Geocaching was designed to literally connect people.
In modern times, people are more connected than ever. There is social media allowing people to keep tabs on each other when they’re thousands of miles away. Texting allows for quick conversations to take place at a faster pace than email. Phone calls can audibly bring people into the same room, even though they are across the country from each other.
The internet is so cool in the way it can connect people.
But in the time of electronic connection, many people have lost the art of face to face communication.
The level of communication electronically has done some amazing things to advance society, but ultimate innovation comes when multiple people unite physically as well as electronically.
This is where geocaching comes in so handy in the advancement of society.
What is Geocaching
Wikipedia describes geocaching as “an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System 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.”
That means you can download the free app, create a free profile, and then find caches.
Geocaching is sometimes described as a modern-day treasure hunting.
Treasure hunting has kind of died off because satellites help give us aerial views of the earth, making there not really be a need to have treasure hunters in the classic sense.
But there is a need in the human spirit to explore, so using GPS allows for geocaching to be a fun sport that gets people to go out in the wilderness together to find caches of various sizes, hidden by fellow geocaching participants.
The goal of geocaching is to provide an experience that brings people together outdoors to build friendships and have fun.
Bonding for Generations
I’m sure you’re probably wondering how this could possibly connect generations, but I’ve got a few examples to show this.
First off, it’s a perfect father son activity. Geocaching is a great activity to connect parents to their kids.
It’s so secret how important parents are in the lives of their children. Whether literally providing sustenance, or providing the psychological support needed for a child to grow up and prosper, parents are important.
In fact, a recent report shows that 26 of the last 27 mass shootings have been done by people from a household without a dad.
That just makes it all the more important for dads to connect with their children. A great way to do that is through geocaching.
When you’re geocaching, you will be outside as well. There are studies suggesting being in nature raises your happiness. Couple that with hanging out with your child, or even just a friend, and you are guaranteed a good time.
Many lessons can be passed down while exploring outside as well. There will be times of persistence, there will be times of frustration, and times of being safe.
Not only that, there will be a lot of walking, which is great for your health, but also it gives a lot of idle time to talk.
You will be able to pass on stories about yourself, your parents, and their parents as well. The opportunity to discuss important issues, such as politics and philosophies, will come up because children are curious.
There seems like there is an innate desire to know our parents and the lineage above them even. It helps connect humanity and really ground us in reality and history.
Couple geocaching with one of the many DNA tests that show your lineage, and it would make for a great adventure to connect parents and children with their ancestry.
Searching for geocaches will also build a desire to seek and find.
This will carry a person incredibly far in life. You hear people saying it all the time in inspirational talks, curiosity is what drives innovation. So, promoting this in the life of your child really just sets them up to be great in the future.
My Experience Geocaching
I never did geocaching while growing up, but I grew up in a pretty good-sized family of 6. I had an older brother though. That meant we always got into crazy shenanigans out in the woods, exploring and pretending we were making crazing discoveries.
I didn’t start actually geocaching until earlier this month. My first ever trip, I went with my friend’s dog.
My wife and our mutual friend went to an outdoor yoga event, so I took her dog, Sadie, and went on a little geocaching adventure.
This isn’t because I think yoga is dumb, in fact, I love yoga and recommend everyone do it because there is a lot of value in the flexibility and the mental health benefits of exercise and meditation.
I just didn’t want the dog bothering everybody because she is extremely high energy, and I’ve been wanting to do some geocaching anyway.
We found a pretty easy Geocache, but it was incredible. Because I was with a dog, I had podcasts in one ear. I got to listen to my philosophical and political podcasts while walking the trails. It was a blast.
The dog also didn’t really care for me before this, but once Sadie found out I would take her on walks and runs, she became my best friend.
It’s kind of silly, but there is just something amazing about the love of an animal. Plus, Sadie is a pretty large dog, so it really helps build the sense of safety.
After this one experience, I decided to take the momentum and run with it.
I did not literally run because I don’t like running that much, but I did go on a few more geocaching adventures.
I am a flight attendant in another life, so I’m traveling all the time. I now have a new hobby when I’m out on trips to go geocaching.
Like I said with parents, this promotes that I get to know my crew, if they decided to come along that is. We build comradery and get to have some deeper conversations while exploring the area.
Just remember to download the app and go have fun.
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