Let me start by saying I am not writing this blog with any kind of expert background. I have done this once. Yes once. But i think its fantastic and wanted to share it with you all.
I am part of the Nurture Nature – Lets go play outside facebook group run by Claire Bones (of Lady Bird Adventures) and Jemma Louise (of Thimble and Twig). They have created a #12familyadventures challenge for this year and February is Go Geocaching.
I wasn’t sure i would join in with this month but when i was looking for something free to to do with Neive yesterday I decided to downloaded an app to see what the deal was. I could not believe how many hidden boxes, sorry, caches there are around where i live. Tons.
The app i got is called Geocaching and it’s free in it’s basic form, and that is all I would need doing this with Neive as some fun. I then searched Geocaching rules and had a read of this site. I’m glad i did.
And then I looked up Geocaching terms and had a read of this site.
Next we just went for a walk.
It’s a walk down the canal that I have done hundreds of times but this time were had a mission. The app told me the location, gave me a hint on what to look for (if i wanted the hint) and what size it was.
I knew from reading the posts linked above that some larger (not micro) caches have geo-swag inside and you can take one of these swag items out if you put something back in. I let Neive know that if she found something she wanted to take home she would need to leave the conker spider we had made and i had taken with me as swag swapies. She was fine with that and wanted to take home a little paper flag from the box. I wanted the girl guide badge but never mind 🙂
I didn’t take a pen with me though so could not write in the log that we had found the cache and made swap. Like i said this is my first time. Hint to you, take a pen or pencil.
What a great reason to get out for a walk. We are planning on doing this with friends of ours again soon as they have tons around them as well in a park we really like. 4 adults, three kids and dog. What could go wrong.
Have you done Geocaching and what do you think? Any tips?
Ellie xx
I’m so glad we inspired you to try geocaching. We’ve only been once two. Your trip sounds lovely. I hope you have many more fun adventures
I’m so pleased you did! Great idea, thank you for the inspiration. x
Welcome to this amazing world of Geocaching. I am the editor of the Uk’s dedicacted geocaching magazine and a not for profit business to help people get started and to get the most out of geocaching.
Let me know if there is ANYTHING I can help you with.
Cheers,
Adam
Lovely to hear from you Adam, good to have someone to go to with questions! Ellie