SJCC: Oak Traditional Cache

South Jersey Checkpoint Challenge
Checkpoint Oak



Welcome to Stafford Farm in Voorhees Township, NJ. This cache will fulfill the “Oak” requirement for the South Jersey Checkpoint Challenge.

Congratulations to katiesmom for FTF

Please do not cross the fence line onto the active namesake horse farm that adjoins/is part of this tract of land.

I have brought you to an enjoyable tract of preserved open space accessible via the Stafford Trail. This is a positive example of your tax dollars at work. The area is comprised of a large open field, pond, large wooded area, hiking trail, and an abundance of wildlife. I have been here several times and have seen deer on every occasion...as many as 25 at a time the afternoon that I placed the cache.

In spite of my involvment in this series/challenge, I am not that tree/plant savvy so I am not able to list all of the various species that can be found here, but rest assured, they are plentiful and varied including Oak, Maple, Laurel, Holly, and Pine.

I have done a bit of exploring and have found remnants of farm machinery, structures, old bottles, and a pile of horseshoes. Take time to explore for yourself...who knows what you might discover. I recommend at least walking the perimiter of the large field, keeping noise to a minimum, and your eyes open for the best chance to encounter a herd of whitetails. The trail through the woods is very pretty and peaceful so why not take advantage of that too. None of these recommendations are required to find your way to the hide.

I rated the terrain 2.5 solely due to some uneven ground and 150' of minor bushwacking. Only the smallest of children may find it minimally difficult...in fact a child may have an easier time navigating to GZ than an adult...no, you don't have to crawl. I think you will agree when you get to GZ that the hiding spot is about as appropriate as it gets.

If you are going for this cache you may as well solve Frodo's "Cartography" puzzle cache and grab it while in the neighborhood...parking and trailhead coords are good for both hides.

Cache contains some swag most appropriate to younger cachers, a non-trackable Oak Coins gold coin, and an Abe is awaiting the FTF'er.

Official SJCC Information
The South Jersey Geocachers (SJG) are sponsoring the South Jersey Checkpoint Challenge series. This challenge is intended to take geocachers on a tour of Southern New Jersey (loosely defined as south of I-195) while finding caches placed by members of the SJG. On the tour, we hope you will find South Jersey an interesting and beautiful part of our great state.

Scattered around the area are 26 checkpoint caches and a final challenge cache - South Jersey Checkpoint Challenge (GC1NJDZ). The names of the individual checkpoint caches are based on a phonetic alphabet using plants to represent the diversity of ecosystems that you will encounter on your tour of Southern New Jersey. You may even run into the infamous Jersey Devil while you're there. The 26 checkpoints do not have to be completed in any particular order. See the SJCheckpoint bookmark for the complete list of caches.

Hidden within the 26 checkpoint caches are numbers to be used in determining the coordinates of the final South Jersey Checkpoint Challenge cache – please be sure to note them while you are there.

While there are no special logging requirements for the 26 checkpoint caches, there are special logging requirements for the final challenge cache. Complete information can be found on the South Jersey Checkpoint Challenge (GC1NJDZ) cache page.

Note: If you do not sign the log that is in the cache you may not claim it as a find. If I check for your sig and it is not there your find WILL be deleted.

This cache is certified South Jersey