and photos of the interesting, unusual, strange and funny things or places you come across while out on your Geocaching adventure!
We will feature your videos and photos of the interesting, unusual, strange and funny things or places you come across while out on your Geocaching adventure!
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The Red Coats are coming ~ Link |
Guest Editor:
Stephan Szardenings
​RoxburyDevil
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My fellow geocachers, with 2018 coming to a close, I thought of a wonderful idea to share those
2018 memorable geocaches found during this past year that others may find that inspired you.The following list - include GC number, name, type of cache, where it was located, and why special.
1) GC1CYZC - American WWII Aircraft - B29 Super Fortress in Randolph, New Jersey. Puzzle Cache. This was culmination of finding 23 geocaches in the series to find a whopper of an ammo can! Great history on the cache pages!
2) GC2HN2H - Raiders of the Lost Cache in Mannheim, PA
Traditional Cache. Probably one of the most favorited geocaches on the east coast. Just plain fun!
3) GC3JAY4 - Tin Man just northeast of Albany, NY. Traditional cache. Great workmanship. Theme geocache. CO a great guy if you meet him.
4) GC6KFT3 - History at the Lenox Library in Lenox, MA. Puzzle Cache. Awesome old, historical library. Fun field puzzle stages inside of the library!
5) GC7B840 - US History: Saratoga Monument & Victory Woods, in Saratoga NY. Virtual cache. National historical monument. One of the tallest obelisks in NE. Lots of history, and park personnel will give you a tour! And you get to climb to the top!
6) GC650VC - Indian Echo Caverns, near Hershey, PA. Earth cache. Privately owned caverns that provide guided tours. Very nice. Especially on a hot summer day!
Stephan Szardenings
RoxburyDevil
2018 memorable geocaches found during this past year that others may find that inspired you.The following list - include GC number, name, type of cache, where it was located, and why special.
1) GC1CYZC - American WWII Aircraft - B29 Super Fortress in Randolph, New Jersey. Puzzle Cache. This was culmination of finding 23 geocaches in the series to find a whopper of an ammo can! Great history on the cache pages!
2) GC2HN2H - Raiders of the Lost Cache in Mannheim, PA
Traditional Cache. Probably one of the most favorited geocaches on the east coast. Just plain fun!
3) GC3JAY4 - Tin Man just northeast of Albany, NY. Traditional cache. Great workmanship. Theme geocache. CO a great guy if you meet him.
4) GC6KFT3 - History at the Lenox Library in Lenox, MA. Puzzle Cache. Awesome old, historical library. Fun field puzzle stages inside of the library!
5) GC7B840 - US History: Saratoga Monument & Victory Woods, in Saratoga NY. Virtual cache. National historical monument. One of the tallest obelisks in NE. Lots of history, and park personnel will give you a tour! And you get to climb to the top!
6) GC650VC - Indian Echo Caverns, near Hershey, PA. Earth cache. Privately owned caverns that provide guided tours. Very nice. Especially on a hot summer day!
Stephan Szardenings
RoxburyDevil
Ordering a new pathtag this year?
Please consider choosing the NNJC back during your back selection. This is a fund raiser and proceeds will go to support NNJC!
Samples are shown in different metals.
NNJC Car Magnets
Join and become a member of NNJC
We now have a new Log in / Registration tab for anyone who wants the join NNJC and become a member. This is also for existing "members" please register your information! After you register you will then receive an email and become a member. Please note this email will be within a week or sooner.
As a member you will receive email notifications of events, and the future newsletter! You will also gain access to NNJC's "members only" area of the website.(under development)
We now have a new Log in / Registration tab for anyone who wants the join NNJC and become a member. This is also for existing "members" please register your information! After you register you will then receive an email and become a member. Please note this email will be within a week or sooner.
As a member you will receive email notifications of events, and the future newsletter! You will also gain access to NNJC's "members only" area of the website.(under development)
WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS
We are working on many improvements to the NNJC website and are always looking for volunteers! If you would like to join and volunteer some time to assist with website development, content, photos, articles, newsletter, we could use your help!
Please submit through the contact us link!
We are working on many improvements to the NNJC website and are always looking for volunteers! If you would like to join and volunteer some time to assist with website development, content, photos, articles, newsletter, we could use your help!
Please submit through the contact us link!
NNJC Newsletter
We are planning on implementing a new updated newsletter in 2019 to keep you updated on many exciting NNJC events and features.
We ask you to become involved and submit your stories, photos and we'll include them each month! We are also working on enhancing the NNJC membership with better communications, and information.
We are planning on implementing a new updated newsletter in 2019 to keep you updated on many exciting NNJC events and features.
We ask you to become involved and submit your stories, photos and we'll include them each month! We are also working on enhancing the NNJC membership with better communications, and information.
NNJC EVENTS, ROAD TRIPS& TRAVELS
Check out the NNJC Calendar for updates on future events, road trips and travels. We are always working on many great adventures for our members, friends and families. We are now working on our 2019 Calendar, let us know if you have an idea for an event or travel. Please send in your photo's!
