Have You Ever Gone Geocaching?
D is going to be turning 11 soon. And we have been brain storming outdoor birthday party ideas. And we discovered that one of our county parks offers a geocaching birthday party. Geocaching?
Turns out geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
This one was a little trickier to find. The gps location pin pointed to a house across the street and we felt uncomfortable snooping around someone's private property. Plus, as the name suggests, there was no railing in sight. So we went across the street where there was a railing. Eventually it was found, the goodies inside were a bit meagre so H graciously decided not to take anything and still left a small Catboy figurine.
Turns out geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
Yup, that make total sense. Off to find a youtube video because we were a still confused. We found this video with a cute kid dumbing it down for us.
Step 1. Download the app and create an account at geocaching.com
Step 2. Find a geocaching location near you. So over the weekend we decided to try it out. Turns out there are a whole bunch near us.. I mean who knew this was thing!
Step 3. Pick the one you want to do and the map opens up.. all you got to do is follow it. We drove as far as we could drive and then we walked the rest of the way. There is a clue or riddle sometimes to help you find it. The first one we did was called 'The Birdhouse' so obviously once we were just a couple of feet away the boys started to look for a birdhouse.
Step 4. Once the bird house was found you open it or in this case remove the bag from inside it. Now I'm not sure if the bird house is the geocache or the stuff inside it is. Anyway.. inside were two zip lock bags. One contained a pencil and a log that you date and sign. The other contained a bag of small tokens. The idea is that you take something and leave something. So for the first geocache D removed a little red car and left behind a bouncy ball.
Step 5. You mark the geocache found on the app.. can leave a thanks to the person who hid it and that is about it.
Since we had some more time we did a second one.
Conclusion, the boys enjoyed it. It took them away from their screens and spend sometime outdoors. While it is not something D wants to do for his birthday, he does want to continue doing it. I like that it has no geographical boundaries.. so you can do it wherever, whenever. You can adjust the level of difficulty making it more challenging for adults.
Have you ever gone geocaching?
I've been once when I was in high school!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Curated By Jennifer
I have not done that but I would think it would be fun to do!
ReplyDeleteWe never got around to trying it with our kids but my sister's family did it a lot. Sounds like a great outside activity!
ReplyDeleteI have friends who are into geocaching BIG TIME. They love it because it gets them out and about doing physically activity without it being too demanding. On the other hand, I've never done it because I'm a slug.
ReplyDeleteI remember when it first became a "thing", but I've never tried it. I think it's a great idea for a birthday party!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try geocaching someday. It looks so fun.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had a good time.
I've heard of geocaching, as I've got a friend who's mad about it. I have never done it myself, though. Sounds like you guys had lots of fun! xxx
ReplyDeleteI have heard of it, but never done it. It does sound like fun.
ReplyDeleteMind you it sounds as if you still have a birthday treat to find. Good luck.
My daughter was into it back in high school years ago, I went with her a few times. It's fun! I hope your family will continue to enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this because a fellow knitting blogger in Canada used to blog about it. It sounds fun and love how you can take an item out of the bag.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds pretty cool! Have never heard of it before, Hena. Thanks for the info. It's like a treasure hunt!
ReplyDeleteMy brother told me about this a few years ago. He did it back then. I've never tried it, but I would be open to it if I had a buddy to do it with.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so fun! I bet my kids would love this, even though they're a little older than yours. May be something we'll have to check out this summer!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
I have never done this but have heard about it. Sounds so cool and so fun. I would have LOVED this when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
I feel like I've heard of this but really had NO idea what it meant. It's basically a scavenger hunt in a way. I would LOVE that. Hah!! Maybe we try something like that for us??
ReplyDeleteXOOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
I've heard about this but never done it. It looks really fun!
ReplyDeleteI have not tried it but looks very fun!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try it someday.
I'm learning about geocaching for the first time, and it sounds exciting! Such a fun idea!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com
I have always thought that this activity sounded like it could be fun but I have never tried it. I am not sure that a party of kids would be patient enough for it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done this in a long time. I think my girls would enjoy something like this too!
ReplyDeleteNO!! and had no idea!! but how fun this sounds, i think it is a great idea for a party!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a fun way to spend time outdoors!
ReplyDeleteWell isn't this fun?! I had not heard of geocaching before!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I've never heard of this before. It sounds a bit confusing. When my son was little we had many different themed parties, one was a climbing wall, another Power Rangers, and another a Pony to ride! I hope your son's birthday is extra special for him.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
I've never done this! Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
So much fun 🤩
ReplyDeleteI've never done this but it looks like a fun adventure. :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of it before, but it seems like fun.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I have never done. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this, but it sounds so fun!
ReplyDeleteI have friends who love to go geocaching!
ReplyDelete