Geocaching is NOT dead, not by a longshot. And if you enjoy spending time outdoors, this may be the perfect activity for you. If you’re new to the concept, let’s go over what it is and why it’s so much fun.
First, geocaching is a fun, real-world treasure hunting activity that people of all ages from all over the country can enjoy. There are geocaching sites all over the United States, and part of the fun is finding them.
In this game played outdoors, players will try to locate the hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices like their cellphone. And then, they are also encouraged to share their experiences online.
The geocaching app will give hints to guide you toward the next treasure or “geocache,” and there are many benefits.
Let’s take a look at Geocaching
It gets you outdoors
This is an excellent reason for children and adults alike to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. It combines modern technology with nature and outdoor adventure in a way that everyone can enjoy. You can use it to explore many locations nearby you, or you can add it to another activity like camping or hiking. Some people get so into geocaching that they travel far away from home to find new geocaching sites.
You find the treasure
Again, there is a hidden treasure and what this is, is a logbook or log sheet for you to sign to say that you were there. Some caches also have small items or trinkets for you to leave or trade with others, but the journey itself is the real reward. People will typically take a photo after signing their name to the book, marking the occasion, and sharing their experience online.
The locations
As we said, there are geocache locations all over the country and even in other countries. This means there are so many great locations for you to explore and things to see along the way. For many, geocaching is a great way to see the world and check off your bucket list.
The Community
Finally, the community is also a strong, friendly one built around the idea of geocaching. From those who are brand new to the seasoned vets, you’ll find a warm, family-like environment of people ready to cheer you on and share their own experiences with you. Geocaching is also a great way to build your sense of community. You can bring friends or family along, get to know people from your hometown by doing it together, or share experiences.
The Rules of Geocaching
So, that sounds fun? But now you’re wondering, what are the rules? There are not many rules to geocaching, but for it to be fun and fair to everyone, there are a few you should follow.
- Take something, leave something – If you take something from the cache when you find it, you are expected to leave something in return, like a trade. Usually, these are small items like coins, trinkets, figurines, etc. You should always leave something of equal or greater value.
- Sign the logbook – Always sign your name and write about your experience in the journal found at the cache. Some people find it a lot of fun to look through the other entries once they arrive.
- Log your experience online – You can also visit geocaching.com to log your experience and share more details.
Some additional guidelines to keep it fun and safe for everyone involved:
- Don’t place items like food, drinks, alcohol, explosives, knives, or anything dangerous or illegal in the geocache.
- Never bury the cache or place it in a location that would be unsafe to get to, such as at the top of a very tall tree.
- Always keep the contents family-friendly.
- Respect the local laws and laws of the property and respect the land that you are on.
- Practice Leave No Trace. This goes along with #4, but you should never through your trash down or trample over plant life, etc.
There are different types of geocaching and even geocache events and tournaments, so if you try it out and see that you enjoy it, there is much more you can immerse yourself in with this community. But the most significant rule of all to remember is: have fun!
