Geocaching workshop a how-to on GPS, web resources - and family fun

BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

Interested in learning more about geocaching? Gaining practice in what is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing and most popular activities around?

Kings County Recreation has just the day for you.

aturday, July 19, Kings County Recreation will host its first Kings Geocache Adventure out of Glooscap Elementary School in Canning.

The day’s activity will begin with an information session from 11 a.m. to noon. Following a picnic lunch (bring your own picnic), there will be an opportunity for demo geocaching to 3 p.m. around the school.

Summer interns Kate Langille and Shannon Bishop describe geocaching as “a high-tech treasure hunt,” in which participants use global positioning (GPS) units and follow written clues to locate hidden caches.

“It’s a fairly new thing - only around since about 2000,” Bishop says. “One of the reasons for the rise in popularity is that it’s not only good exercise, it’s also something the whole family can do together - and enjoy.”

While the local event “is aimed at families, especially those who haven’t done it before,” Langille stresses, in some circles, geocaching is taken quite seriously - to the extent there is now an international website for geocachers, The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site, www.geocaching.com.

At the same time, geocaching can also be done strictly for fun and exercise.

“Our caches are for demonstration purposes only,” Langille says. “Normally, you go through the international website to register and set up a cache that anyone can access.”

Saturday’s event will feature around 10 caches. In general, Langille says, “caches are hidden, but not buried. They can be in a tree or attached to a building, a sign or even a power pole. The idea is for them to blend into their surroundings. Sometimes it takes some creativity to find them, and sometimes there are clues.”

Kings County Recreation, working closely with New Minas and Canning and District Recreation, is promoting geocaching as a fun, family activity as part of its mandate to promote active and healthy living.

“There’s a lot of adventure involved. Some caches can take all day to find. Ours will be easier, for those just starting out.”

Both Bishop and Langille have done geocaching. Bishop describes the activity as “kind of addictive.

“I didn’t really like it at first, but it really grows on you. All the caches are rated by degree of difficulty, so you can choose to go as easy or as hard as you like.”

Participants who have their own GPS units are encouraged to bring them along. There will also be 40 units on loan from the school board.

When you locate a cache, you will find it full of inexpensive items. In true geocaching, it is accepted practice to take something from the cache “as a souvenir, or proof that you found it,” and also to leave something of yours in the cache when you leave.

“It’s good to have a selection of trinkets (preferably purchased at a ‘dollar store’) on hand when you start. It’s also a good idea to pack a hat, sunscreen, insect repellant if you’re able to wear it, solid shoes - and don’t forget lots of water.”

WEBLINKS

www.geocaching.com