Today's post is brought to you by..... geocaching.
What is geocaching you may ask?
Well let me tell you.
If you own a GPS and you like to get out and explore than this is the thing for you. It is great for all ages, but kids seem to love it the best. (at least ours do.)
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container (usually a Tupperware or ammo box) containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value. If you bring something to put in the box, then your kids can take something out to keep. This is the highlight for all our kids. We also made up code names because most caches have a small notebook to record who you are and when you found it. It is neat to go back and read everyone that had been there before.
Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica. There are over 820,000 active geocaches in the world right now. They can be anywhere from the parking lot of your local grocery store to the very tip top of a mountain that takes a 10 mile hike to get to. They are ranked from easiest to hardest in both terrain to get to the cache as well as how well it is hidden. With our kids, we usually stick to the easy ones and there are tons of easy ones out there. It is a great family thing.
If you want to check it out, go to this website and click on the getting started link on the left. It will walk you through what to do from there. You do have to register, but it is free and super easy.
This is how we spent our 4th of July and had a total blast. I love getting out and exploring with my family and geocaches help you find things you never knew were there. If you ever want someone to go with you, you know who to call!