The Silver Masters pin required that in addition to the three EarthCaches we found in two different states for our Bronze Masters pins, we needed to develop our own EarthCache. L. did this in conjunction with a 4-H project last spring and dubbed it Gem Trackers. The EarthCache involves mining for gems at Mt. Apatite, a place my kids really enjoy.
We also had to find three additional EarthCaches respresenting three states for the Silver level (i.e., we had to find one in a state other than Maine or New Hampshire, which were the locations of our two state requirement for Bronze).
It sounds like a lot of work, and it sort of is, but it's also been a really great learning experience for everyone in the family as well.
For the Silver Masters pin we were able to incorporate EarthCaching into our family weekend vacations this past year. During our trip to Acadia last May we completed the Acadia National Park EarthCache Program (this program involved finding six EarthCaches to complete but it only counted as one EarthCache "find" for the Masters).
Then in the fall we visited the Debsconeag Ice Cave in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area during our weekend trip to Baxter State Park. That was a memorable trip for a couple of reasons, including this EarthCache.
And to log a find in a new state, we made a short detour on our way home from NYC to find the Dinosaur Footprints EarthCache in Massachusetts.
Now the girls are talking about what we need to do for our Gold Masters pin. That one requires we find six more EarthCaches, with at least one being from another state (not MA, NH or ME) and developing another EarthCache of our own. The girls have an idea about the location of our next EarthCache development project but it will be a while before we take a trip beyond New England to log that 4th state.
But setting a new goal is always a good thing, especially for the kids, so we'll see how things shake out this year while we go for the Gold.
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