Everybody loves a treasure hunt. It may sound like a game for kids, but adults enjoy it too. There’s something exciting about finding something hidden, especially if you get a prize. Combine a treasure hunt with hiking and you have geocaching, a fun outdoor adventure.

Have you ever set up a treasure hunt for kids? It takes longer to set it up than it does for the kids to find the treasures. Geocaching is a treasure hunt that’s already set up in parks, wilderness areas and even in cities across the United States and worldwide. Here’s how it works.

You need a GPS, or Global Positioning System. Fortunately prices have come down in recent years. You can get a basic GPS unit for well under $100. Better yet, if you have a cell phone, you have already have one. Many smartphones are equipped with GPS. If you have an iPhone, you can get a geocaching app very inexpensively.

Next, you need to go to geocaching.com and enter the zip code of the area you want to hike near. You’ll see a list of active geocaches near you, along with their coordinates. Use your GPS to get to the correct coordinates. This puts you within about 20 feet of your goal. Now you need to use your creativity and good old-fashioned thinking. Where could it be hidden? In a pile of wood, in a cavity on a sign post, tucked into a bush? The container itself could be almost anything. A Tupperware container covered in camouflage duct tape, an old ammo box, or a cache box made just for geocaching. It’s probably not bright red with blinking lights, so you’re going to have to search around a little.

Once you found the container, open it up. Inside you’ll find a handful of treasures. Pick something you want to keep and leave a treasure for the next person to find. The goodies inside could be small toys, pens, foreign coins, or anything. Some caches have a theme. I saw one with dog toys. Many caches include disposable cameras and or logs and pens. Sign the log and take a photo of yourself and leave the camera and log behind.

Sometimes you’ll find a travel bug or geocoin. These are items that have unique tracking numbers. If you are so inclined, take the travel bug or coin with you and leave it at a different geocache. Don’t forget to log its progress at geocaching.com. Some travel bugs have a goal, like to reach a specific country. If you can help it on it’s way, take it with you. Others are just put into play by owners who want to see their bugs have adventures and travel. The general rule of thumb is to keep them moving.

Once you’ve collected the treasure you want and left something behind for the next adventurer, close the cache and tuck it back away where you found it. Now go back into geocaching.com and enter your coordinates. You’ll get a list of the next closest geocaches to find.

Geocaching is a great inexpensive adventure for anyone, young or old. To make the most of your quest, you need to be prepared. Wear good shoes or hiking boots, and bring plenty of water. An insulated cooler bag can keep your drinks cold without leaking and getting your backpack wet. Bring your GPS device and plenty of goodies to trade.

Author Bio: Written by Hannah Valez, avid hiker and outdoor adventurer. Insulated Cooler Bag Toyota Dealer New Homes Chula Vista

Category: Recreation
Keywords: hiking, outdoor adventures, treasure hunting, scout activities