Geocaching is the ideal family activity. In fact I can't think of anything that's better. You're outside, together, discovering new places as well as hidden treasure.
Here a couple of cachingkids have found a cache that contained a pair of chopsticks.
2 chopsticks / 2 kids = 1 magic wand each.
Abracadabra!
Here a couple of cachingkids have found a cache that contained a pair of chopsticks.
2 chopsticks / 2 kids = 1 magic wand each.
Abracadabra!
OK, why go geocaching?
First off it's exercise. How much exercise and how strenuous the exercise is is entirely up to you. Caches are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 both in terms of the difficulty of finding the cache as well as how difficult the terrain will be to reach the cache.
So a 1/1 is a dead easy find and dead easy to get to. A 3/1 would be more difficult to find but still easy to get to. Conversely a 1/3 would be an easy find but will be somewhat difficult to reach perhaps due to hills that need to be climbed or a stream that needs to be crossed or some other hardship.
As you can see you are able to dial in the degree of difficulty to suit your preference.
While I know walking and cycling are good for me I really am not a fan of aimless walking/cycling just for the sake of exercise. If I have a purpose, such as a destination, well then that's a different story. Geocaching is a walk or ride with a purpose.
First off it's exercise. How much exercise and how strenuous the exercise is is entirely up to you. Caches are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 both in terms of the difficulty of finding the cache as well as how difficult the terrain will be to reach the cache.
So a 1/1 is a dead easy find and dead easy to get to. A 3/1 would be more difficult to find but still easy to get to. Conversely a 1/3 would be an easy find but will be somewhat difficult to reach perhaps due to hills that need to be climbed or a stream that needs to be crossed or some other hardship.
As you can see you are able to dial in the degree of difficulty to suit your preference.
While I know walking and cycling are good for me I really am not a fan of aimless walking/cycling just for the sake of exercise. If I have a purpose, such as a destination, well then that's a different story. Geocaching is a walk or ride with a purpose.
First Cache!
Pinehill Cemetery Wilmot Twp.
One of the great repeating themes of geocaching is that you will discover places you would never have known about. You'd simply have no reason for going were it not for geocaching.
Chances are you will, as I did, rediscover your own neighbourhood.
When I first searched for caches in the area where I live I found out there were three within 400m of my house! In the process of trying to find them I came upon trails and places I wasn't aware of.
Expand your search area and quite honestly you will be marvelling at all the neat little and not so little areas close by.
And speaking of themes, often a series of caches are part of a theme. For example, Cache Owner (CO in caching parlance, simply a cacher who also places caches) Dundeejim has more than 100 caches that take you to cemeteries in the area. It's called appropriately enough, The BoneYard Series.
Chances are you will, as I did, rediscover your own neighbourhood.
When I first searched for caches in the area where I live I found out there were three within 400m of my house! In the process of trying to find them I came upon trails and places I wasn't aware of.
Expand your search area and quite honestly you will be marvelling at all the neat little and not so little areas close by.
And speaking of themes, often a series of caches are part of a theme. For example, Cache Owner (CO in caching parlance, simply a cacher who also places caches) Dundeejim has more than 100 caches that take you to cemeteries in the area. It's called appropriately enough, The BoneYard Series.
Geocaching can be done solo or with family, a friend or in a group.
Kids absolutely love it. And it's a four season activity. For sure some caches will be suspended over the winter but winter actually makes others easier to find.
Kids absolutely love it. And it's a four season activity. For sure some caches will be suspended over the winter but winter actually makes others easier to find.
St. Jacob's Trail group event and yup, he's up the tree trying to find the cache
Can you spot the cache? You're looking at it
Apart from exercising your body you'll also be exercising your brain. Some hides are diabolically clever. Many times you'll be looking right at it and can't see it for the life of you.
There are different kinds of caching activities. The most common, referred to as 'traditional', is like a treasure hunt. You simply try to find the cache.
Another type of caching experience is the 'multicache'. This is like a scavenger hunt where each cache you find will give you a clue as to where to find the next.
And there are other types of caching as well.
Waterloo Region has some of the best geocachers in the world. OK I'm biased. But the dedication and humour of these people is something I admire. Just as it is not uncommon to be scratching your head over a cache it is equally likely that you'll be laughing out loud once you've found it.
There are different kinds of caching activities. The most common, referred to as 'traditional', is like a treasure hunt. You simply try to find the cache.
Another type of caching experience is the 'multicache'. This is like a scavenger hunt where each cache you find will give you a clue as to where to find the next.
And there are other types of caching as well.
Waterloo Region has some of the best geocachers in the world. OK I'm biased. But the dedication and humour of these people is something I admire. Just as it is not uncommon to be scratching your head over a cache it is equally likely that you'll be laughing out loud once you've found it.
Geocaching is inexpensive. All you need is a GPS device. If you have a smart phone you can simply download the app. Got a portable GPS for your car? You can use that. In fact the GPS is the only expense. For a more complete discussion of GPS devices click here.
Anne aka Nannya has discovered her 100th cache, appropriately entitled Arachnophobia
So this is an afterthought. I've come to realize that after geocaching I have a sense of accomplishment. This isn't trivial and though it's a great feeling at any age, as we get older it becomes harder and harder to come by. Even if I don't find the cache I'm looking for all that does is steel my resolve and make my feeling of accomplishment all the stronger once I do.