Geocaching Treasure Hunt ~ Great Family Fun

 

What is geocaching?  It is a great outdoor treasure-hunting game that began around twelve years ago.    Geocaches are currently placed in over 200 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica, and the International Space Station. (source: Wikipedia)

GPS Device

 

The game is played with GPS devices.  They are used to find hidden containers known as Geocaches.  These contain prizes for those who are able to locate them.  This is a great family game that can be enjoyed inexpensively.  It is a great way to explore new areas in your city or state.

 

What does geocaching entail?  Geocachers hide caches at locations that are familiar to them or to their particular area of expertise.  For example, a cache may be placed on a rocky cliff, which can only be accessed using climbing equipment.  A cache may be placed underwater, so that only a scuba diver can access it.  Caches could even be placed in other countries.

Cache

 

For the traditional geocache, a geocacher will place a waterproof container containing a log book (with pen or pencil) and trade items then record the cache's coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location, are posted on a listing site. Other geocachers obtain the coordinates from that listing site and seek out the cache using their GPS handheld receivers. The finding geocachers record their exploits in the logbook and online. Geocachers are free to take objects (except the logbook, pencil, or stamp) from the cache in exchange for leaving something of similar or higher value. (source: Wikipedia)

 

Treasures

 

In fact, there are individuals who travel all over the world looking for geocaches.  They are literally making a sport out of this.  Think of caching as your own version of “The Amazing Race.”  The only difference is that the geocachers are artists, musicians, astronomers, and scientists, and other types of experts.

Children Geocaching 

Geocaching is a good way to teach children how to use GPS devices. This, as it turns out,  is a good thing because their generation will probably rely heavily on GPS systems when they grow up or as they grow up. 

You can take part in a half-day of geocaching by enjoying a family picnic, and then getting back at it for the rest of the day.  You will have the time of your life playing this game.

Family Geocaching

 If you think you’d like to participate in a geocaching treasure hunt, you can check your local community to find individuals who run these events, or you can check many of the websites to enroll in a geocaching event.  It’s bound to be an adventure for the entire family!

Get out and explore!

Pat