{"id":143988,"date":"2024-11-25T09:35:28","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T17:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/?p=143988"},"modified":"2024-12-03T08:54:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T16:54:05","slug":"what-makes-geocaching-so-special-an-interview-from-seemyshell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/what-makes-geocaching-so-special-an-interview-from-seemyshell\/","title":{"rendered":"What makes geocaching so special? An interview from Seemyshell"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet Craig, also known as Seemyshell<\/a> in the geocaching community. You may know him from his friendly and outgoing social media presence. With a passion for filmmaking, he is a multi-time finalist for the Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Get to know Seemyshell, from hearing his geocaching origin story to some of his favorite geocaching memories. Let’s get into this heartfelt interview and learn why this game is so special to him.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Geocaching HQ: What\u2019s your background outside of geocaching? Tell us a little bit about yourself!<\/strong><\/p>\n

G’day, I’m a retired police officer of 23 years in Australia; I am also involved in the arts, in filmmaking and acting, for the past 20 years. I am 49 years old and currently living in New Jersey. I moved here 3 years ago after meeting my now wife the day after the GeoWoodstock Giga-Event in Cincinnati. (Yes, she is a geocacher too and has more finds than me)<\/p>\n

Geocaching HQ: How and when did you hear about geocaching?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in January 2014, I had been going through mental health issues from work and a marriage breakdown, and I only saw my two children every two weeks for the weekend. A friend of mine spoke about this hobby; I downloaded the app, found my first geocache, and was hooked.<\/p>\n

I introduced my kids (10yr\/8yr) to it that weekend, and we spent many a weekend after that geocaching. It was a great way to get outside and enjoy time with my children. At the same time, I used it when I was alone as an escape from my mental health trauma and troubles that occurred on a daily basis. Since then, I have had another struggling time with PTSD and again used geocaching as a crutch to help me get through the dark times. This is where my latest GIFF entry was derived from.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Geocaching HQ: What\u2019s the story behind your unique geocaching username? <\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a nickname I got back in my early school days. A substitute teacher did a role call, and due to my name being Craig Michell (C.Michell), the teacher called out \u201cSeemyshell<\/a>\u201d and the class laughed, so it stuck after that.<\/p>\n

Geocaching HQ: When did you start documenting your geocache finds on social media? What\u2019s your favorite part of sharing your adventures online?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Within weeks after starting geocaching, my children would watch and research geocaching videos from Joshua, The Geocaching Vlogger<\/a>, and GeoPat92<\/a>. One day, they asked me if they could do videos like them. Due to my interest in film, etc, I encouraged it, and they developed my now ‘Brand’ and catchphrase “Woo hoo hoo,” etc. Early on, documenting the fun was a great way to keep memories alive; I often look back on those videos and remember the fun times I had with my children through geocaching.<\/p>\n

Now, I enjoy the connections it creates with other like-minded people all over the world. I have become friends with so many new people, of which I would have never met without geocaching. Who knew that 10 years ago, my son watching The Geocaching Vlogger and me hearing his voice from the living room in Australia would turn into hosting the Treasures of our Town Podcast<\/a> with him and even recording episodes live at the last two GeoWoodstock Mega-Events.<\/p>\n

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Geocaching on Route 66.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Geocaching HQ: How and where can people find you and your geocaching content?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m on all social media, just search Seemyshell:<\/p>\n

TikTok: @seemyshell<\/a>
\nInstagram: aussie_geocacher_seemyshell<\/a>
\nYouTube: @TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell<\/a>
\nFacebook: theaussiegeocacherseemyshell<\/a>
\nX: @Seemyshell<\/a><\/p>\n

You can also listen to myself and Joshua, The Geocaching Vlogger, on our Treasures of our Town Podcast<\/a>. I co-host The Geocaching Podcast<\/a> with Scott Berks and Chad Courtney. I’m a creator\/editor of The Geocaching Downunder Podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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@seemyshell<\/a> This Geocache looks like a real bolt. #geocaching<\/a> #geocache<\/a> #geocash<\/a> #findingmoney<\/a> \u266c how would they know bad girls club – Father Mary<\/a><\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n