What is Geocaching?
|
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called "geocaches" or just simply "caches", and then share your experiences online.
Other geocachers obtain the coordinates and seek out the cache using their handheld GPS devices. The finding geocachers record their find in the logbook and then they also record the find online.
Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. (Which is why EatStayPlay.com got involved!)
You can read about when the EatStayPlay.com team goes geocaching on the FindYourGeocache.com Blog.
|
Geocache Containers
A geocaching container should be water-proof, critter-proof, and well hidden. It can be anything from a micro-cache to a container large enough for "swag". Geocache container sizes range from film canisters often called "microcaches," too small to hold anything more than a tiny paper log, to five-gallon buckets or even larger containers.
Geocache containers are often camouflaged with paint or tape to make them blend in with their surroundings. Imagine finding a film canister, spray-painted green and brown, in a forest! With a GPS to help, that is exactly what geocachers do every day.
|
For the traditional geocache, a geocacher will hide a waterproof container, containing a log book (with pen or pencil) and trinkets or some sort of treasures, then note the cache's coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location, are posted on the Geocaching.com website.
This photo is of a micro cache that EatStayPlay.com team members found. It was part of a multi-leg cache so it had the coordinates to another cache listed inside.
|
|
|
Geocache Prizes or "Swag"
"Swag" are the goodies left inside a geocache. The rule is: take something of equal value to what you are leaving. You don't have to take anything if you're more into the thrill of the find.
Typical cache treasures are not high in monetary value but may hold personal value to the finder. Aside from the logbook, common cache contents are unusual coins or currency, small toys, ornamental buttons, geocoins, or other small items.
Occasionally, higher value items are included in geocaches, normally reserved for the first to find, or "FTF", or in locations which are harder to reach.
Speaking of "FTF", geocachers use a type of "shorthand" to make notes to other geocachers in the logbook. Examples are: TNLN (Took Nothing, Left Nothing); SL (Signed Log); and TFTF (Thanks For The Find.)
|
|
Trackable Items
Attach a Travel Bug tag to an item, create a mission for its travels, and then place the item into a geocache. As your Travel Bug moves from geocache to geocache, picking up stories and photos along the way, you can live vicariously through the bug's adventures!
Cachers who initially place a Travel Bug or Geocoin often assign specific goals for their trackable items. One such goal could be to pass it westward across the continent.
Geocoins work similarly to Travel Bugs in that they are trackable and can travel the world. Some geocoins are often created as signature items by geocachers and can also be used as collectibles. Collectable geocoins are not trackable.
|
|
Geocaching & EatStayPlay.com
Our mission is, and always has been, to help people enjoy the outdoors. We want to help you make memories and we know that geocaching is a great way to do that. EatStayPlay.com has added GPS coordinates to our attractions and have these coordinates link through so you can find geocaches near the campground or lake!
|
|
|
|
