Geocaching
Geocaching (/ˈdʒiːoʊkæʃɪŋ/, JEE-oh-KASH-ing) is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called geocaches or caches, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. As of 2023, there are over 3 million active caches worldwide.
International Geocaching Logo | |
| Nicknames | Caching, treasure hunting |
|---|---|
| First played | May 3, 2000 Beavercreek, Oregon, U.S. |
| Characteristics | |
| Team members | Optional |
| Type | Recreational activity |
| Equipment | GPS receiver or GPS-enabled mobile device, writing implement |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
Geocaching can be considered a location-based game. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil. The geocacher signs the log with their established code name/username and dates it, in order to prove that they found the cache. After signing the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammo boxes can also contain items for trading, such as toys or trinkets, usually of more sentimental worth than financial. Geocaching shares many aspects with benchmarking, trigpointing, orienteering, treasure hunting, letterboxing, trail blazing, and Munzee.