Hunting for treasure isn’t just for pirates anymore! With your smartphone as a map, geocaching will to take you to a hidden treasure you never knew existed.
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game that uses a GPS-enabled device… Like your smart phone! It’s an any day, any time adventure, that can take you to amazing and beautiful places, or even just a place in your town that you’ve never been before.
How do I play?
Step 1: Download the free app on your phone
Step 2: Register for a free, basic membership
Step 3: Pick one of the dots that show up on the map
Step 4: Navigate your way there!
Step 5: Once you are at the location, look around! The geocache (also known as “cache”) could be hidden under a bush, hanging from a tree, under some rocks, etc.
Step 6: Once you find it, write in the log book on the cache saying you were there
Step 7: Log it on the app by clicking “found it!”
What’s usually in a geocache?
Small caches always contain a logbook or logsheet for you to log your find. Larger caches may contain a logbook and any number of items. You never know what the cache owner or visitors to the cache have left for you to enjoy.
What are the rules?
If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value
Write about your find in the log book
Put it back EXACTLY where you found it
Where are geocaches located?
All over the world! There’s over 2 million caches worldwide. Usually geocache hiders put their caches in locations that are important to them, or where they think would be a clever spot. These locations can be quite diverse. They may be at a local park, along the path of a hike, on the side of a city street, or even underwater!
What types of caches are there?
There are currently over a dozen types of caches, from super tiny to pretty big. There’s even multi-caches and mystery or puzzle caches. You can read about all the different types of caches here!
There are hundreds of geocaches all around Thousand Oaks! So the next time you have some time to kill while running errands or are out on a hike, open the app and see what treasures could be right under your nose!
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find the cache you’re looking for right away. Some are cleverly hidden and take a little extra thought and time to find, so don’t give up too easily!
Hint to get you started: There MAY be a geocache up by the CLU Cross ;) Happy hunting!