"X" Marks the Spot: Geocaching in Southwest Michigan

Searching for something to do this summer?

Technically, some people are searching harder than others. Very technically, indeed.

Geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunt, requires little more than a sense of adventure and a handheld GPS device. The pursuit of plunder began almost ten years ago, when the U.S. Military allowed public use of its satellites and global positioning system, or GPS. Originally coined as “gpsstashing” in 2000, the outdoor game involves searching for well-hidden geocaches at specific longitude and latitude coordinates.

The traditional geocache is a waterproof container that contains a log and pencil for visitors to record findings. Most caches also include small treasures, such as coins, books, CD’s or small toys that may be taken by the finder in exchange for another small treasure.

Hundreds of thousands of geocaches across the globe are registered online at major Web sites such as Geoaching.com, Navicache.com and TerraCaching.com. Each exploration requires finding a cache online, searching for the cache using a GPS device, exchanging treasures, and finally recording the experience both in the cache’s paper log and online. By registering with one of major geocaching sites, the stagnant searcher has access to fantastic finds located all across Southwest Michigan.

Some geocaches contain “travel bugs” or geocoins that are meant to travel from cache to cache. They usually come with a goal, such as to travel westward across the country or to visit ten continents. Their journeys may be recorded online for virtual tracking.

Geocaches vary in both size and complexity. The smallest geocache, a “microcache,” may be as tiny as film canister, and searches may be as simple as locating specific coordinates. More difficult searches may involve locating a cache that contains only clues or puzzles directing the tracker to the next location. Challenging caches may involve a complicated journey to a mountain peak, or discovering a stash hidden underwater or well above ground in a tree.

More than an opportunity to enjoy nature and explore the outdoors, geocaching provides an adventure that promotes family fun and engagement--everywhere. Maybe even as close as the back yard! With little potential to “strike it rich,” geocaching is the unique treasure hunt—where the hunt is more valuable than the treasure.