GoSA Grapevine May 2019 - 19 Years of Geocaching

19 Years of Geocaching
CITO souvenirs
Cache of the Month

19 Years of Geocaching

So after the rush of getting into the 2019 year, we suddenly find ourselves in the middle of the year. It's public holiday and school holiday season (and election day too creating an extra day off work), so work productivity slows down, and everyone gets more time to geocache. The Cache Carnival event is also over, did you get all the souvenirs?

One thing that happened this month, is geocaching turns 19 years old, with the first geocache (or "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" as it was called at the time) being hidden on the 3 May 2000. You can read more about the history of geocaching on the Groundspeak website here.

Cache In Trash Out Souvenirs

CITO225x225 Cache In Trash Out® is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community.

Since 2002, geocachers around the world have been dedicated to improving parks and other cache-friendly places. Through these volunteer efforts, we help preserve the natural beauty of our outdoor resources! Geocachers around the world celebrate International Cache In Trash Out annually by hosting and participating in Cache In Trash Out Events in their local area. Events might be focused on litter clean-up, removal of invasive species, revegetation efforts or building trails. Together, we make an enormous positive impact. Did we mention that we also have a bit of fun while we're at it?

This year, Cache In Trash Out® souvenir moments will extend from just one week, twice a year, to two entire seasons. This year’s CITO dates are:

CITO 2019, Season 1
Friday, March 1 through Friday, May 31, 2019. That includes all of March, April, and May!

CITO 2019, Season 2
Sunday, September 1 through Saturday, November 30, 2019. That includes all of September, October, and November!

To earn the CITO 2019, Season 1 and the CITO 2019, Season 2 souvenirs, all you need to do is attend or host any CITO event during each of the two seasons, but remember you will only earn one souvenir per season.

If you haven't earned your Season 1 Cito yet, you only have a few weeks left.

Cache of the Month

This month's COTM revolved around the best traditional geocache. We received several excellent nominations and it was tough to choose a winner. After much deliberation, we are proud to announce that TIKOLOSHE in142 (GC7G23C ) is May's Cache of the Month. It is an innovative traditional that celebrates the life of a cacher. Be sure to check it out if you visit Margate.

For the next couple of months we will be focusing on all the different cache types. June's COTM will be for the best multicache out there. Please email us at to submit your nomination.

Mega Merchandise

The GoSA Store still has some Jozi Jol Mega 2018 Silver Geocoins for sale, you can place your order online. We also have some stock of geocoins from the previous Mega events available. There is also very limited Jozi Jol Mega 2018 stock left, check the GoSA Store for details of what is left in stock.

We are always on the lookout for photos from events or cool caches, as well as any fun, interesting, unusual or exciting geocaching stories to share with the geocaching community. If you want to share yours, send it to us by emailing it to our webmasters.