By Chad Hays
What is it? Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.
How does it work? You can find the location coordinates of geocaches at the official website, www.geocaching.com. Once you decide on a geocache location, plug the coordinates into your GPS device and head outdoors to begin your adventure!
Where can I find a geocache? They are everywhere! We probably walk by geocaches every day and don’t even know it. They are in local parks, on hiking trails, in parking lots and just about anywhere else you can imagine. In fact, there are almost 20,000 geocaches in Arizona and over one million worldwide.
Once you’ve reached your geocache coordinates, you may have to do a little searching, as they are sometimes cleverly hidden. They may be hidden in a tree or under a bush, or sometimes they are in plain sight. But don’t worry – according to the rules, they’re never buried underground or completely out of sight. The geocache will most likely be a small tube, sometimes called bison tubes, or a small box.
And who said geocaches were only on Earth? There is reported to be one on the International Space Station orbiting our planet!
What do I do once I’ve found a geocache? Congratulations on your successful treasure hunt! Geocaches should contain a logbook inside. Make sure to sign your name and check out the other adventurers who have found the same treasure. Additionally, some geocaches may also contain items you can keep. Just be sure to replace it with another item of similar value. The items aren’t meant to be expensive, but they tend to be fun and personalized.
Who can become a geocacher? Anyone can do it! You just need to register for a free basic membership at geocaching.com to get cache location coordinates and the ability to share your experiences online.
Be sure to check out all of the rules, tips and guidelines at the website before you start your geocaching adventure.
And remember… the journey to find a geocache can be the greatest reward.
