Imagine a family activity that gets everyone outdoors into the fresh air. Where everyone cooperates and works together toward one common goal, that can be done practically anywhere and that even incorporates a tech toy, namely a GPS (Global Positioning System) to find hidden treasure. Yes – hidden treasure!
When our family started geocaching last year, I never thought we’d all latch onto it like we did. It ended up being contagious! With only one GPS, it wasn’t unusual to have the kids vying for who would be the first to find the geocache we were seeking. The reality of geocaching is that the GPS will usually only get you within a certain range of the hidden treasure, the rest is up to the seeker. Getting down on your hands and knees and scrambling behind bushes or reaching under structures is how a person usually ends up finding the geocache. The kids are hands on and completely engaging in trying to find the geocache when they know that it’s nearby.
Geocaching, otherwise known as modern day treasure seeking, has been growing in popularity over the last few years. Using a GPS, seekers select an area, such as a specific city or area and download coordinates from the computer. By following the coordinates and often supplied clues, seekers see if they can locate a hidden geocache.
Geocaches are typically waterproof containers that can vary in size from keychain to toolbox size. Inside the geocache, there is a log book to sign and treasures. The treasures are small items like stickers, toys or souvenir type items. The rule is, if you take an item you need to leave an item.
Once a geocache is found, you can log back on to the master website and keep track of all the geocaches that you find. The best part is that you can geocache all over Alberta and Canada, and all over the world. When we traveled as a family to the west coast, we found geocaches that were hidden all along the ocean, in Victoria, at Rathtrevor Beach and every place in between. On a recent trip to Crowsnest Pass, we found a few geocaches in Blairmore, at Allison Lake and near the local bakery where we stopped to eat.
Don’t forget to take:
• GPS (with target geocache locations downloaded)
• Extra batteries
• Trade items: something to leave behind
• Pencil
• Good shoes, proper clothing, gloves
• Camera
• Snacks
• Water
Good websites to get you started: www.geocaching.com, www.calgarycachers.ca
The potential to geocache is everywhere, and with kids so easily excited by the combination of using a tech toy and seeking treasure, it’s a family sport worth looking into!
Lesli lives, writes and drinks espresso in Calgary. Her family is looking forward to geocaching this summer on the east coast. She is a CCM contributor.
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