the basics for beginners
WHAT EXACTLY IS GEOCACHING?
According to Wikipedia, itβs an outdoorΒ recreational activity in which theΒ participants use a Global PositioningΒ System (GPS) receiver or mobile deviceΒ and other navigational techniques to hideΒ and seek containers, called βgeocachesβΒ or βcachesβ, anywhere in the world. InΒ short, itβs a real-world treasure hunt usingΒ your GPS or iPhoneβand itβs happeningΒ all around the Black Hills!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START
- Difficulty Levels: each cache has a level from beginner toΒ expert that will be marked on the ownerβs profile. Make sure youΒ and your explorer can handle the terrain and the size of the cache.
- Where is the treasure? Not all caches have treasures in themβsome just have a logbook. Read the comments below the cacheΒ profile to set your kids up with proper expectations.
- One-for-One: only take one item from the cache. Children canΒ take turns with taking and replacing items for each cache you visit.
DOWNLOAD THE APPS BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT:
- Geocaching: $9.99 (for iPhone or Android)
- Google Maps or MapQuest, to use as aΒ geo-locator: price range from free, and up.
- Geobucket or Geocaching Toolkit: price rangeΒ from free, and up.
*Note: you may not need this one right away,Β but if youβre a geocaching pro, it may be justΒ what you are looking for!
THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOUΒ GEOCACHING:
- Pen or pencil: to sign the logbook!
- Phone: you need to know where youβreΒ goingβand to share photos!
- SWAG: a toy or treasure to swap.Β If you take one, replace it with somethingΒ similar or better!
THE HUNT BEGINS FOR YOUR FIRST GEOCACHE:
- Create an account at Geocaching.com. You will useΒ your login info with the Geocaching app.
- Launch the app and hit the βFind Nearby Geocachesβ button.
- Review the cache details for difficulty, trinkets needed, etc.
- Choose one from the list and head out on your adventure!
DOCUMENT YOUR GEOCACHING ADVENTURE
- Sign the logbook at the cache location with yourΒ geo-name (your username on geocaching.com)
- Mark it off your cache list! This lets the cacheΒ owner know you found it.
- Take a picture and Instagram it, use hashtagΒ #BHPtreasure @bhparent. (but donβt give awayΒ the location!)
ACRONYMS
First to Find. Congratulations!Β You were the first to find a new geocache!
BYOP: Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil.
If you see this on the cache profile, thereΒ is no pen/pencil at the cache location.
D/T: Difficulty/Terrain. GeocachesΒ are rated in two categories on a 5-pointΒ scale. Knowing the difficulty level of theΒ cache location will help in planning yourΒ treasure map.
TFTC: Thanks for the Cache. Let theΒ owner of the cache know about yourΒ adventure and thank them for the find!
SWAG: Stuff We All Get. These are theΒ trade items you find within the geocache.Β For examples of what geocachesΒ look like check out geocaching.com.
Compiled by Jenna Carda