Geocaching: The world's largest treasure hunt!

ge·o·cach·ing /ˈjēōˌkaSHiNG/ noun: geocaching. The recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website. Origin: early 21st century: from geo- + cache.

It's the world's largest treasure hunt! If you want to teach your kids (or your friends) how to read a map, pay attention to details, and think differently, the international game of Geocaching is a great way to do just that.

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) 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. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil. The geocacher signs the log with their established code name and dates it, in order to prove that they found the cache. After signing the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammunition boxes can also contain items for trading, such as toys or trinkets, usually of more sentimental worth than financial.

Before GPS, teams used to set up treasure-hunting courses for each other using actual topographical maps and compasses, finding clues along the way. In fact, Geocaching shares many aspects with benchmarking, trigpointing, orienteering, treasure-hunting, and letterboxing (the closest thing to Geocaching from 1854 until the invention of GPS in 2000).

So, how do you do it? Easy! Just download the Geocaching app and create a free profile with an avatar and a codename (because Geocachers are sneaky that way) and you're on your way to finding hidden treasure. There are over 4,600 geocaches in and around Los Angeles. Take a look at the map and find a cache close to you. Walk/drive/bike to the location and start looking. Use your mind and look for something that seems out of place; look high and low, check the hint, and be persistent. Sometimes the hiding place is in plain site and sometimes they are diabolical. In either case, bring a pen and a pocket knife - these items can come in handy when retrieving the cache and signing the log.

Every time you find one, you can log it on the app and get a smiley face. If nothing else, the game just makes you smile. What's also great is you can meet up with other Geocachers at local events, message each other if you're stuck, and collect badges/souvenirs that reflect the different states and countries that you visit and hunt in. We have friends who have found caches in places like the Czech Republic, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Argentina, just to name a few.

What is also great about this invisible game is that it gives you a side-quest that you can tack on to a trip to the doctor or dentist, adding a fun activity to a not-so-fun activity. Going to UCLA Medical Center? There's a Geocache at Parking Structure 8! Also, you can pile fun on more fun: most parks in LA have caches in and around them. For example, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center has 7 caches in and around it.

Once you start finding caches, you might think about hiding your own. One of our staff has one hidden at Helms Bakery, not far from Pasta Sisters. Want to know more about this great game? Visit https://www.geocaching.com/play to find out more. But really, just download the app and jump in. Our only caution is that it is addictive!