North Central Ohio Geocachers has adopted a section of Ohio highway in Crawford County. The selcted section is on State Route 19 West of Galion, starting at Shearer Road and ending at Parcher Road. We are responsible for trash pickup in the right of way. This will generally be from the berm / grass point, to the utility poles. If no utility poles, then genearally 20' from the berm. Our goal is to coordinate CITO events with Geocaching.com for each scheduled event. By doing this we meet our requirements of litter pickup, and you will gain a smiley count and CITO logo for your Geocaching Profile. The coordinates for the East and West boundaries of the pickup location are as follows:

West Boundary: N 40 46.289 W 082 54.088

East Boundary: N 40 45.490 W 082 52.069

Meeting Location (Heckert Nature Preserve Parking): N 40 45.793 W 082 52.599

According to program adoption rules, it is our responsibility to clean up this stretch of road 4 times per year for a minimum of 2 years. Our goal is to make this a long standing program for North Central Ohio Geocachers, and continue this program far into the future. At the 5 year mark, NCOG will become a Gold Star Group, which will give us the Gold Star Sign as well as other benefits. Let's work toward this goal together and achieve this successful mark!

For each scheduled pickup, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will provide trash bags, orange safety vests, and caution signs which will be posted at each boundary of our pickup areas. NCOG will be responsible for contacting ODOT County Office 5-7 days prior to scheduled pickup, and traveling to the County Garage to pickup the supplies either 1 or 2 days prior to pickup. Following the scheduled pickup, NCOG will be responsible for returning these items to the County Garage. NCOG Steering Committee and volunteering members will cover all pickup and drop off needs for the pickup events. All you will need to do is follow the rules and regulations found below, show up with the needed items outlined below, and help out a great cause in our county! NCOG THANKS you for participation in this program! What a great way to give back to our community for allowing geocaching!

On pickup day, we will meet at the above Meeting Coordinates at Heckert Nature Preserve parking area. At the scheduled meeting time, we will give a brief safety meeting, which is outlined on the ODOT Website. One of the NCOG Steering Committee members will present this safety meeting. Following the safety meeting, you will be required to sign 2 release waivers: 1 from ODOT, 1 from NCOG. These will release both parties and all participants from any legalities from injury, property damage, etc. In other words: each participant is responsible for their own actions!

Children under 12 are not permitted to participate. Children age 12-18 must have a parent or guardian sign a Release Waiver for each participating child. These forms will be available at the Safety Briefing prior to each scheduled pickup. Pets are also not permitted.

Following this safety briefing, we will have volunteers carpool pickup personel to each end of the pickup location. You will be dropped off, and you must face traffic as you pickup (IE: W to E, Pickup on N side of road. E to W, Pickup on S side of road.). This is a 2 mile stretch of highway. After picking up this 2 mile stretch, radio or cell phone call to your volunteer pickup person, and they will return you to the meeting point.

Once all volunteers return to the meeting point, we will then travel to a pre-designated location for lunch. This will rotate from each event for a series of locations. Prior to arrival, NCOG volunteers will need to help remove the Shoulder Work signs from our Adopt A Highway signs. We will load these up to return to the garage sometime in the following day or two.

We have compiled a list of things to bring for each of these pickup events. We will have 2 sections: Must Have and Recommended. ODOT will supply NCOG with orange safety vests that MUST BE WORN BY ALL PARTICIPANTS! No exceptions! You need to bring the following:

NCOG will supply 5 gallon buckets also. These buckets are easier to fill with trash, then dump into a bag. Otherwise wind will blow bags into the weeds, etc. and tear. Also, NCOG will recycle aluminum cans. If you find aluminum cans, we will supply you with clear trashbags. Please crush the cans, and place them in the clear bags. We will bring these back to the meeting location. NCOG will recycle and use the funds from these for award purchases, etc.

Below are the following item NOT to bring to the pickup. These are for your own safety. Please follow strictly!

By participating in this cleanup and or CITO event, you agree to the Guidelines and liability disclaimer found on this and all cache pages. You also agree that your particpation is at your own risk, and all injuries and or personal or public damages are at your responsibility. NCOG and the steering committee thereof are NOT insured, and will not be held liable in the event of injury or damages caused by participating individuals, both personal and public. All release waivers must be signed at all events or you will not be permitted to participate in the event. Also, you must attend each safety meeting prior to each pickup. If you fail to attend, you will not be permitted to participate.

Thanks again, and enjoy!