Programs & Events » Virtual Recreation Center » The Great Outdoors

Geocaching

Font Size: + -
Print

geocaching

What is Geocaching:

  • Geocaching is a high-tech scavenger hunt game people play using a GPS unit or smartphone.
  • Combination of outdoor recreation and location-based technology.
  • Geocaching is a great way to go on an adventure, discover and explore the world around us.
  • The first geocache was hidden near Beavercreek, OR on May 3, 2000
  • Today there are more than 3 million active geocaches worldwide.
  • Geocaches are hidden in 191 different countries on all seven continents.
  • More than 642 million “Found It” and “Event Attended” logs have been recorded since the game started in 2000.

 Geocaching Basics:

  • A geocacher hides a geocache and lists the coordinates on Geocaching.com for others to find.
  • Players navigate to a geocache using the geocaching app or a GPS-enabled device.
  • At a minimum, geocaches contain a logbook for players to sign. After signing, they’ll log their experience on the Geocaching app or on geocaching.com to earn a reward in the form of a point and digital smiley.
  • Some geocaches contain small trinkets for trade. If a geocacher takes something from the geocache, they replace it with something of equal or greater value.
  • Traveling game pieces called trackables may also be found in geocaches. Trackables have a unique tracking number engraved on them. If a trackable is found, log that it was found on the app or website and then drop it off at another geocache location and log that you dropped it off there. Trackables are meant to move from geocache to geocache towards a goal.
  • Geocaches are always put back at the location where they were found for the next geocacher to discover.

 8 Steps to Geocaching:

  • Register for a free Geocache Basic Membership.
  • Search for a geocache near you
  • Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name. The best kind of geocache to find on your first adventure:
    • Cache Type: Traditional
    • Difficulty Rate: 1
    • Cache Size: Regular or Large
  • Use the Geocache app or enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
  • Use your phone or GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
  • Sign the logbook, trade swag (equal or greater value) and return the geocache to its original location.
  • Log that you found the geocache on the geocache app or at geocaching.com. You can also share your geocache adventure and post photos online.

What is Geocaching: https://youtu.be/vuFiLhhCNww

Geocache 101 Guide: https://www.geocaching.com/guide/

Geocaching Etiquette: https://youtu.be/GXzIu7p82jg

Introduction to Geocaching: https://newsroom.geocaching.com/s/Introduction-to-Geocaching.pdf

 

The Adventure Lab logo is copyright Groundspeak, Inc. DBA Geocaching. Used with permission.