Geocaching - Get Moving With the Family

Back in 2003 and 2004 we discovered geocaching via the recommendation of my American friends. It wasn't yet a popular activity that had caught on over here so there were few caches. Geocaching is like a big treasure hunt. Someone hides a rubbermaid like container with a log book, pencils and sharpeners along with some non-perishable goodies and trinkets - you post the co-ordinates and some hints on a site like geocaching.com and people search it out. Each visitor logs their visit, takes something and leaves something for someone else. Very fun and the kids absolutely love it. I had long forgotten about it until someone brought up geocaching to me again. I thought I should check and low and behold a geocache we had made and placed locally is STILL going. I couldn't believe it! People leave messages and let you know what they found, what they left, how they enjoyed the walk. It's a great way to get outdoors, discover new places and most of all to get in some great activity and exercise for the whole family.

You can download an app right to your iPhone or Blackberry to log local caches and start your treasure hunt. I usually recommend taking a grocery bag or two to pick up trash while you are in there. It's called, cache in - trash out, you have fun and clean up local parks while getting activity, another great bonus! Pick up some trinkets from the dollar store or items around the house you think people would find useful. Make up a cd with mixed music you think someone would enjoy, keychains, anything fun or interesting others might want to trade.

The reason geocaching is so great in my opinion is because not only are you doing something fun for the kids, but you are also teaching them that you can make a small difference by participating in "cache in, trash out" and how much fun it can be to be outdoors and away from the plugged in devices we all rely on for instant entertainment these days. I know we have plans to take the kids out on the next nice day for a refreshing round of treasure hunting and fun to kick off the summer!