As a child, did you ever want to be an explorer? Did going on adventures and finding hidden treasure excite you? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then geocaching is the hobby for you. Geocaching is a term that many people have heard spoken in casual conversation, but they may not fully understand what it is. Geocaching is a treasure hunt.
To begin geocaching, all you need is a hand-held GPS (any smart phone will work) and a set of coordinates. There is an official Geocaching website and smart phone app that can provide you with all of the information you need to get started. By creating a free basic membership, you can track your finds and locate new ones. When you find a geocache, a smiley face appears on your map to mark your success.
Typically, with each geocache, there is a log to sign. Some even contain items that you can take to remember your experience. If you take something though, you have to replace it with something different. It is a constant rotation of cool trinkets and memorabilia.
Danielle Wooster, resident of Lewiston, Maine, has logged over 100 geocaches. She has crossed through several states in the pursuit of different caches. “I like Geocaching because it takes me to places in and around my community that I didn’t know were there. Places that I may have driven by hundreds of times and just missed,” Wooster said. “It also brings my family together and allows us to do something fun and be silly together. And, it’s the thrill of finding the cache and not knowing what’s inside of it!”
Geocaches can come in different shapes and sizes. They range from military ammo cases to bullet-sized magnets. They could be hidden in guardrails along the road, in trees, or sometimes even right in plain sight.
Allison Moore, a Husson University student, enjoys finding these different treasures. “I love scavenger hunts and geocaching is a fun way to incorporate real life scavenger hunts. It’s also a great way to get outside and explore places you’d never go before, and it gives you something to do wherever you go. That’s why I enjoy it!” Moore commented.
While out searching for caches, it is important to watch out for “muggles.” A muggle is someone who is unaware of the world of geocaching. Each cache is hidden so that only those who know where to look can find them. Sometimes, if a geocacher is caught in the act, the game piece can be stolen or ruined.
With great fun comes great responsibility. In order to keep the world of geocaching afloat, you must use stealth to grab the cache without being seen while still having fun. If you are looking for a new passion, go out and get geocaching! You never know what you will find.
