Walks
Introducing … Geocaching
GEOCACHING is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. It is a great way of exploring new and familiar places and in an exciting way. There are thousands of caches across Kent, and finding them can make a day out in the countryside more fun with all members of the family.
How does it work? Players hide caches, which are usually waterproof boxes filled with inexpensive treasures and a logbook. The player then publishes the GPS coordinates of the cache on
www.geocaching.com for others to view. Other players can search this website for caches nearby and use these coordinates and any clues provided to locate the hidden treasure. Once you find a cache you can fill in the logbook to record
your find. If there are treasures in the box you can also swap an item for something else. You may also find items with a unique code that you use to
track its location online. If you take a ‘trackable’ treasure you should hide it in another geocache and register the new location so that both you and the owner can then watch its journey.
What do I need to take part? You can download free or low cost geocaching apps to most smartphones equipped with GPS. Many manufacturers make dedicated GPS devices for outdoor pursuits and you can use these if you already have one.
Caches are everywhere
Maidstone ‘This cache is a 35mm magnetic film canister forming part of a group of caches. The cache overlooks Allington Lock.’
Faversham ‘Magnetic 35mm film cannister. A quick cache and dash from the nearby car park, train station or local convenience store. Please bring your own pen. ‘The cache is located near The Queen's Hall, in Forbes Road. The Queen's Hall (above)was built as a parish hall for the parish of St Mary of Charity in 1903 and named in honour of Queen Victoria, who had died in 1901.’
Harrietsham, near Maidstone ‘Located on a woodland walk, close to the Harrietsham Pilgrim. The cache is a click-top tupperware box. Inside there is a logbook, pencil and some foreign money.’
22 Mid Kent Living
What are the rules of geocaching? 1. If you take something from the geocache (or "cache"), leave something of equal or greater value.
2. Write about your find in the cache logbook. 3. Log your experience at
www.geocaching.com.
Where can I try it? Pretty much anywhere. Just type in a postcode on
www.geocaching.com and a list of nearby caches will appear. Explore Kent, which is affiliated to KCC, also has a list. Go to
www.kent.gov.uk/geocaching for more information. All you need to try geocaching is a handheld GPS receiver and a sense of adventure.
How is it played?
Register for a free Basic Membership at
www.geocaching.com.
2. Visit the "Hide & Seek a Cache" page or view Explore Kent caches.
3. Enter your postal code and click "search."
4. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
5. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
6. Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
7. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
8. Share your geocaching stories and photos online.
St Paul’s Church, Hook Green, Meopham ‘St Paul's Roman Catholic Church is a relatively new church. ‘The coordinates will take you to a stone. You are after the year that the stone was laid (An Olympic year). Year = ABCD.’
High Halden, near Tenterden ‘This is a micro placed on the edge of a wood that is full of bluebells in the spring and overlooking our great English rolling countryside. ‘There is a bench close by where you can rest and fill in the log book and take in this beautiful view towards the church at High Halden.’
Clues taken from
www.geocaching.com
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