What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt activity done with the assistance of a GPS device. Players across the world hide “caches” such as small containers, toys, or puzzles at specific coordinates, which are then posted to the internet for other players to find. Geocaching is an activity for people of all ages and interests and can be done in any location around the world.

The Origins of Geocaching

Geocaching has its roots in a government initiative to improve the accuracy of GPS systems during the Clinton administration. The technology was made accessible to the public in 2000, allowing everyday people to take advantage of the precise location data GPS provided. Around the same time, a computer programmer named Dave Ulmer created the first geocache, hiding a container near his home in Oregon, and challenging others to use their GPS units to find it. Ulmer posted his coordinates to an online GPS user’s discussion group and the first geocache was born.

The Fun of Geocaching

Players of geocaching, aptly known as “geocachers”, are typically given the longitude and latitude coordinates of a hidden cache, and they then use a GPS device to navigate them to the cache’s location. When they get there they can then sign the logbook (or logsheet) in the cache, take a prize (or “swag”) and leave a prize of their own. Geocachers leave short notes in the logbook to indicate who has found the cache and the date that they found it. The geocache owner will then have to find the cache and check back in with the logbook to see who has found it.

For some geocachers, hunting for and finding hidden caches is like a treasure hunt in which they can explore the world around them. It’s a fun way to move beyond the regular walking or biking path and explore our world in a new way. Whether it’s a few caches in the local park or a full day’s adventure around a city or town, the activity can provide an exciting and rewarding experience. It is also a great way to get to know a new area, as you are likely to find interesting points of interest and history along the way.

In summary, geocaching is a fun outdoor activity that encourages exploration, adventure and discovering new things. Using GPS or your smartphone and the coordinates of a hidden cache, you will explore new places, meet geocachers in the community and experience the thrill of the hunt. With caches located all over the world, there is sure to be an adventure awaiting you!