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So what is Geocaching?

The love of my life is a nerd and its been rubbing off on me. But who am I kidding, nerdy things are actually pretty interesting! Chris introduced me to this really really awesome thing called Geocaching and I am hooked! Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “Woman get to the point. What is Geocaching, huh?!”

Allow me to explain…

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. CACHE is just a nerdy word for “treasure box.”

Caches are all hidden by other geocachers such as yourself with the the intention of making your hiding place as inconspicuous as possible with one rule – the treasure cannot be buried.

When cache “hunting, you simply go onto the website and allow your device location to pull up a map of your area. You’ll be able to see a list of caches in your area, along with clues and little hints, to help make your treasure hunting easier.

Once you’re at the location, you start looking for the cache. The cache can be anything really. We’ve found cache’s made out of plumbing, fake rocks and even wood!

hold regular family meetingsIn a cache, you will find: 

1. A note basically saying you have just found a geocache (just in case any “muggles” i.e. non geocachers, stumble upon the cache)
2. A log book and pen so that you/your team can log that you guys found the cache.
3. Sometimes a geocoin (which is a trackable device)
4. Whatever else the “hider” put in there. Normally small trickets/items. But the rule is: you have to replace the item with something of the same value. So if I find a marble in the cache, I need to replace it with something that is of equal value. You don’t HAVE to remove the item from the box. We normally leave a guitar plectrum in each cache we find, just to say “hey, we were here!”

The cache should then be rehidden on the same spot for the next geocacher to find. You would then log your find on the website.

There is a whole community of geocaches out there! And you’re probably thinking, no ways, there are NO geocaches where I live, coz we are like, SO off the map… well that’s what I thought! Caches are hidden in parks, or areas that are really fun to explore. So it’s a cool way to spend time with the fam.

So what do you think? Are you convinced? Drop me a comment to let me know if you’re going to give Geocaching a go!

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