Let's Go Geocaching

What Is Geocaching?

Geocahching is many things, but the closest recognizable description might be "Treasure Hunting." Now, before you fill your head with visions of buried chests filled with gold coins and jewels, let's bring a better definition of Geocaching into focus. Geocaching is a lot like a high-tech game of Hide N Seek, except the subject of the hunt is not people. Instead, people use a commercially available Global Positioning System or "GPS" to track down and locate containers of various sizes. The containers range from very small pill box or film container sizes, up to metal ammunition boxes and bigger.

What's In The Caches?

The only item that is required to be in the container is a log that can be signed by the finders, as proof of having located the cache. If the container is not waterproof, the log will be inside of a plastic bag or be protected from the elements in a similar fashion. As for the larger containers? The items inside of them range from very small and not so valuable "trinkets" such as marbles, key chains, plastic rings and such, to more valuable items like coins, collectable pins and such. The rule regarding the taking of items from a cache, is that one is to leave something of equal or greater value than what one takes. One of the more interesting finds in a cache is a "Travel Bug." A Travel Bug is an item that is marked with a unique tracking number which is connected to a specific website. The finder needs to enter the number into the website, in order to obtain the specific "mission" of the found item. It may be a small stuffed animal whose owner is sending it across the country and back. Perhaps it's goal is to be photographed in front of the Eiffel Tower. In any case, the finder will move it along in the right direction, by leaving it in another found cache that corresponds to its ultimate goal.

Who Participates and Where?

With very few exceptions, Geocaching is an international hobby and enjoyed wherever you find people. Many would be surprised to discover that a zip code check of their area on the international Geocaching webpage, in most cases would reveal a number of hidden caches close to home. Geocaching is enjoyed in very rural areas, deep in the wilderness as well as right in the heart of most metropolitan centers and large cities.

Why Geocache?
Geocaching is a relatively inexpensive way for a person or an entire family to get outside and do something both challenging and fun. The most expensive part of the hobby is the GPS, and since prices have dropped substantially in the past few years, you can purchase a nice GPS for not much more than one hundred dollars. A few other reasons to consider Geocahing are:

• It's a great way to keep fit.
• You can see interesting areas near your home that you might otherwise not have seen.
• It's a fun and interesting modification to your regular dog-walking experiences. Fluffy will thank you!
• It's a chance to be involved in an international "Game" that is enjoyed by people of all shapes, sizes and personality types.

Are There Any Rules Involved?

The official Geocaching website outlines the rules and regulations of the hobby. It is also the site that you will need to go to in order to do a search and locate the coordinates of caches that are hidden near you. The rules outline the distances between caches that must be maintained, the wording that is required on the exterior of containers, should you decide to place a cache of your own, and etiquette that is to be followed by anyone participating in Geocaching.

So, why not give Geocaching a try and see if it's for you? Happy Hunting!