by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
Geocachers from across the state spent a few days traveling around Jackson County following clues and finding the secret locations and meeting in the evenings to discuss the Geocaching events around the State of Iowa. Many groups found their way to the Preston Public Library and the Iowa Geocache Organization’s president enjoyed his stop in the library. He stated that libraries are very popular sites for geocache clues or locations.
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor adventure that is happening all the time, all around the world. To play, participants use the Geocaching app and/or a GPS device to navigate to cleverly hidden containers called geocaches. There are millions of geocaches in 190 countries waiting to be discovered—there are probably even some near you right now. Geocaching started in early 2000. When the website launched, only 75 geocaches had been hidden. Today, there are over 3 million geocaches and millions of active geocachers playing the game. Geocaches come in all different shapes, sizes, and difficulties and are hidden in both rural and urban settings. Geocaching offers something for everyone, from families with children to retirees. Some geocachers play the game to see how many total “finds” they can get, while others play to see how many new states or countries they can visit. Geocaching is a great way to find remarkable destinations that you would not have otherwise discovered. It is also an excellent education tool and an excuse to get off the couch.
Go play. To get started, create a free basic account and use Geocaching.com or the free Geocaching® app to search for geocaches near your location. Whether you are off to find your first geocache or your ten-thousandth, the Geocaching® app is your ultimate geocaching toolbox. Once you find a geocache, open it up and sign the logbook. You may discover some trade or swag items (small toys, keychains, trinkets) inside the geocache. The general rule of thumb is if you take something, leave something of equal or greater value. Then, place the container back exactly how you found it and share your experience online with the rest of the geocaching community.
This group of searchers was from Marion/Cedar Rapids, Ames and Des Moines and other groups that stopped in were from Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, and other smaller communities.
The geocache was found and the group officially signed the booklet inside it before placing it back in its correct location for the next individual or group to find.
