Treasure / Scavenger Hunting – The High-Tech Way

Geocaching. Think treasure maps, adventure, and satellite technology rolled into one. This involves a great deal of excitement and loads of fun. Even better, anyone in the world can play, which makes it a wonderful scavenger hunt idea for you, your friends, and family. To join the more than 5 million geocachers around the world, here are all the basics you need to know.

Millions of Hunters

The fundamental concept of this globally played hunt is to use GPS coordinates (X mark on a treasure map) to find a cache (treasure chest) containing trinkets, baubles, and all sorts of bits and pieces. There will also be a logbook that you can sign for bragging rights.

Maybe now you’re asking – where’s the fun in that when you know the exact location? Well, not quite. The challenge lies in the fact that the given coordinates only point to the general location of caches. Actual treasure containers are actually cleverly hidden (maybe up in a tree or beneath a stump of wood) and still require effort and ingenuity on your part to find and open them. Plus, in the process, you get to discover all kinds of interesting places that will surely give you memorable experiences.

Where can you find a list of geocaching coordinates? There are plenty of sites that provide them and membership to these sites is usually free. Sweet! But if you are really looking for a central location that list hundreds of cache locations to hunt down, then visit Geocaching.com – considered the mecca of geocachers.

What You Need

To begin seeking and discovering, here are the things you need to gather right away:

• A sense of adventure (naturally!)
• An item that may not have a high monetary value but something that is unique, quirky, or in some way valuable to you (more on the use of this later)
• GPS enabled phone and a geocaching mobile app

There are a few iOS apps for iPhone but the best one Geocaching from Groundspeak – the company behind Geocaching.

Geocaching Etiquette

If you find something you like inside a cache, you may take it but you must replace it with something of equal or greater value (this is where that unique item of yours comes in).  After perusing the cache contents and signing the log book return the cache to its original hiding place. This is to ensure that the container doesn’t get “muggled” or “plundered” by passing strangers who are uninitiated in the ways of geocaching.  Share all the thrill and fun you had on the listing site where you got the coordinates.

Ideas to spice up your geocaching experience:

• Bring your friends or your family, especially the kids. They are sure to have a blast.
• Use geocaching as a unique, highly-memorable, and truly romantic way to propose.
• Share photos or videos about the activity. Write a blog post, tweet. Spread the word.
• Hide a cache of your own and share the coordinates; promote more adventure.

Happy Hunting!