October 14th, 2009
Geocaching is a fun way for families to spend time together, exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. What’s more, it’s very affordable (the only expense is the purchase of one hand held GPS, which typically runs anywhere from $150-200 for a good unit) and it’s very easy to get started. Here’s a how-to guide to get you started on this fun family adventure.
1. Talk it up.
Talk to your kids about what it is and why it’s fun — build excitement. Take a gander at geocaching.com and see what the fuss is all about.
2. Get a free account at geocaching.com
A regular account is free and it only takes a few minutes to sign up and get started geocaching. If you like the game, you might want to sign up for the premium package, which is only $30 per year per family.
3. Get a GPS.
If you’re not sure or want to try out the sport, ask around and see if you can borrow a GPS from a friend or neighbor. If you and your family love geocaching, you can find a good hand held GPS at any sporting goods store or online at EdgeGPS.com.
4. Go exploring.
Once you sign up and create a free account at geocaching.com, let the hunt begin! Use the online tools to search for geocaches near your home, gather the family and set out to begin your adventure. Here are some items you might want to gather to make your geocaching even more enjoyable:
- pen or pencil (for signing logbooks in smaller caches where a writing implement isn’t included in the cache)
- trinkets for trading (can be small toys, flashlights, keychains, gadgets, etc. Typically items of small value and size are best. Once you’ve seen a few geocaches, you’ll get the idea)
- extra batteries for your GPS
- small flashlight
That’s it! You’re ready to get started — have fun geocaching!
Leave a Reply
