GEOCACHING

Basically, geocaching is a high-tech version of hideand- seek. Geocachers seek out hidden treasures utilising GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache. Using a GPS unit (which can be bought for as little as £90 and used time and time again) you then trek out into the backwoods or urban jungles to find the hiding spot of the cache. Once discovered, geocachers follow a simple set of rules:

-Fill out the logbook.

-Take something out (people hide CDs, small toys, disposable cameras etc.)

-Put something back in.

-Return the cache, in the condition in which it was found, to the exact position it was found.

It can be as simple as walking to an open area at a local park or as difficult as searching for multiple locations to find the final prize. Some caches have even been planted on mountainsides or under water! It’s growing and evolving as a new gaming activity every day.

Charles Newgas of Finger Technology explains its popularity: ‘Parents have discovered that it’s good fun and it gets you into the fresh air and away from the computer screen.’ Geocaching is a gaming activity that appeals to a wide range of people. Young and old are getting involved. Families, gaming clubs, civic organisations and school groups are heading outdoors in search of hidden treasure.

Geocaching can be a great day out where you’ll all get lots of exercise because sometimes getting to the caches involves quite a hike. Remarkably, because of the high-tech element, even previously lethargic teenagers are keen to be involved in a high-tech treasure hunt.

Geocaching started on 3 May 2000. By the end of June 2006 there were:

-281,971 active caches hidden worldwide in total

-222 countries with geocaches placed

-11,679 active caches hidden in the UK alone

-180,010 ‘finds’ logged in the UK during one week in June 2006.