We’re Going Geocaching and Earthcaching on National Scavenger Hunt Day

May 24, 2022

From the thrill of the hunt, the fun of thinking creatively and outside the box, and the ultimate satisfaction of finally getting the treasure, scavenger hunts have always been a delightful part of childhood memories! Maybe you’ve even gone on a corporate team building scavenger hunt in adulthood. Well, we’re really excited to tell you that you can enjoy the real deal treasure hunt right in your own backyard no matter how old you are! That’s right, folks, thanks to an amazing hobby called Geocaching, you and your loved ones can go hunting for mystery trinkets and treasures without having to sail the high seas.

What is Geocaching and why should we try it?

Originally called “geostashing” upon its inception in the early 2000s, Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that involves using a GPS receiver or your mobile phone or tablet to pinpoint the location of hidden treasure! This rugged wilderness game of hide-and-seek leads adventure seekers to containers called “geocaches” or caches at each of the GPS coordinate locations. The rules for geocaching are simple: Find the cache, take something from the cache, leave another item in return in the cache, and then write it in the logbook.

Geocaching is great for mental health on multiple levels: it gets you moving, it gets you outside, it promotes thinking outside the box, and it’s also a great boost of serotonin and endorphins once you finally land your prize! Who wouldn’t love that? It’s also a great way to bond with your friends and family as you work together to pinpoint the location of the “buried treasure.”

Even better still, though, is the fact that Geocaching is also a global affair! Once you’ve got the hang of the hunt, you can explore geocaching locations in just about every section of the world. Just go online and check the local area you’re traveling to or visiting, and see what locations have been marked on the regional maps. It’s an amazing way to experience nature as well as learning how to employ GPS and Map Technologies to pinpoint locations and read maps in different regions.

What do you need for Geocaching?

Geocaching basics require a smartphone with good connectivity range that is capable of GPS coordinate mapping (latitude and longitude coordinates) or a mobile satellite GPS device. You’ll want to make sure you bring a portable battery charger to ensure that you don’t lose charge while on the hunt!

You will need a set of comfortable clothing made for hiking and walking, because some journeys may take a little longer than others. You’ll want comfortable footwear that is made for hiking and walking in different climates and terrain, as some geocache locations may be off the beaten path. You’ll need to bring plenty of water and electrolyte drinks to keep you hydrated, and protein packed snacks to keep you energized.

You’ll also want to bring a few small treasures and surprises to leave behind on your geocaching adventure when you claim your prize. These can include things you’ve made, small trinkets and collectibles, currency from other countries, crystals or shells or rocks, or other small giftables.

And of course, you’ll want to bring a camera or video recording device to log your adventures and share with friends!

How do I find Geocaches near me?

If you’ve got an Android or Apple smartphone device, you can download the Official Geocaching App!

You can also check out this cool database of Geocaching locations right here in Lake County to see what’s new, what’s active, and what’s no longer a treasure spot.

If you’re headed up to Wisconsin on a family adventure, you can try Geocaching or Earthcaching there as well! Check out this list of geocaching spots in Wisconsin here.

Learn more about Geocaching here: