Geocaching is delightful because of the people who play it — adventure-seekers, makers, parents, astronauts and (sometimes) celebrities. Read their stories.
The holidays are approaching and with the Geocaching Action and Discovery kit, you can inspire the spirit of adventure in kids. The Explorer’s Guide to Geocaching Activity Book—exclusive to the kit—guides them through the adventure of geocaching with fun characters, over a dozen activities and more. They’ll have everything they need to find their first few geocaches* as well as hide one of their own.
Give this kit and unlock millions of adventures around the world.
Recommended for ages 8 – 12
The Geocaching Action and Discovery Kit includes:
The Explorer’s Guide to Geocaching Activity Book
Clear Ammo Can Container
Geocaching Logo Cinch Bag
Rock Geocache Container
Micro Geocache Container
Nano Geocache Container
Log Pencil
Small Logbook
Wooden Nickel
Geocaching Logo Patch
Geocaching Logo Bracelet
*Download of a free iPhone, Android or Windows Phone app required for outdoor geocaching.
When CarpeCrew and #36 set out in search of GC3CZ72, they weren’t expecting to find anything. The geocache was placed in February of 2012, on National Forest land just northwest of Colorado Springs. 13 finds and four months later, the Waldo Canyon Fire tore through the region. It was one of the most destructive fires in the state’s history. There was little to indicate that the geocache had survived—no finds, no DNFs, no comment from the geocache owner.
Two years later, a forest road near where the geocache was placed was reopened, and CarpeCrew and #36, saw their chance to explore the area, visit an old personal landmark, and perhaps find an EarthCache in honor of International EarthCache Day. When they saw that GC3CZ72 was supposed to be nearby, they took a chance and trotted toward where their phones were putting it.
A forest rising from the ashes.
And there it was…right on the spot. The charred and blackened ammo can was spotted and opened, though not without a bit of difficulty. The identifiable geocache inventory was as follows:
Charred remains of a logbook (visible in the photo)
Several key rings
Pens and pencils
A button that belonged to a local geocacher
A charred and pockmarked Travel Bug tag
The somewhat intact remains of GC3CZ72.
After a full treatment of sprite, baking soda, and vinegar, the Travel Bug’s tracking code was almost complete. It only took a few guesses as to what the last number could be, for the TB to reveal itself. CarpeCrew and #36 posted their story to the Geocaching Colorado – GCCO Facebook page, immediately generating dozens of comments from other geocachers.
The bug had originally been placed in a geocache in Colorado Springs in 2007. At the time, it contained the clues to a Mystery Cache in Colorado Springs. That Mystery Cache has since been archived, and the original owner of the TB doesn’t play much anymore.
CarpeCrew and #36 have yet to decide what they’re going to do with the trackable, but re-releasing it into a geocache nearby is definitely an option. So unless this was an elaborate experiment to test what type of trackable was the sturdiest, we think this was one lucky Travel Bug. Keep an eye out for it if you’re geocaching in Colorado in the next few weeks…and if you’re concerned about the fire safety of your trackable, a TB tag might be a good investment. 😉
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month Geocoin (sun flare optional)
You know you’re a geocacher if…
You talk to into your GPS as if it’s a cell phone when a muggle walks by…
The 1 Dollar/Euro store makes you happier than Disneyland…
You’ve been to a CITO event (Cache In, Trash Out), and…
You’ve been nominated for Geocacher of the Month!
This month, these three awesome people know for certain that they’re geocachers (in case they had any doubts before).
Here’s your opportunity to help decide who will take home the earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (at left). Each featured Geocacher of the Month will receive the exclusive special edition geocoin, a hat and profile icon. They’ll also receive a certificate acknowledging their contributions, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com.
Capt Biggins
Known as Capt Biggins, The Capt, or sometimes simply Bill, this geocacher is a great asset to the local geocachers of the Tampa Bay area. “First and foremost,” says geocacher oldrocknmetal, “Capt Biggins holds an annual Cache In, Trash Out (CITO) event on a mile of beach that he has adopted in Pinellas County. These CITOs are cherished by the residents and county personnel alike. In 2013, he even set up 31 events for the month of August so everyone had the opportunity to get all the souvenirs. Capt Biggins has a big heart too. He has created travel bugs in which all the proceeds go to a geocacher with MS. He has aso created a petition to try to bring the GPS Adventures Exhibit to the area. And of course, The Captain is a wealth of information for the geocaching world.Anything from hiding a cache to creating a cache page to hosting an event to locating a specific Geocoin, Bill is your go-to guy.”
Pudsemand og kone
Pudsemand & Kone, also known as Henrik and Tina, are “one-of-a-kind-cachers”, and not just because they attended the first geocaching Giga event this year. Geocacher hvidhoej says, they “are the most social, friendly, nice, caring, happy geocachers I’ve ever met. They arrange 3 to 4 events every year opening their private homes to up to 200 geocachers. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet other ‘cachers, to talk geocaching and have a nice time. And the events are always successful, with many new and interesting caches in all categories from kid friendly to D5/T5. If I am ever in need of a good geo-advice or in geo-trouble they are always there for me and others.”
DrJay
DrJay started geocaching in 2005 and is approaching an impressive 9500 finds, but the contribution he makes to his local geocaching community is even more impressive. According to geocacher firennice, “DrJay is one of those cachers who works as hard at caching, as he does at work. He has taken the reigns of our local geocaching organization and makes sure that we have had events every spring and fall for the last few years…dragging BBQ grills, and food to them all. He always takes the time to visit and answer questions with new cachers. Help them with ideas, and give them advice on what they can do to enjoy caching even more.
Comment below to tell us who you think should be the October Geocacher of the Month. Vote by October 31st.
If your nominee wasn’t recognized here, please submit your nominations again next month. We’re always looking for the next Geocacher of the Month. To nominate a geocacher,
If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, simply fill out this webform. You’ll need to include the following information:
Your name, the name of your nominee, their username
A picture of the nominee
Description (200 or more words) explaining why he or she deserves to be the Featured Geocacher of the Month
Please inform your nominee that you have submitted them for the award. Nominations for the next Featured Geocacher of the Month should be received by November 15th.Once Geocaching HQ has received the nominations, we will choose the top candidates and post them on the blog. You will then get a chance to champion your favorite. Our goal is to involve the entire geocaching community in this process so that we might learn from each other.
Before lunchtime geocaching, and after lunchtime geocaching
Ready, set, lunch break geocaching
by: Bri Suffety
You should remember one thing, your keyboard won’t miss you if you leave for lunch. It never does. If you don’t share that dry sandwich, and unfulfilling old piece of fruit with your keyboard, it’s going to be alright. In fact, it probably needs a break and so do you, enter: Geocaching.
School is back in session, the weather is still begging you to get outside and geocache.
Much like the recess bell, lunchtime at the office is a much anticipated moment of our day. However, all too often it gets pushed aside for meetings, workouts or altogether forgotten with a just you, a sandwich and your desk. Ready for something that might make you gasp? Why not take your lunch break back?
There’s a whole world to explore through geocaching
5 easy ways to shake up your midday break and earn a smiley along the way
Walk that Way. Pick a geocache within walking distance. Even if you come up empty you can still got to stretch your legs, get some fresh air and exercise a little DNF (Did Not Find) pride. Can you say win win situation?
Fun Run. Already grabbed all of the geocaches within walking distance? Need to squeeze in a workout in? Find a geocache you can run or bike to; you’ll have a reason to push yourself to go further or faster and you can’t forget the glorious reward of a new find. Look at you multitasking!
How far can you go? Want something a little more adventurous? See how far away from your office you can get. Jump on a bus and stare out the window as you travel into uncharted territory. Allot ⅔ of your break for travel time and ⅓ for finding the geocache and exploring. You might even discover a hidden park or your new favorite food cart.
Make a Date. Lunch can be a great time to catch up with friends or your significant other. Next time you’re looking to schedule a lunch date, pick a restaurant with a geocache nearby. You can grab it while you wait or use it as an excuse to walk off your lunch. Invite your date to help. Yes, even if they’re are a muggle; you never know who geocaches and who may be become your new caching partner.
Outsmart the weather. Weather isn’t cooperating? Use your time to savor your meal, create a space for yourself mentally and solve that puzzle cache that has been on your to-do list all summer.
The antidote to lunch at your desk
Set aside your excuses; a busy schedule doesn’t have to be a roadblock. You can spare at least one lunch break this month to go out, stretch your legs and up your geocaching game. Are you up for the challenge?
Do you have a lunchtime geocaching adventure to tell? Share your stories in the comments.
Everyone is doing the Travel Bug® 2-Step. Here’s how. It begins a bit like dropping your kid off at school for the first time. He may cry and stomp his feet, refuse to walk into the classroom, but in the end you know he’ll make it through just fine. Your Travel Bug is much the same. It might be difficult to part, but because you’ve taken the two key steps to ensuring his journey is successful you know you’ll see him again (online):
1. Seal the Travel Bug in a small plastic bag to prevent damage from moisture.
No matter how cute that little toy might once have been, if it’s icky now most people will take a pass. Nobody likes picking up a dirtied, smelly Travel Bug…queue the Ziploc. Some Travel Bugs are even sent off with provisions: sewing kits, an extra key chain, or superglue. You decide what goes in your Travel Bug’s luggage.
2. Include a note with a description of your Bug’s goal
Put yourself in the place of a first-time geocacher. You probably know slightly more about rocket science than about trackable etiquette. As a trackable owner, it’s difficult to fault a newbie for accidentally moving your Bug in the opposite direction it wants to go…but you can certainly prevent it! Make it clear that your Travel Bug wants to visit every country in Europe with a monarchy by writing this clearly on a note. Not only will this ensure that your TB isn’t accidentally brought to Fiji, it will also introduce new geocachers to the idea of Travel Bug goals, so they look out for them in the future.
Geocachers who do the Travel Bug Two-Step help create the beautiful global choreography that unfolds in this Travel Bug® Travels video.
