If you’ve ever been fascinated with the idea of treasure hunting, geocaching is the activity for you.
On the Yosemite trip this year, students and teachers experienced this activity by climbing through a narrow cave. After an hour, they found an ammunition box full of old notebooks that had been signed by previous finders, and the group decided to write down their names as well.
“It was really fun especially since it was my first time,” Junior Ivy So said. “If I happen to be near a geocache again, I’d go check it out because I’ve heard there have been some pretty unique things in them.”
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity that utilizes a GPS to locate a specific destination. Once someone finds the location, there will be a box containing a log of previous finders’ names. Often times, past geocachers place unique objects or trinkets so that those who find the geocache have the option of obtaining a momento of their experience.
In turn, you must place an object of equal value in the box for others to trade. After all this has been done, you can post your experience online for the geocaching community to see.
Not every discovery site is in a remote place or requires arduous physical activity to find; most geocaches are placed in common areas such as local parks. The important thing to remember when looking for caches, however, is to not give up and to think creatively. Geocaches aren’t placed in easily visible spots. Some are hidden underneath grates, stuck to stop signs, disguised as trash and even buried in the ground. Remember, wherever you go there is always an opportunity to find these hidden treasures.
Intro to Microsoft teacher Mr. Gene Simons has been hunting for about seven years now, and has found over 1000 geocaches.
“You have to learn to think differently when you’re caching,” Mr. Simons said. “After you start getting into it, you realize that this stuff is all around and no one knows it’s there.”
The most popular site for the activity is www.geocaching.com, who currently have about 60 geocaches in the Temple City area.
TCHS School Newspaper