Calling all Treasure Hunters, Nature Enthusiasts, and Code Breakers! Whether you’re in a Canadian provincial park, near a sunny Californian beach, strolling the fragrant streets of Vietnam, or braving the freezing Antarctic tundra, you can participate in an epic worldwide game with Geocaching. So, exactly what is Geocaching? French speakers will recognize the word “cache”, meaning “to hide”. Geo, of course, refers to geography and the earth.
Successful participants require three main qualities to partake in this international game: a willingness to have fun, a healthy competitive spirit, and an insatiable curiosity. Geocaching is enjoyable to play on your own, with friends or a partner, or with family members of any age. It’s also free, accessible year-round, and regardless of covid restrictions since it’s an outdoor activity!
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is the ultimate game for those young at heart and adventurous in spirit. As a geocacher, it is your mission to find hidden geocaches (the objects you’re seeking) around the world using clues provided to you by other participants. Once you begin the game, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever utter the words “I’m bored” again – there are nearly 3 million surprise treasures to uncover!
Each geocache is unique. They range in shape, size, and complexity. You may find protected geocaches stored away in containers such as small Altoids tins, plastic Tupperware, bricks, tiny film canisters, or any other household object. Every geocache will include a logbook and often will have a second object, such as coins, keychains, toys, or trackables. Once a geocache is found, players record their discovery in the logbook with their initials and date and time they found the item, or fun facts about the area, coordinates to another geocache, jokes, or a stamp with their own unique geocaching design. Get creative and have fun with your message!
How to Play
There are 3 rules to participating in geocaching:
- Find the geocache
- Write in the logbook
- Return the geocache to its location and leave it for the next players to find. If you take a trinket from the geocache, make sure to leave something of equal or greater value for the next person.
5 Tips to Get You Started
The first tip is that your spidey senses are going to come in handy. The coordinates on your GPS or phone will only bring you within 30 feet of the geocache, so don’t be afraid to use your hands to search around. Second, this is the real-life edition of Where’s Waldo or those giant I Spy books. Some of the objects and their containers are cleverly disguised. Use a discerning eye when scanning the nearby environment and check for subtle oddities or things out of place. Third, a geocache will never be buried, so leave the shovel at home. Fourth, use the hints left on the website and app by fellow geocachers to help point the way. Check the most recent activity to learn of any new suggestions. And fifth, bring a pen, pencil, or personalized stamp with you so you can add your details to the logbook.
Origins of Geocaching
Geocaching, originally known as GPS Stash, has only been around since 2000, but its international popularity quickly spread. To get your start in the game and for more information on Geocaching, visit www.geocaching.com or download the app. Happy travels, fellow adventurers!
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