Geocaching is a great activity you can do almost anywhere in the world, and the app is free if you use a smartphone.
We were introduced to geocaching shortly after we PCSed to Germany. For those who are unfamiliar, geocaching is a real-world treasure hunting game that uses a smartphone or a hand-held GPS to find a hidden container, called a geocache (gee-oh-cash). When you find the geocache you then sign the logbook and return the container to its place. There are several different types of geocaches, and some require puzzle work to be done in the field or before you leave your house. Geocaching is free and you can create your account here.
Our time in Europe was amazing, and geocaching played a huge part in that. Here are the seven ways it helped us stay active and connected to each other and the local community while living overseas.
1. IT BOLSTERED OUR RESILIENCY
Following the frustrations and stress that come with an overseas move and daily life in a new country, geocaching helped decrease our stress and added a new type of adventure and fun to our lives. Being in nature can improve your mood and reset your outlook, allowing you to bounce back more quickly.
2. IT IMPROVED OUR HEALTH
Geocaching kept us active. Sometimes the treasure hunts were as simple as taking a leisurely stroll, other times they were physically demanding, depending on the types of terrain to get to the geocache location. We hiked up mountains, down into valleys, climbed trees, and rappelled from abandoned bridges and old castle remains. Most geocaching rounds can be done by runners and cyclists as well as walkers.
3. IT SHOWED US SIGHTS WE WOULD NOT HAVE OTHERWISE SEEN
I had heard about the “dancing buildings” in Prague but couldn’t find them the first time I went. Thanks to geocaching, I found them the second time I visited. We also saw old Nazi bunkers in the woods and WWII tank obstacles. The “dragon’s teeth,” as they’re sometimes called, were just inside the tree line off the road near our house. Unless you knew they were there, you never would have noticed them.
4. IT FURTHERED OUR EDUCATION
Our map reading, navigational, and problem-solving skills were all vastly improved. We visited popular historical sites such as Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, and lesser known sites like the Maginot and Siegfried Lines. We also learned about geological anomalies as well as rock formations, thanks to EarthCaches (one of the types of geocaches). The possibilities were endless.
5. IT BROUGHT US TOGETHER
Geocaching is a family-friendly game no matter the size or make-up of your tribe.
Geocaching is a family-friendly game no matter the size or make-up of your tribe. Geocache owners mark attributes that apply to their geocache, so you can filter for stroller, child, or wheelchair friendly geocaches. Geocaches that are labeled child friendly are often larger containers with swag in them for kids to trade. The excitement and squeals of delight we experienced when a child found a container was heartwarming.
6. IT DREW US INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
CITO is pronounced “see-toe,” and stands for Cache In, Trash Out. These are events where geocachers gather together to clean up trash in the area and the event counts as a geocache find. We participated in several of them and the locals always made us feel like part of the community. We made new friends while cleaning up the Earth and enjoy these friendships to this day.
Our local German/American geocaching group met regularly to find geocaches together. The locals were always happy to help with the language barrier. It was always fun to swap stories with German nationals and fellow Americans at meet-ups.
7. IT GAVE US MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME
Some of our best memories come from the times we got caught in the rain in the middle of the woods and had to trudge through the mud to our vehicles. Or the time our dog went with us and she found wild pig poop to roll around in. We had to ride home with the windows down. Did I mention it was January and literally freezing? You haven’t lived until you’ve stood in the forest for thirty minutes listening to a group of Germans debate the meaning of words from their own language while trying to decipher clues to the next stage of a multi-stage geocache. Trust me, we have stories for days, thanks to geocaching.
Geocaching is a great activity you can do almost anywhere in the world, and the app is free if you use a smartphone. Download the app and start your adventure today. See you on the trail!
ABOUT EVA
Eva Miller
Eva Miller is an Army brat who became an Air Force wife. After homeschooling her children, and serving as a mentor to domestic violence survivors, she is working on her certification as a life coach and speaker through the John Maxwell Team. She and her husband live in middle Georgia with their rescue dog, Phoenix. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
