Caches aren’t limited to wide open spaces; many can be found in towns and cities. In fact, there’s probably a cache near you right now!
Geocaching not only enables you to get plenty of fresh air and exercise, it also provides a sense of achievement. Often you have a start point (a set of co-ordinates) which, when entered into a GPS receiver or app will lead you to a location. Once there, you may have to hunt about a bit for the cache.
The cache itself can be anything from a small watertight canister to a large box. Inside is a prize, usually left by the previous explorer. You take what’s inside and replace it with something for the next explorer to discover - usually something sentimental rather than valuable. If there’s a log book and pencil hidden away then make sure you add your name, time and date!
Not much equipment is required to enjoy geocaching: a receiver, or smartphone with a geocaching app is all you need, but dress accordingly, you never know where your adventure will take you!
Geocaching apps vary in price but start for as little as nothing. It can be a solo or group activity and is a great way of getting the kids out in the fresh air (you may have to bribe them to get them out for the day though!)
There are links to online equipment shops and other info on the official geocaching website . But if you want to try before you buy, free apps are available for both iOs and Android devices.
Often, people will go to extraordinary lengths to make caches interesting, novel, quirky even hard to find, so why don’t you try?
There are loads of online and high street retailers specialising in caches, from resin containers made to look like batteries, insects on leaves, toadstools, bottle tops, CCTV cameras, fallen fruit and even just grass!
If you have a cache idea in mind, here are some dos and don’ts.
When it comes to hiding your cache, the only limit is your imagination. But it’s worth noting that caches should be accessible to all.
Things to bear in mind include:
Once you have decided on what you wish to hide and where you need to hide it you can ‘register’ your cache with one of the many online databases so that people will know about it.
All the online guides to geocaching have both a Code of Conduct and strict guidelines on placing and finding caches. Make sure you read up on them first!
Once your cache is hidden and logged on a database you will have become a Cache Owner! Many owners like to visit their caches from time-to-time just to make sure they are still intact.
The most important thing though is to have fun, whether you are hiding, or finding.
