This logo isn't an ad or affiliate link. It's an organization that shares in our mission, and empowered the authors to share their insights in Byte form.
Rumie vets Bytes for compliance with our
Standards.
The organization is responsible for the completeness and reliability of the content.
Learn more
about how Rumie works with partners.
Have you ever wanted to hunt for treasure?
Now you can with geocaching!
It's a great way to explore the outdoors, discover new beautiful locations, and get some exercise...all while having fun!
What is Geoaching?
Geocaching is the world's largest modern-day treasure hunt.
Image courtesy of Kitzzy Aviles
How it works:
People all over the world hide "treasure" (aka geocache)
They publish the GPS coordinates on Geocaching.com
You use your smartphone to find the treasure
ALWAYS bring a pen to sign the log when you find it
You never know what you'll find or where the coordinates will lead you, but that's part of the fun!
Let's look at 3 ways you can get the most out of your next geocaching adventure.
1. Rediscover play
Remember when you were little and you spent all day playing and any little thing made you happy?
As we grow up, we get busy and forget to play. Geocaching is a great way to bring out your inner child and find joy in the little things again.
Image courtesy of Kitzzy Aviles
Image courtesy of Kitzzy Aviles
Often what you'll find inside a cache are trinkets, but it's less about what you find than the journey to find it.
Quiz
What MUST you bring with you when geocaching? Check all that apply:
ALWAYS, always bring a pen to sign the log. This is how you prove you found the cache. You can't find a geocache without a GPS device to lead you there, such as your smartphone, so this is also a must. While it's fun to take pictures of your finds, and some geocaches may be far away, neither a car nor a camera is required to go geocaching. You may be able to walk out your front door or hop on a bike or bus to find your next geocache.
Did you know?
Some geocaches contain small trinkets for trade, such as stickers, toys, or even games. If you take something, leave something of equal or greater value. You may also find trackables — these have a unique tracking number and move from geocache to geocache towards a goal.
2. Get some exercise
The best workout is the one you'll actually do.
Why not combine exercise with a fun activity to get your steps in?
While there are "park-and-grab" geocaches, others require walking or hiking a few miles to get to the destination: some even have multiple destinations!
Because you'll be busy looking for the cache and taking in the scenery, you'll be surprised at how many steps you'll log without realizing it.
Did you know?
Can't find the treasure? They're usually well hidden or disguised. Check the hint or latest activity on the cache page for clues of where to look. If nobody found it recently, it may be missing.
3. Discover new places
Often the reward isn't what you find, but where you find it.
People often hide geocaches in beautiful places others wouldn't normally stumble upon on their own, like a hidden gem in their city.
Try geocaching when traveling to a new city as a fun and challenging self-tour of cool places to visit.
Let's go geocaching!
For your first geocaching adventure, you decide to explore a nearby park known for its scenic trails and hidden treasures. You've prepared all your geocaching essentials, including your smartphone, some trinkets, and a pen.
While searching, you come across a well-hidden geocache with a unique-looking container. What should you do next?
A. Take the geocache and all of its contents as a souvenir.
B. Sign the logbook with your geocaching username and date as proof of your find.
C. Leave the geocache where you found it without touching it.
D. Share a photo of the container and the exact hiding spot on social media.
Quiz
Select the best answer on what to do next after finding the geocache.
Geocaches are meant to be touched and opened, so you can sign the physical logbook to prove you were there before logging it on the app (some owners won't count your "find" if you don't sign the log). While you can trade trinkets, NEVER take the container with you. Geocaches are meant to be enjoyed by everyone, so be sure to put it back exactly how you found it after you take a look. It's fun to take pictures of your caches, but be careful about giving away the secrets of the find and ruining it for others as the discovery is part of the fun.
Take Action
Now it's your turn to find some treasure!
This Byte has been authored by
Kitzzy Avilés
Instructional Designer, Leader and Facilitator
Master's Degree