Geocaching is all the rage these days. It’s all over social media, on TV, and there are even clubs for it. All across the United States, folks are catching geocaching fever. And Branson, Missouri, and the surrounding Ozarks areas, are no different. But what IS geocaching exactly? Who can participate? What are the rules and guidelines? And WHERE does geocaching take place? Read on for more information on Branson geocaching!
What Is Geocaching? Geocaching is referred to as ‘a real world treasure hunt.’ It takes place outdoors, and geocachers find a hidden container (the geocache) using a GPS enabled device (an app on a cell phone, or a real GPS). The geocache is hidden at a precise set of GPS coordinates. When geocaching participants find the cache after locating the GPS coordinates, they then enter their name and the date they found the cache in the logbook or logsheet inside the container. People can use the logbook to see how many other people have found the same cache, or how long ago! And that is not all – geocaches often have other items inside them too. Folks who have found the cache before you may have left any number of items for you to find – you never know what you’ll get!
What Are The Rules? Geocaching has few rules, but it makes the nation-wide treasure more fun for everybody when they are followed! Rule #1: If you remove an item from a geocache, leave something of equal or greater value behind (preferably in a plastic bag to protect it from the elements). Rule #2: Make sure you record your experience in the cache logbook. Rule #3: Log your geocaching experience at www.geocaching.com (This is the website you visit to get started on your geocaching adventure!)
What Do You Need? To get started geocaching, you’ll need a membership with geocaching.com, which is free, and a GPS or a GPS enabled mobile phone. Those are the basic necessities – but here are a few other items you might want to consider as well! Geocache locations are very diverse, and some are challenging to reach. You may want to consider wearing long pants, in case you need to hike through the woods, and bringing a sweatshirt or light jacket in case of rain or cooler temperatures. A backpack to carry water, snacks, and whatever goodies you intend to leave behind can be helpful as well!
Where Do You Start? You can start looking for geocaches anywhere you happen to be at – they are hidden all over the world! If you are a local person hoping to do some Branson geocaching, you are in luck – there are several caches hidden right in your backyard! Happy hunting!
