"Geocaching" A Fun FREE Activity For You And Your Friends!
Geocaching was something I was not aware of until I attended the 21st Century Book Marketing Event in San Diego, California this past month.
The definition from the Geocaching website explains the concept:
"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, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment."
I met an enthusiastic young writer, Sherri Carter, author of Beyond Attraction into Action, at the event. She was outside the hotel looking for a cache and told me all about it. Apparently it is a wildly popular world wide phenomenon that's FREE and fun for everyone. The game utilizes GPS satellites to track hidden Caches anywhere in the world.
I was SHOCKED when Sherri told me there are more than 900,000 Caches world wide. You can go to the website to locate Caches all over the world and then go on a treasure hunt to find them. You do however, have to have one piece of special equipment: A GPS device. People can purchase either a hand held GPS device or download the Geocaching app on the iPhone 3G or 3GS for $9.99 to hunt for the Caches Sherri allowed me to video the adventure and I know you will enjoy seeing how easy it is to go treasure hunting no matter where you are in the world.
The game started in 2000 and you can review some Geocaching history on the website. Geocaching was used in advertising the 2001 Planet Of The Apes movie release. A marketing firm hid memorabilia from the original movie around the world and game players set out to find the hidden Planet Of The Apes caches. Jeep also used the game for a promotion and gave aways some cars... now the game entertains people all over the world with small hidden treasures that anyone can hide and register on the website. Hmmm what do you think about looking for Cosmic Cow Pie caches????
The basic steps to get involved in "Geocaching" are simple:
- Register at Geocaching.com for a free membership.
- Click "Hide & Seek a Cache."
- Enter your postal code and click "search."
- Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
- Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
- Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
- Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
- Share your geocaching stories and photos online.
I am geocaching this weekend with my next door neighbor's grand kids! I will let you know what we find in Williams, Arizona.
Think about the fun for friends and family just getting together to do something different!
For those that need a little more help, the editors and staff at Geocaching.com have written a book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching.
The website shows all the planned events and a big rally is coming up in Italy!
I will be anxious to hear stories about International adventures in Geocaching!
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