What is Wacky Wednesday? Last year we created WACKY WEDNESDAY to help us get over hump day and try to remember to do something fun and unusual on Wednesdays. Not every Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday, but we try to do something a little crazy or nature-oriented.
Have you even went on a geocache adventure?
This week we are talking about our new “hobby” geocaching. We first learned about geocaching a number of years ago but without a GPS knew we just wouldn’t be able to enjoy this sport. I have been wanting something that will get the kids outside and be more than a nature hike. (I love the hikes, but they do not always until we are at the end. Once they have discovered something new or exciting then they are usually thankful.)
We also want to learn more map and directional skills and thought geocaching would be just the thing to help us do that. A fun and exciting thing to boot!
WHAT IS GEOCACHING- Wikipedia gives a really good overview of what geocaching is all about:
“Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device[2] and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called geocaches or caches, anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (tupperware or similar) or ammo boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value. Geocaching is often described as a game of high-tech hide and seek, sharing many aspects with benchmarking, trigpointing, orienteering, treasure-hunting, letterboxing, and waymarking…”
BASIC EQUIPMENT
Before you hit the trails or city streets you may want to consider what you will need to prepare to geocache. This will all depend on the number and age of participants as well as experience with the outdoors. Here’s our quick list of things we suggest you do in preparing to geocache for the first time.
LEARN your GPS- be sure you know how to use your GPS. (I researched quite a bit before settling on a Garmin etrex Legend Cx) Set your home point and then add additional waypoints for the cache’s you hope to find. We suggest loading 3-5 caches that are near one another to help you have success.
GEOCACHE BAG- have you thought what types of tools you may need once you find the cache? If you are only seeking larger traditional caches then you should be able to find them pretty easily but you should still pack some bare essentials.
–first aid kit & sunscreen (you can make it as simple or elaborate as you want)
-snacks and water (since you won’t know for sure how long you will be gone.)
–gloves, tweezers, flashlight, bug spray, small plastic ziplocs, etc.
-SWAG items, Trackable items, pen, extra log sheets, etc.
-GPS and Camera (don’t wanna forget to take pics of your great finds!)
Dress for Geocaching
You do not want to get caught in a patch of poison ivy with shorts and sandals on. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Be prepared for the weather (rainy, snowy, hot, humid,etc.)
Fill up your Gas tank and Empty your Bladder
Make sure you have a good idea of where you are going (Urban, Suburban, Country, Wilderness, Desert,etc) and how far from a restroom you will be. If you have little ones be sure to pack a potty seat just in case. Keep your gas tank and your bellies from getting empty.
Swag, Trackables and Travel Bugs
you can collect small toys and trinkets from around your house or make some items like geostones, necklace charms,etc. I was not about to pay for a trackable this early into our geocaching since they can run from $5.00 on up per trackable tag/code. I searched and found a place to print your own Free trackable ID including a QR code! You will want to decide how many trackables you want to start with. (We recommend 10-25 so you can place one in each cache you find and then see how far they travel!) A simple way to create one is to print small trackable codes and mod podge/clear nail polish them onto flat rocks.
Geocaching Events
If your family really gets into geocaching, then consider joining a local group or attending an event. Usually events with registration fees will have special caches and geocoins for those events only.
Tips for your First Geocaching hunt from Geocacher University
That’s awesome! I’ve never heard of geocaching before, but it sounds really neat!
Wow, that sounds fun! What a great activity to get your kids outside and exploring nature. I haven’t heard of it, but I will mention it to hubby to see if we can try it out!
How fun! I have not geocached before, but have heard of it. Sounds like a good family activity!
Erica
We Three Crabs
I bet there are some really great ones up in Alaska:)
I made sure to scout out a couple of the easy ones to be sure we could find them and then brought the kids back with me:)
We’ve done this before, although it’s been a couple of years, it’s a fun, free activity for the family to do together and you never know what you will find when you get to the area!
I like the treasure hunt aspect to keep the kids interest or the series caches that have a fun theme.
Great information — This looks like fun!
Anne,
It is a lot of fun. Be sure to check the cache comments BEFORE you head out since caches can sometimes be stolen, moved, or destroyed due to weather/construction/muggles.
This looks really neat! I’ve always wanted to do this w/ our family. Thanks for sharing at the Geeky Educational Link Up!
We love to go geocaching and letterbox hunting! It gets us outside and enjoying nature and the boys love to play “super secret agent spy” because only we know what’s been buried where. Mwahaha!