Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for Global Positioning System (GPS) users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the Internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache. There are over 500 caches within 25 miles of the Town of Minden!
Geocaching is a relatively new phenomenon. Therefore, the rules are very simple: take something from the cache, leave something in the cache, and write about it in the logbook. Where you place a cache is up to you.
A cache can come in many forms but the first item is usually a logbook. In its simplest form a cache can be just a logbook and nothing else. The logbook contains information from the founder of the cache and notes from the cache's visitors. The logbook can contain much valuable, rewarding, and entertaining information. A logbook might contain information about nearby attractions, coordinates to other unpublished caches, and even jokes written by visitors. If you get some information from a logbook you should give some back. At the very least you can leave the date and time you visited the cache.
Larger caches may consist of a waterproof plastic bucket placed tastefully within the local terrain. The bucket will contain the logbook and any number of more or less valuable items. These items turn the cache into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the founder or other visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, its only fair for you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc. It is recommended that items in a bucket cache be individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them. The location of a cache demonstrates the founder's skill and possibly even daring. A cache located on the side of a rocky cliff accessible only by rock climbing equipment may be hard to find. Other caches may require long difficult hiking, orienteering, and special equipment to get to. Caches may be located both above and below ground, inside and outside buildings. The skillful placement of a small logbook may be quite challenging to find even with the accuracy of a GPS. The logbook may have money in it or a map to greater treasure. It could even contain clues or riddles to solve that may lead to other caches. Just hope that the person that found the cache just before you left a real big prize!