Four eyes see more geocaches than two. Many hands fumbling under benches, in nooks, and crevices are more likely to make the grab. A difficult puzzle is solved more easily with combined brain power. If you took our Geocaching Quiz and learned you are a Social Butterfly, chances are that you know the advantages that come with geocaching in a group.
But finding someone to go geocaching with can sometimes be difficult, especially when just starting out. Luckily, there are geocaching organizations and associations all around that world that connect geocachers to other local geocachers, strengthen the local and global geocaching community, help beginners get into the game, and so, so much more.
Never be embarrassed again when asked if you put the fork on the right side of the geocache or the left. Become a geocaching etiquette champion after watching this quick, fun Geocaching Etiquette video. You’ll develop good trading habits, learn all about trackables, what to do around muggles and more. Watching the video is a great way to add a new confidence and joy to your geocaching adventure in just two minutes.
To help those new to geocaching, share your etiquette tips below in comments or on the Geocaching Facebook page.
One of the first rules of geocaching involves the matchbox cars, the bouncy balls and the lady bug erasers staring up at you from the bottom of the geocache. That’s geocaching SWAG – or Stuff We All Get. Geocachers trade swag by replacing items in the geocache with something of equal or greater value.
Now you can spread geocaching joy by leaving a trail of customized, do-it-yourself swag in geocaches. Geocachers often leave signature items in each geocache they find. The customswag might be a signed playing card, a crocheted finger puppet, identical erasers or __________ (insert your amazing idea here). Each piece is a sign to other geocachers that you visited the geocache. It’s a great way to build community. Leave a recognizable piece of swag and you will become known by yourswag. Think of it, you could be “Origami Guy” or “Ladybug Lady” or ___________ (‘Insert your amazing idea’ Person”).
Share your ideas for personalized geocaching swag below in comments or on the Geocaching Facebook page.
1,000 geocachers volunteered to be part of the first ever major study of geocaching and its effect on health. The 14-month Texas A&M study called Geocaching for Exercise and Activity Research (GEAR) launched in January of 2013. The first set of results from the study were presented on November 5 at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Boston.
Each of the participants were given devices to track their movement and a logbook to record their level of geocaching intensity. The first results showed the effects of regular geocaching. Researcher Whitney says, “The GEAR study has identified an association between geocaching and improved health.”
Another researcher, Garney, goes on to say, “GEAR participants who report geocaching once a week or more are more likely to meet national guidelines for physical activity and are more likely to report good or very good health status compared to those who geocache less frequently.” In addition, research showed that geocachers reported fewer days of poor physical and mental health compared to state level data.
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These findings are still preliminary, but nevertheless we’re excited about them. The study concludes in early 2014 and final data will be analyzed and presented later that year.
The health benefits of geocaching are often the subject of emails to Geocaching HQ. Have you lost weight geocaching or sharpened your mental skills? Share your stories about improving your health through geocaching in the comments below.
Four eyes see more geocaches than two. Many hands fumbling under benches, in nooks, and crevices are more likely to make the grab. A difficult puzzle is solved more easily with combined brain power. If you took our Geocaching Quiz and learned you are a Social Butterfly, chances are that you know the advantages that come with geocaching in a group.
