There really is no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to explaining what geocaching is as Wikipedia has an exellent article covering all the in’s and out’s including the History, which you can check out here. How we describe it, in summary, to those who ask what it is that we are now addicted to is quite simply this:

“it’s like orienteering, but with a GPS”

Wordweb.info defines geocaching as:

“Noun: geocaching
1. A form of treasure hunt using the Global Positioning System to locate the cache”

Muggle Cards go one step further and are really useful if someone approaches you to find out what you’re doing or why you are fossicking around in the bush

They state:

Geocaching is a worldwide game love by Global Positioning System (GPS) users. The game basically involves a GPS user hiding a “treasure” (a container containing a log book and often small items to trade) and publishing the exact co-ordinates on the internet so other GPS users can come on a “treasure hunt” to find it. The only rules are:
- if you take something, leave something
- record your visit in the log book
- then please hide the container as you found it.
Geocaching is open to everyone who loves adventure!
There are Geocaches all over the world!
For more information visit: www.geocaching.com

Geocaching.com is of course the ultimate resource providing extensive articles and links at Getting Started with Geocaching and Hide and Seek a Cache but for those of us who are after a bit of kiwi information there is always the New Zealand Recreational GPS Society at gps.org.nz.

gps.org.nz has nice compact article “How did geocaching start?” and details of the first cache placed in New Zealand which is well worth a quick read, as are their other articles, and swinging by their wiki is a must do. For a bit of kiwi cacher contact Geocaching.com has an extremely active forum with a category dedicated to New Zealand but it seems that most of the NZ geocachers actually hang out at the gps.org.nz forums which is another great reason to stop by there

Our cousins across the ditch (Australia) have an extensive geocaching site at http://geocaching.com.au, they also have an awesome wiki where you can get loads of caching and cacher related information, including details about to how grab your own “swaggie” (free trackable) and what to do if you find one.

The Geocachers Creed is also an essential part of geocaching, it states:

Safe • Legal • Ethical

When placing or seeking geocaches, I will:
1. Not endanger myself or others (examples)
2. Observe all laws & rules of the area (examples)
3. Respect property rights and seek permission where appropriate (examples)
4. Avoid causing disruptions or public alarm (examples)
5. Minimize my and others’ impact on the environment (examples)
6. Be considerate of others (examples)
7. Protect the integrity of the game pieces (examples)

which is further explained at http://www.geocreed.info. While you are there check out the Resources section which has downloads of the creed, Geocaching Policy information (http://www.geocachingpolicy.org) and other handouts.

Speaking of downloads and printables, Geoachers Univerisity has an extensive resource section offering printables for Vehicle Placards,
Stash Notes, Emergency Logbooks, Cache Logs, Cache and CITO Labels and more, you can easily spend a few hours at GU poking around that section let alone all the other information, articles and help on offer. Don’t forget to check out their printable version of the famous “Let’s Go Geocaching!” Brochure which was converted into a NZ friendly version for kiwis by GSVNoFixedAbode and is well worth having a copy of

And finally, speaking of great resources, if you have no clue what TFTC, TNLN, DNF, CITO, GZ, GPX, Muggled, Travel Bug hotel etc mean, then pop over to http://geolex.locusprime.net and browse through the “The Lexicon of Geocaching” or have a look another wiki Cacheopedia which also has an extensive section on Geocaching / Caching terms and references.

If you’re looking for more information about the Geocaching equipment or the software then we have a couple of articles that may be of interest to you GPS (what we use) and GPS & Geocaching software, CacheMate for PPC and TrackyPro for PPC.

As always, if you need to get in touch you can grab us at geocaching.com: WackyB or use our blog contact form.

Happy Caching