Explore together
- Children should use Trailkin with a trusted adult who plans the route and stays with the group.
- Use a trail nickname in discovery notes. Do not include a child’s full name, school, schedule, contact information, or recognizable routine.
- Stop if weather, traffic, terrain, wildlife, or another condition no longer feels right.
Use public, permitted places
- Hide only where placement is legal and allowed by the property manager or land rules.
- Never use homes, schools, childcare sites, medical facilities, active roadways, construction areas, rail corridors, utility equipment, protected habitats, or private property.
- A cache must be reachable without climbing, digging, damaging plants, entering water, crossing barriers, or leaving the intended public route.
Keep the container kind
- No food, medication, weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, controlled substances, adult content, tracking devices, or anything unsafe for children.
- Use weather-resistant materials and check the cache over time. Remove it promptly if conditions change.
- Never disguise a cache in a way that could reasonably be mistaken for a threat or emergency device.
Protect people in photos and notes
- Submit only images you made or have permission to share.
- Avoid faces, license plates, house numbers, school logos, documents, and exact hiding details.
- Discovery notes must be kind, spoiler-free, and free of personal information.
Review and removal
Trailkin may reject, edit, unpublish, or remove material that does not meet these rules. Report a concern to hello@makejoylabs.org. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.