Geo caching is a multi national treasure hunting game with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver.
The key to this game is find the cache that was hidden by one of the other players. You don't have to hide a cache if you don't want to. However from talking with some friends of mine it can be fun hiding a cache really well and see how many people can find the cache.
This game is Internet based. With the first 2 types of caches there is a log book to sign. Then at that point you go to the Web site and log that you have found it. There is more in depth details that are entailed as far as how to get started in the game.
Geo Caching
Over View Of The Cache Types
The first type of cache is a micro cache which uses a small container of some sort with a log book only and you can sign it when you get on site. This also includes things as small as a magnetic key holder with a log book and tiny pencils.
The next type of cache is just that a cache. This one involves a reasonable size container bigger than the micro caches. In this kind of cache people put different things in it that are similar in nature. Normally these caches have a theme of one sort or another. Over time however it may not follow the theme because of what people bring out to the cache site to trade. When you do arrive on site you can take one thing of interest to you. But in return you need to leave something behind in it's place. It can be something as inexpensive as a goodie from the dollar store.
The third type of cache is what we call a virtual cache. This is good for highly populated areas or cities where it can be really difficult to to hide a cache. In this type of cache there are a series of questions about a certain area that you have to answer. The coordinates that are given normally take you to where you can find the answer to the question that you are on. In some areas one has to do a Virtual cache because here in the USA in certain states the State Parks don't want any actual caches in their parks. As a General rule a Virtual cache takes you to objects that are permanent and can't be removed.
What You May Find In The Caches
There are several things that you can find inside of a cache. This is just an over view of some of the possibilities that exist.
Travel BugThe travel bug is some object that someone wants to go place to place. It can be either locally or some where else in the world.
This find is special because this one will go to one of the other Cache sites that you visit. And you can track the Travel bug online and find out where it is at. It is kinda fun to see where the Travel bug ended up because one can never tell.
However when you take the Travel Bug it counts as one find and you would leave something in it's place. In a nut shell you only take it if you really want to bring it along to your next cache.
The odds and ends
The odds and ends are just that.
Basically all you need to do is put in the cache is a trinket of some sort. You can find things like little stuffed animals, Music CD's and electronics from time to time. I think from one of Forest Gumps statements " You never know what you are going to get" That explains finding a cache and not knowing what is there till you get there.
Final thought on Geo Caching
The treasure hunting by itself is fun; however I think there can be more to it than that.
I live on the Kitsap Peninsula here in Washington State. And because of Geo caching I have found dozens of nice parks that I never knew where here. So while treasure hunting I have been discovering allot of nice parks and wooded areas in my area. And some of them I go back to on a regular bases with my dogs and kick back and relax.
So is it just a game? You decide.
In case you missed the link above here it is again.
Geo Caching