Friday 2 May 2014

Geocaching, What's It All About?

Geocaching is something that I have heard of, I've seen many of my friends mentioning it on their social media profiles but it wasn't until last weekend that my husband looked up exactly what it was :

Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a GPS receiver or mobile device to hide and seek containers which are called geocaches or caches, these can be found all around the world.

In simple terms it is like a real life treasure hunt.

Where to start?

First of all sign yourself up to geocaching.com. Here you can log your finds, let people know if maintenance is needed on a certain geocache and chat with other community members.

Which app should I use?
c:geo


There are quite few apps available to help you on your geocaching quest. We used c:geo for android purely because it was free but there are other apps available such as CacheSense and the official app Geocaching.

What are we looking for??

A typical geocache is a waterproof container which typically contains a logbook. Not all geocaches are the same, some are small, some are large. Some geocachers like to leave other things in the containers for trading such as small toys or trinkets.
What to do once you've found a geocache?

Once you've found a geocache, you sign the logbook with the date you found it and the profile name which you signed up with on geocaching.com. Once you have signed the log, you must place the container back exactly where you found it ready for the next geocacher to find.

Time to explore

We were surprised at how many geocaches there were to be found locally. We decided to look for a couple that were closest to our home. Our first destination, Crabble Rugby ground. So off we set with our wellies on, ready to search.


      

If you want to make finding the geocache a little easier, you can read some clues online, the one we were trying to find first said "6 foot up a tree", well there were a lot of trees!!!

geocaching

geocaching
      

 We weren't successful in finding the first geocache, so we decided to change locations and try again elsewhere. This time we moved onto the Western Heights. We struggled even more here because our phone struggled to pick up a GPS signal. In the end we had to give up but we walked around making the most of being outdoors.

western heights dover
 



Even though we didn't find any geocaches, we weren't disappointed. It was a fun day out and even better, it was FREE!!!! All the kids had a great time, mini detectives in the making!!

I'm happy to report that we did have success in the end. We decided to go back to Crabble Rugby Ground the next day and after a little bit more searching we found the geocache hidden inside one of the trees, turns out we had been in the right area all along, just need to keep going that little bit longer.

I think this is something we will be doing a lot over the Summer months, great way to get outdoors and find new areas to visit in the process.

xxxx


Fun as a gran

28 comments:

  1. This looks so much fun, i first heard about it when the boys were little but now theyre older think we might give it a bash. Would be good for daddy to do with them while mummy stays home with new baby perhaps!

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    1. I like your thinking, fab addy and son boding time x

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  2. Thanks for the information at the top of the post. I think the one thing with caching is if you don't find anything you are all still having a fab day spending time together regardless.
    Well done on going back for the find, and yes not the most useful clue, but then that is the fun of it. As you say it was free.
    You do learn to think....hmmm that looks like a suitable spot.
    Looks like a great child friendly are for running around.
    Thanks for linking up and adding the badge
    Have to say I struggle in this area with c:geo as well, though others say it works fine in their neck of the woods.

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    1. I think we might have a go with a few different apps. it is a great way of encouraging the kids to get outside :) thanks for hosting hun x

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  3. It's a great hobby! I started it when I moved house to make dog walks more interesting...I use the official geocaching app on my iphone all the time now, it sometimes struggles under a lot of tree cover but is really accurate 9 times out of 10.

    Word of advice if no-one's given them already...have tweezers on you...some caches are VERY small...and check terrain before you leave, as it's gets warmer nettles and brambles get huge, you may want garden gloves with you for a good rummage! Most of all, have fun :)

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    1. hubby took gloves with him last time :) great tip with the tweezers!! thank you x

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  4. Geocaching is great fun. We started it when my eldest was just 18months, shes now almost 5! We have since upgraded to a gps, which makes it a bit easier on longer days out due to battery power. If you ever get stuck, most cache owners will give extra hints if your really stuck and ask nicely. Welcome to such a great, fun free activity, :-) I have several posts on my blog about caching with children :-)

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    1. you've been doing it a long time then!! I shall be looking at your posts, we are really getting into it now :) x

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  5. As of me writing this, my husband and son went out to find a small 35mm film casing near the park here. Yep they are geocaching. I am allowed to follow if they take too long they said. I think I will now =P #countrykids

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  6. They didnt find it =P #countrykids

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  7. Great post and fab information - thank you! We have been looking into doing this and my hubby will love this info! #countrykids

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  8. Geocaching is a great activity that the whole family can take part in with the added bonus of great outdoor adventure and fun too. I'm so glad you managed to find one in the end and it's spurred you on for trying again. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.

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    1. Thank you for hosting!! Hubby refused to let the geocache beat him lol x

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  9. I've heard a lot of good things about geocaching, and am just waiting until the kids are a bit older to sign up and get going. As you say, gets you outdoors, is lots of fun and free - what's not to love?!

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    1. All the kids had a fab time, even Layla who didn't have a clue what we were doing lol x

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  10. I want to get out and do this with my kids

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    1. definitely give it a go you won't regret it x

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  11. Sounds like a lot of fun! I've always loved anything to do with detective work so I think I would enjoy it and I'm sure the kids will - probably when they're a little older! X #countrykids

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    1. yes it is like solving little mysteries so fun x

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  12. Great to find another geocacher - we've had some fab adventures this week :) Popping over from the #geocaching linkie

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    1. I've read your posts, looks like you've had a fab time!!! thanks for popping by x

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  13. Ooh we keep saying we must have a go at this. Good to learn more.

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  14. We love geocaching! We've been a few times and will definitely be doing it again over the summer. It's great to have a challenge in addition to a lovely walk :) #CountryKids

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    1. it is isn't it, just makes things more interesting x

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