Geocaching arrives at GA State Parks

Looking for a fun outdoor activity this summer? Take your family on a statewide treasure hunt!

With the new Georgia State Parks’ Geo-Challenge you can search for hidden treasures in 42 Georgia state parks. All you need is a hand-held GPS device!

Geocaching is an outdoor adventure game similar to a treasure hunt. Simply download the GPS coordinates at www.Geocaching.com, then locate the hidden boxes (called geocaches) with the help of your GPS unit.

The cache containers are sealed in ammo boxes labeled as a Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Geocache. They usually contain trinkets you can keep–just be sure to replace them with something else. You may even find one of 58 Traveling Gophers–a travel bug that moves around the country. If you find one, help it get to a new destination.

How the game works:

It’s simple! First, pick up a Georgia State Parks Geo-Challenge PassPort at any state park or download it and the grid sheet by clicking here.

Next, go to www.Geocaching.com to find the GPS coordinates for each hidden box.

When you find a Geo-Challenge cache, log your name and any comments on the logbook inside the cache and stamp your PassPort grid sheet with the unique stamp for that specific park.

Be sure to share your experiences online!

Geo-Coins and Bonus Caches

Complete specific numbers of caches to earn three custom geo-coins. Once you complete the caches for each coin level you are eligible for that level bonus cache. The bonus caches are a bit more challenging.

Info: GaParksGeocaching.com

New Geocaching Challenge Brings Treasure Hunters to Georgia’s State Parks

ATLANTA, April 20, 2010 — More than 40 of Georgia’s state parks will soon join one of the largest treasure hunts on the planet. With the May 8 launch of the Georgia State Parks Geo-Challenge, the park system is inviting GPS-toting explorers to travel trails in search of hidden caches. Geocaching is thought to be one of the most popular games in the world, with more than 1 million caches registered on www.Geocaching.com.

The premise is fairly simple; adventure seekers use a GPS unit to find hidden treasures, then share their experiences online. Caches usually contain trinkets that geocachers can keep, replacing them with something else. Some trackable items, called travel bugs, make their way across the country and create a story as they go.

With the new Georgia State Park Geo-Challenge, players download a PassPort from www.GeorgiaStateParks.org, find hidden stamps in each cache to spell out the PassPort’s message, and collect custom geocoins.

“Geocaching can be enjoyed by all ages and is a creative way to explore your own state, and even the world,” said Georgia State Parks Director Becky Kelley. “The game is a fun excuse to get outdoors, and it introduces a whole new group of visitors to our state parks.”

Forty-two state parks have hidden caches with “first to find” prizes of a free night of camping. Three parks also have more elusive “bonus caches.” Players go to www.Geocaching.com to find the GPS coordinates for each hidden box. After their journey, players can talk about the parks and what they found.

Park officials see geocaching as the perfect blend of technology, trees and trails. The Geo-Challenge is crafted for younger players as a way to encourage them to get more exercise outdoors. Caches are hidden in public-access areas, so treasure hunters will not venture off trails or into remote locations.

“Anyone interested in geocaching is invited to the kickoff event,” said Kelley. “Experienced geocachers will help newcomers learn about GPS units and the more social aspects of the game. We’ll have extra caches hidden just for this event, plus animal programs and refreshments.”

Source: Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Geocaching at Fort Benning

Fort Benning Outdoor Recreation
presents

Geocaching at Uchee Creek

Saturday, Feb 27 @ 9 a.m. – Noon

Can you follow map directions? Do you have a GPS device? Here’s a fun outdoor activity to do with your kids. Come on out to Uchee Creek and try your hand at geocaching. We will place caches throughout the campground and marina for you to find with a GPS. Beginners and experts alike are invited. This event is open to all abilities and is family friendly. We will have GPS’s on site for you to use if you do not have your own. FREE!

Location:
Uchee Creek Campground and Marina, Fort Benning

Info: 706-545-7978

Geocaching with Kids

Can you follow map directions? Do you have a GPS device? Here’s a fun outdoor activity to do with your kids. Take them geocaching!

Geocaching is a “high-tech” treasure hunting game enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. The idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS technology and then share your experiences online.

The Rules: 

1. If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value. 
2. Write about your find in the cache logbook.
3. Log your experiences at www.geocaching.com.

 

Tips for Geocaching with Kids: 

Select the cache carefully. Read the cache description to get an idea of what you’re looking for or do a search for a cache using the key words “kids”, “children” or “family”. Callaway Gardens, for example, has a number of caches. For a complete list, go to www.geocaching.com and search on ZIP code 31822. All of the caches within the Gardens begin with the pre-fix “Callaway Gardens.”

Check the comments by other geocachers before you go. See if there are any unusual things near the site such as rough terrain, poison ivy, snakes, mud or heavy underbrush growth. 

Be prepared. Bring a little first aid kit with band aids, Neosporin and other common necessities for cuts and scrapes. Take plenty of water and snacks. You’ll also want a pen or marker to write with, some stickers or trinkets to leave in a larger cache, a notebook and any other necessities your family may need. 

On the Net:  

http://eduscapes.com/geocaching/kids.htm

http://www.geocachingkids.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching