You have your GPS and you are ready to start geocaching with your kids. You go to Geocaching.com and realize that there are 500000 caches to choose from. Where to begin??? Here are three tips for starting out on the right foot.
Make the First One Easy
My brother in law is the master of teaching children to fish. He takes them to a fishing hole that is loaded with trout and guarantees a catch within five minutes of casting. In doing this, he gives them the opportunity to be successful right away. This builds confidence and a desire to learn more.
Geocaching is no different. If you start with a cache that is too difficult and set the bar too high you create an opportunity for frustration. Save the hard caches for later. For the first cache select one with a low difficulty (1.5 or less) and easy accessible terrain (less than 2).
The low difficulty and terrain will provide an obtainable entry level goal. As an added bonus, large caches usually accumulate larger toys. This creates an opportunity for celebration when you achieve your goal and sets the stage for bigger challenges.
Teach Them to Trade Fair
Before you get to that first cache, have a discussion about trading items of equal value. In our experience, kids are tycoons by nature and trading a three cent trinket for a five dollar pack of AA batteries is an irresistible bargain. Make sure that you establish the like-for-like rules before you find the first cache.
Explain Travelbugs and Geocoins
Travelbugs and Geocoins are trackable items that move from cache to cache in order to achieve a specific goal. The owner of a trackable item will set the goal (circumnavigate the globe, go to ball parks, visit golf courses, etc.) For an example on Geocaching.com, click here.
With kids, you need to explain the concept that trackable items need to be given back before you actually find one. Trackable items are usually the biggest, shiniest, most desirable items you will find in a cache and you don't want to have to break the news that you can't keep them upon discovery.
If you follow these three tips, you'll be fine. Cache on.
More:
The Joy of Geocaching
Adventures of the Ohio State Buckeye Ball
An Interview with Michael Jacobus, Publisher of Geocaching Magazine