The Ohio Exploration Society tries to promote legal urban exploration by asking permission to enter one's property. We try to do this as often as possible, but if the place is abandoned and we can't find anyone to give us permission, we usually go in anyway. There are certain guidelines that we follow while urban exploring to keep us safe and reduce the risks of getting in trouble if we encounter law enforcement. Listed below are some of these rules; the OES Code of Conduct.
 

 AGE REQUIREMENTS
  • Anyone participating in exploration with the Ohio Exploration Society (OES) MUST be at least 18 years of age. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (i.e. trespassing) is against the law and could result in further prosecution.
  • Those who are under 18 years of age may explore on their own accord in no way related to the OES and contribute pictures and information to the OES, but they will not be considered for OES membership and will not go to official OES explorations until they reach age 18.
 RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Each person participating in OES explorations must take complete responsibility for their own actions. If caught by law enforcement, proper conduct should be shown along with respect for the law, and be ready to admit wrongdoing.
  • All fines and penalties are the sole responsibility of each individual member.
  • Each person participating in OES explorations are responsible for their own safety and well being. The OES currently has members who are first-aid and CPR certified and always carries a first-aid kit and cell phone on all explorations.
  • Persons exploring with the OES agree not to hold property owners nor the OES responsible for anything that may happen to them while out with the group.
  • Persons conducting paranormal investigations with the OES who are involved in romantic relationships should reserve public displays of affection (i.e. kissing, hugging, etc.) for a time after an investigation has taken place. PDA could result in credibility issues and detract from issues at hand.
 THEFT ISSUES
  • The OES will NOT TOLERATE THEFT. This means do not take ANYTHING at all! It doesn't matter if it's an old piece of paper or a brand new television. Not only will the group as a whole be in more trouble if caught by law enforcement, but it will lead to increased security of the location. If anything, pick something up, look at it, and put it back where it was obtained. Let other urban explorers enjoy the thrill of finding these things also.
  • If an individual is found to be committing a theft while on an exploration with the OES, that individual will NOT be welcome to other explorations, will be banned from all OES activities, and their OES membership will be revoked.
  • Taking things as souvenirs without the property owner's permission is considered theft. If a property owner is not there to grant permission, DON'T TAKE IT!
 VANDALISM ISSUES
  • While exploring with the OES, do not vandalize anything! This means no breaking of windows, busting of walls, spray painting, tagging, or any other destructive activity. Find a way into a the location that is already open. This will reduce the security issues associated with vandalism and breaking & entering. Vandalism can lead to greater prosecution of caught be law enforcement.
  • If a spot must be marked for future reference, do so in a non-destructive manner. Use masking tape, reflective tape, or nylon strings. Always take these items down to reuse or throw away. DO NOT leave them behind.
  • Individuals caught vandalizing while on an OES exploration will NOT be welcome to other explorations, will be banned from all OES activities, and their OES membership will be revoked.
 TRESPASSING ISSUES
  • The Ohio Exploration Society will use all means necessary to obtain permission to enter privately owned property or publicly managed sites. When possible, written permission is preferred.
  • If a No Trespassing sign is present at the location of a potential exploration site, the OES will not enter the property unless permission has been granted by the site's owner (s).
  • If there is not a No Trespassing sign present at the location and the OES has not obtained permission to enter the property, it will be each individual's decision to enter the property or to sit out on the exploration. No one will be pressured to enter a location at any time.
  • Breaking and entering will not be tolerated when exploring with the OES. If there is no previously created opening to the structure, the OES will not enter that structure. However, the structure will be kept under moderate observation by OES Coordinators to watch for any opening that could appear.
 EVIDENCE & PROPERTY RIGHTS
  • While conducting paranormal investigations with the OES, tampering with any evidence (i.e. EVP, photography, etc.) or tampering with evidence during analysis will result with the OES member being dismissed from the investigation and perhaps termination of OES membership.
  • All materials (i.e. EVP, photos, videos, etc.) gathered either as a group or individually, while remaining the property of the individual who obtained the material, should be shared with the OES for posting on its Web site. Any materials gathered will remain on the OES website, even if the individual leaves the organization. Proper credit will be given in all cases.
 ALCOHOL &/OR DRUG USE
  • Drug and/or alcohol use before or during an exploration/investigation is PROHIBITED. Urban exploration is dangerous enough when sober and use of such materials could jeopardize a credibility during an investigation.
  • Smoking is permitted only in designated areas during OES expeditions. It is not always known what kind of gasses or other substances could be in the air during an exploration. Ashes from smoking could cause a fire inside of a dry abandoned building or in dry grass and could result in false images during paranormal investigations.
  • Save these activities until after an exploration/investigation is complete, if so desired.
  • Any person exploring/investigating with the OES and who does not comply with this rule may be asked to leave the current activity and may not be invited to return in the future.
 PROPER IDENTIFICATION
  • Any persons exploring with the OES must carry proper photo identification at all times.
  • If an individual is encountered by law enforcement, offer the ID to the law enforcement officer, even if they do not request it. This will show that there is nothing to hide.
 LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUES
  • If law enforcement is encountered during an OES exploration, DO NOT RUN! Running from the police is about the worst thing one could do. Not only will you probably get caught, but it will make the entire group as a whole look guilty or that there is something to hide. Remember, a law enforcement officer can always call in back-up.
  • Approach law enforcement officers with proper respect and positive attitude. Nine times out of ten, if one is polite and cooperative with law enforcement, they will dismiss the incident with just a warning. Sometimes law enforcement will provide more information on the place or give other locations to check out.
  • Criminal tools are prohibited from OES activities. These include, but are not limited to, spray paint, bolt cutters, marker pens, crowbars, pick-lock sets, and other such items. If these items are discovered by law enforcement, it suggests to them that the group may have been vandalizing the location or breaking and entering.
  • Anyone who does not follow these rules for encounters with law enforcement officers will no longer be welcome to explore with the OES.
 GROUP SIZE
  • A minimal of three people must be present for all OES explorations. The only exception for this rule is the exploration of cemeteries, parks, or other such locations. This rule was created so that if anyone gets injured, one person may stay with the injured party while the other seeks help.
  • The maximum number of people that may be present for an OES exploration is generally six, but exceptions will be made by the OES Founder depending on the size and type of location being explored. This will help keep the noise and light level to a minimum.
  • During structural exploration, those exploring with the OES must always be paired with at least one "buddy" if they decide to branch off to a different part of the building than the core group. This will help ensure the group's safety.
  • An additional person may be permitted on an exploration if they are stationed away from the group as a point of communication outside the structure.
 MINIMAL DISTURBANCE
  • The OES believes in keeping true to the motto of all urban explorers: "Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints." Basically this means that any trash that is generated during an exploration needs to be properly disposed of when the mission is over and to leave things as they were when the mission began.
  • While on an exploration with the OES, lights must be kept at a minimal level. Nothing will grab the attention of someone more quickly than an abandoned building, cemetery, or drain being lit up like a lighthouse.
  • Only use enough light to see where you are going and perhaps an occasional burst of light across a room to see what is there.
  • Never shine a light towards a window or any other opening to the outside world.
  • Keep noise to a minimal level by not yelling and/or talking loud. Keep a look out for things on the ground or floor that could make noise if stepped on. If someone outside of the place hears noise, they may call law enforcement.