Geocaching - What is Geocaching and How Do I Play?
Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
by Lorrie Davids
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a high tech treasure hunting sport using your GPS unit. The point of the game is to locate containers called a cache and document your find. Originally called gpsstashing, the first recorded geocaching event was May 3, 2000 in Oregon. The container hid software, videos, books, food, money and a slingshot. The popularity of the game is increasing; now a world-wide sport played in over 100 countries, on seven continents.
To play, log on to a Geocache Website (the most popular being Geocache.com) and search for caches in your area. Once you locate one, enter the coordinates into your GPS device and you are ready to play. Have a pen or pencil with you to document your presence in the log and maybe a trinket to leave behind.
A cache will usually be a waterproof container. Most often used are plastic (think tupperware) containers or ammo boxes. Inside a cache you will find a logbook to enter the date you found it. Caches range in size, some small, holding only the log to larger containers to hold trading or scavenger items, thus treasure. If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal value for the next treasure hunter. You might find the container in a tree, buried or possibly underwater.
There are variations of the game and geocache enthusiasts schedule and attend events to promote their sport.
The only rules are common courtesy: don't endanger anyone, be aware and careful of your impact on nature, respect private property and avoid public alarm.
A cache will usually be a waterproof container. Most often used are plastic (think tupperware) containers or ammo boxes. Inside a cache you will find a logbook to enter the date you found it. Caches range in size, some small, holding only the log to larger containers to hold trading or scavenger items, thus treasure. If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal value for the next treasure hunter. You might find the container in a tree, buried or possibly underwater.
There are variations of the game and geocache enthusiasts schedule and attend events to promote their sport.
The only rules are common courtesy: don't endanger anyone, be aware and careful of your impact on nature, respect private property and avoid public alarm.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Sounds like an interesting game LorrieI think so too, David. I want to try it - as soon as I get a GPS! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Sounds fun Lorrie. I hadn't heard of this. It reminds me of the Amazing race we used to do with the youth group in Oregon. We would send them all over Eugene. Thanks for sharing this. I bet it could become an interesting TV show if it gets really popular. Will I see you and Danny as one of the teams?Ha, T - you always make me smile! I wouldn't be surprised to see this as a TV show, but nope, I don't think they'd have me on it. You gave those kids in your youth group a cool memory. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hi Lorrie. This one is new to me. I've heard of a version of this game called "storybooking" which takes place on hikes in state parks. I'm not entirely sure how it's played but it goes mostly like the gps game. I'll have to check it out. Sounds like fun. Still, no time to even try I think.Heidi - I've not heard of Storybooking - but why not? I have yet to go Geocaching, but would like to do it sometime. I will let you know if I ever follow through. Thanks for reading and commenting! It is always good to hear from you.
Sounds like fun. I had heard of Geocatching, but didn't know what it was. Thanks for sharing.
I have yet to go, Krista. Some day. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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