Pump up Your Geocache: Ten Ways to Geocache You’ve Never Heard Of

Think you know Geocaching?  Think again!

Geocaching is an international pastime that involves using GPS coordinates to locate a container that holds a logbook and swag(treasure).  Think of it as sort of a high tech treasure hunt that leads you to all kinds of hidden locations that are just right outside your door.  You may think you know all about geocaching, but it is way more than just hide and seek.  The folks who create geocaches are as creative as they come, so there are tons of different ways to mix up the geocaching model to keep cachers playing.  Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Multi-Cache.  A multi cache is a two or more step hunt that involves finding the first set of coordinates that leads to a clue that reveals the second set of coordinates. 

 

2. Puzzle Caches require you to solve a puzzle of some kind to complete the find.

 

3. Challenge Caches require geocachers to find the coordinates and the complete a series of challenges to log the cache.  Challenges can be simple-like taking a picture on the courthouse steps, or silly-like posing in the shape of the clock hands, or inspiring-like climbing to the top of a mountain.

4. Night Caches are caches that can only be found in the dark.  Clues usually involve strategically placed reflectors that lead the way to the final destination.  These can really be a challenge if you happen to be afraid of things that go bump in the night, but can also be a fun way to conquer the fear of the dark.

 

 

5. Event Cache.  A set of coordinates and instructions along with a time and date are posted to encourage geocachers to meet in one location to meet new friends and swap stories.  In all honesty, if you meet up with a bunch of geocachers, you are going to meet some fairly odd ducks.  Even if you take geocaching seriously, you will meet people who have you beat by a mile.  And you will also never be bored.  For our most recent event cache, we met at a roller derby rink with armed with an umbrella and instructions to wait for the music.  When the "Circle of Life" began to play, geocachers from popped out of every corner to perform an impromptu flash mob.  It was a blast!

6. CITO Cache. Cache in Trash Out Caches are a type of event cache to encourage geocachers to join together and clean up an area.   Geocaching actively encourages all participants to remove trash whenever they are hunting, but it fun to participate in a group clean up effort.

 

7. Letterbox Hybrid.  Letterboxing is a hunting game that is similar to geocaching.  Becca at Rwethereyetmom posted a great overview of letterboxing on her site.  Letterboxing involves using written clues to find a box that contains a stamp pad and stamp to log your visit.   If you add GPS coordinates to this process, you have a letterbox hybrid where you can enjoy both geocaching and letterboxing.

 

8. Virtual Caches are placed in a location where a traditional cache cannot go and do not contain a logbook or actual container.  Instead, you must prove that you have visited the site by taking a picture or answering some sort of question that you would learn from your visit. 

9. Earthcaches are special kinds of virtual caches where the "treasure" you find is the knowledge you gain by exploring an area of geological interest.

10. Wherigo Cache is the next generation of geocaching, and if you have kids that want to spend all their time in front of a video game, this is the way to get them outside.   Think of it as a mix between a first person adventure game and a typical geocache.  Instead of clicking the mouse or moving the joystick to move your character, you actually move yourself around in the real world to interact with objects and characters on the screen that are activated by your GPS position.  Of course, there is still a cache to find at that end.  If you have never tried geocaching-maybe because it seems kinda lame-try our a Wherigo and see if you are hooked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Today I am linking up with Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings~