Geo-caching

I've spent a good bit of time the last couple of days geo-caching, and several of my loyal readers have asked about what it is, how it works, etc. So here goes:

Geo-caching is an online / live action scavenger hunt using a handheld GPS unit. Anyone can do it, and it can be very easy or very challenging, based on the participants. It gets us outdoors, it something we can do as a family, and uses a fun piece of technology - something for everyone.

Users can log on to the official website (http://www.geocaching.com/) and search for caches by address, zipcode, or latitude / longitude coordinates. For instance, when we arrived at Grandma Mary's on Monday, I typed in her zip code and looked up all the caches within 10 miles (37 in all).

Once you have a list of the caches near you, you can use the software that comes with your GPS unit to download the waypoints to your handset. Once there, you just choose the cache you want to hunt and tell your GPS to lead the way there! A typical GPS unit will get you within a 10 foot radius of where the cache is.

Caches range in size from very small (micro) to very large. The smallest caches are generally 35mm film canisters or waterproof match cans - these usually contain only a log book (and sometimes a small pencil). Larger caches also have a log book, but also may have items that can be traded (also referred to as "swag"). Once you find the cache, you sign the log book, trade any swag items that you'd like to, and then re-hide the cache as you found it for the next hunter to find.

Some caches have special swag items that are trackable. Geo-coins or Travel Bugs are items that hide in caches and can then be tracked by a unique identification number. Geo-cachers who put these items into action can watch them travel from cache to cache and state to state because when they are retrieved from a cache, users can log the fact that they were found and then record the next cache that they were put into.

We have so much fun with this! As I may have mentioned in previous posts, I was introduced to geo-caching last summer on our youth mission trip to Oklahoma. One of the adult leaders from another group had his GPS and was an avid geo-cacher. One afternoon when we had an hour or two to spare, he led our group on a couple hunts, and it was a great time! Our teens loved it - the kids who loved the outdoors thought it was a blast, the kids who enjoyed doing puzzles enjoyed it, and the kids who were addicted to technology liked the thought that they were being led by satellites. It had something for everyone!

Since then, I've purchased my own GPS and as of today have logged 41 finds (in Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan). I haven't placed any caches yet, but I plan to once I reach 50. There's no guideline to follow about this, but I wanted to experience a lot of different ways to hide a cache before I placed one of my own.

I think that all makes sense, but then again, I know what I'm talking about. So...that's a primer on the topic - if you have any more questions, leave a comment, and I'll answer if I can!

Until next time - RevPhil