For families seeking healthy outdoor fun, geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing), may be the perfect sport. This worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure has a high tech slant as it requires the use of a GPS (Global Positioning Device). By downloading coordinates to a GPS, seekers look for hidden treasures in small containers.
What is Geocaching?
The term "geo" stands for geography and "caching" means to hide something in a container. The history of geocaching goes back to the year 2000 when GPS signals, then only used for military use, were unscrambled and available to everyone. Dave Ulmer is credited with hiding the first geocache and entering the GPS coordinates online. Ulmer invited people to try to find his hidden cache. He suggested others hide their own caches, and the game has been growing ever since.
Today, there are over one million active geocache sites around the world. By hiking and treasure-hunting at the same time, individuals and families continue to grow this high tech hide and seek game.
How to Scavenger Hunt With a GPS
Check out a geocaching website, such as Geocaching.com, to find hidden caches near your home or location. By entering a zip code or address within a certain radius, searchers will get a list of hidden caches by GPS coordinate. The caches are rated on a scale of 1-5 for degree of difficulty to find and difficulty of terrain. The lower the number, the easier the find. For example, a rating of 1/1.5 means the cache is relatively easy to find in a fairly easy terrain. This system allows individuals and families to match their abilities to a difficult hike or an easy find.
After getting a list of coordinates of caches, the next step before going on a geocaching adventure is to assemble the necessary gear. New geocachers should have:
- GPS with extra batteries
- pen or pencil to sign the logbook often left with hidden caches
- water to drink
- sunscreen
- bug repellent.
Experienced geocachers often add a walking stick, work gloves, a digital camera to record the adventure and even a pair of wading boots, if the search leads to muddy or swampy terrain.
Before setting out on the hike, the coordinates listed on the website should be downloaded, or manually entered, into the GPS. Drive to the proper coordinates and look for the hidden cache. Look for anything with a lid- container, bucket, barrel, etc. in the rough vicinity of the GPS coordinates.
When the cache is found, open it to find the hidden treasure. Sometimes the treasure is intended to be taken and replaced. The proper etiquette is to replace it with something that is at least as valuable as what was in the cache. often, the treasure is simply to see and tuck back into the container. Seekers may also add their own treasures. If there is a logbook, sign it for future seekers to read. Many geocaching websites also have opportunities for searchers to record their experiences for others.
Geocaching is for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Many of the hikes rated "one" are also handicapped accessible. The coordinates are not exact, so persistence and a love of puzzles is helpful for those seeking hidden treasure.
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