The Adventure of Geocaching
/What is geocaching? Geocaching, in a nutshell, is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices, such as your phone. People of all ages from all around the world have taken part in the activity.
Using an app called “Geocaching”:
Click “Find Nearby Geocaches” and a long list of locations will pop up.
Each has a unique title and description and some have hints and photos to help you find it.
Once you decide which one to look for, click “Navigate to Geocache." This is where the adventure begins!
Choose to follow a map or use a compass and GPS coordinates.
The app will tell you whether the terrain is easy or difficult and whether it is easy or hard to find. This will help you decide on which ones to look for.
Each “cache” will be in the form of a waterproof container. It can be something from your home or you can purchase a container online. Some can resemble a log, a rock or a number of things that can make it challenging to find. Or make it simple and use a metal container or tube. When you find the treasure inside, leave the “cache” exactly where you found it, so others can find the other treasures inside it.
What’s inside the container can vary. But if you take something out, you should put something back in to replace it. Most of them however usually have some type of logbook and pen so you can write your name and date. The cache may have little trinkets or toys, money, coins, tickets, a gift card or a tracker. A tracker moves from place to place, picking up stories along the way. If you take a tracker, you log your story and location on the geocaching.com website (or app) then place the tracker in a different cache. At any time, you can login and see where that tracker is and read what others have written about it. Trying to get it out of the state or even the country can make it even more exciting.
Once you have found a cache, you use the app to say you “Found it”. Then you can post a picture and say a little something about your adventure. Others who are interested in finding it, can see your notes and pictures.
There are almost 3 million geocaches around the world to be found! It doesn’t matter if you’re on vacation, out for a hike, headed to your office, or just killing time, there’s usually one close by. One of the best things about it is it’s a way a family can spend time together and work as a team. You can make a cache yourself and hide it for others to find. There are certain rules to follow (listed on geocaching.com) such as making sure it’s reasonably close to you so you can maintain it over time.
Now, get your friends or family together and get ready for an exciting adventure!
Content written by Rana Kory, Worley Erhart-Graves Financial Advisors
