Getting Started with Geocaching: A Fun Outdoor Treasure Hunt

Merge the thrill of a treasure hunt with the joy of being in the great outdoors. That's geocaching a global, GPS-based game where players hide and seek containers, or "geocaches," at specific locations marked by coordinates. From city streets to mountain hikes, geocaching will take you everywhere. Whether walking in the woods, strolling in a park, or strolling in an urban area, the excitement of finding a hidden "treasure" never gets old. The following is a guide that will walk you through everything you should know to start geocaching, ranging from its history to equipment, rules, and advice on how to make your first find. A Brief History of Geocaching: Geocaching began in May 2000, shortly after the U.S. government improved the accuracy of GPS signals for civilian use. Dave Ulmer, an enthusiastic GPS user, on May 3 hid a container in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, and posted the coordinates online inviting others to come and find it. The idea caught ...