Geocaching

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For the past year, thanks to a dear friend who just happens to be a rabid fan herself, I have been engaging in a relatively new adventure game called geocaching. Geocaching is basically a high-tech treasure hunt.

When the U.S. Government released Global Positioning System technology to the public in May 2000, geocaching was born soon afterward. The geocacher goes to the international website www.geocaching.com, and types in the zip code of the area where he wants to search. He will then see a list of all the hidden caches in that area. Upon selecting a particular cache, he will receive the GPS coordinates where it is located.

Equipped with a small, handheld GPS device (or PDA with GPS program installed), the geocacher programs in the coordinates and then goes in search of a hidden ammo can, Tupperware container, or similar tightly-sealable container filled with inexpensive trinkets or "treasures." These may include such things as carabiners, bungie cords, Hotwheels, CD's, decks of cards, coins (both foreign and domestic), small games, etc. When the geocacher locates the cache, he should take an item but leave another in exchange. He should sign the logbook located inside the cache, and then he should return home and go online to the geocaching.com website to log his find there as well.

The geocacher must always be on the lookout for "muggles," non-geocachers who, not understanding the hobby, might become alarmed if they should stumble onto a cache and think "9-11." Muggles are also known to plunder a cache, stealing or vandalizing it on occasion. You must be "discreet" (a.k.a. sneaky) to be a geocacher so that you don't attract muggles.

Geocaching.com controls the release of all new caches, and there are specific rules for those wishing to "plant" one. It may not be inside a national park (although a national forest is okay) or near a railroad track or dam, for example. If placed on private property, permission must be obtained from the owner before the cache can be placed. Once a cache is submitted for approval, geocaching.com folks evaluate it; and if it meets their approval, they add the cache to the list of others in its area.

Geocaching is very educational and great exercise. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has gone on record as endorsing it, and they even offer mini-workshops for teachers, after which a teacher may check out a bundle of 20 PDAs to use with his/her students.

As we enter 2007, there are approximately 350,000 caches in 215 countries throughout the world. There are over 4800 within 100 miles of my house and over 1180 within 50 miles!! Geocaching is a really big deal, and it's easy and inexpensive. A small GPS unit sells for around $90, although you can buy a much more expensive model if you want.

It's a hobby for families, for children and adults, young and old, and it is one heck of a lot of fun. Youth groups think it's awesome, and retired folks say it makes them feel young again.

The Emmy Award-winning TV show, The Amazing Race, is a take-off on multi-caching, though without coordinates. My husband and I love the TV show, but we love the actual hobby of geocaching even more!! I can't describe the rush you get when you find a cache!

BTW, my geocaching name is "julyfly."