So for those of you that don’t
know what geocaching is, here is the definition from the website http://www.geocaching.com/default.aspx
Geocaching is a real-world,
outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate
to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache
(container) hidden at that location.
My definition is: an outdoor
adventure with the family where you get to get rid of your old happy meal toys
for someone else’s happy meal toys!
Here’s the thing though. You are
outside and you go hiking. You usually
end up somewhere you haven’t been before and the adventure part really is
fun. The geocaches are hidden off the
trails so you end up bushwacking some of the time, sometimes, most of the time! You usually get to see some cool nature stuff
and best of all it is FREE!!! We have
some within walking distance of our house in North Carolina and tons of them nearby. We have geocached in Virginia too. The local parks usually have a good number of
caches available. To add to the fun
there are Geocoins! No, no, you can’t
make money (although our nephew did take a Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card that ended up have
$20 on it!). Geocoins are
trackables. So if you find one you take
it and then you move it to another cache.
You really need to log these coins so their travels can be followed i.e.
tracked. We found one that started in
California. I think the adults may like
this aspect better than the kids as the hubby now searches geocaches
specifically for the ones with coins.
To get started, set up an
account on the website (http://www.geocaching.com/default.aspx) and search for caches near you. You need a smartphone with GPS and an app for
geocaching. (We use c:geo on android)
You can also download the cache for offline use which means that kids, big and
small, with the iPod touch should be able to play as well. Of course you can also use a GPS.
The caches vary in size and when they say micro they are not kidding! If you are taking younger children the micro and small caches don't yield the toy reward. Just a slip of paper to sign and you are done. We prefer to find traditional caches and we usually take exta toys to drop off (read - get out of my house).
Our next foray into geocaching is going to be creating our own cache. For Christmas we received an "official" geocaching box from the in-laws, along with our own trackable geocoins. When the weather gets a little warmer we are going to place our box out there somewhere. I will be sure to post it's location for you guys to find!
The Nitty Gritty - Dress for the weather but also in layers. Wear shoes (and socks, and pants, and shirts...) that you don't care about too much. My older daughter is a dirt magnet and she has managed to step in mud halfway up to her knee, more than once! I am just thankful I haven't had to wade in after her yet! We also like to pack a backpack with the toys to trade out, nature pamphlets for IDing animals (we used them to identify 6 copperheads on one hike but that is a different post) and snacks because my children think there should be food all the time! We also like to take the dog but he can't manage that well anymore, the poor old man gets tired and he is pretty deaf now! If you bring a dog, check the area and the rules about leashes but usually once you get off the trails you can let your dog off leash if they are friendly and will come when you call.
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