Richard's Runaway
Geocaching
Geocaching With Jeeps
A high-tech treasure hunt with Jeeps the Squirrel 
Hi there! My name is Jeeps and I've been asked to tell you about Geocaching. Why me? We squirrels practically invented the idea of caching, or hiding, treasure. Of course, for us the treasure is food, but for people it could be just about anything.
What is Geocaching?
Basically, someone hides a box of treasure and other people try to find it.
How do you know where to look?
That's where the "high-tech" comes in. You use something called the Global Positioning System, or GPS, to figure out the location. A hand-held unit talks to satellites to figure out where it is and how to get where you want to go. The locations, called "coordinates", of the geocaches are listed on the internet: www.geocaching.com
Where do I get a GPS unit?
Most places that sell sporting goods or camping supplies sell them. Prices start at around a hundred dollars. It sounds like a lot, but think of how much it costs to take your family to a movie.
Okay. I've got a GPS. Now what?
Start by reading your owner's manual. That will tell you how to use your unit. Then go to the geocaching website to get the coordinates of a cache that you'd like to find. It's best to start with a cache that's close to home, in an area that you're familiar with. You could also ask an experienced cacher to recommend a good cache to start with. Now go to the general area of the cache location.
I'm sitting in the parking lot of my favorite park and my GPS say that the cache is .18 miles that way. Now what?
Most geocaches are in wooded parks with marked trails. Stay on the trails as much as you can. When you do leave the trail, walk gently. You're just walking through the woods, not building a road. Usually the trail will take you to within a couple hundred feet of the cache. When you're within a hundred feet of the cache, start looking ahead for hiding places. Under logs, in hollow trees, behind rocks. The cache will not be buried underground, but it might have sticks and leaves piled on top to disguise it.
My GPS says that I'm right on top of the cache, but I can't find it. What did I do wrong?
Probably nothing. You're fine. Normally, the GPS is only accurate to about twenty feet. At it's best about six feet. The accuracy can be thrown off by cloud cover, tree leaves, ridges, lots of things. In most cases your GPS will say that you are within about twenty-five feet when you find the cache. In extreme cases, you may be sixty feet away when you find it. Keep looking!
I found it! I found it! Now what am I supposed to do with it?
Congratulations!
In the cache you'll find a logbook and some trinkets. Sign the logbook with the date, your name or user-name, and any comments you'd like to make. You may take one of the trinkets, but you have to leave one in its place. When you're finished, put the container back where you found it for the next person.
What's a user-name?
Geocaching.com will keep track of the caches you've found. Having a user-name helps protect your privacy while using the website.
What should I put in the cache?
Okay, maybe acorns aren't what you would consider to be treasure, but you're probably not a squirrel. It's always a bad idea to put food in a geocache. Animals will destroy the cache to get at the food inside. Other things that have no place in the cache include: explosives, drugs, alcohol, weapons. Keep in mind that geocaching is a family activity. Small toys and knick-knacks seem to be the most popular items.
Is there anything else I should know?
"Cache in, trash out." Pick up any litter that you see on the trail on your way out. Leave the area nicer than you found it. Some cachers carry a plastic grocery bag with them for that reason.
There are also micro-caches, multi-caches, virtual caches, travel bugs, and that's just the beginning.
For mor information go to: www.geocaching.com
