WATCH // EXPLORE // CRAVE
On The Hunt
With just your phone and a sense of adventure, you can set out to find hidden treasures throughout Marion County and beyond. // B Y K A R I N F A B R Y- C U S H E N B E R Y
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Photos courtesy of Groundspeak Inc.
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eocaching became popular in the United States in 2000 after the government descrambled GPS signals, making them far more accurate. “A man named Dave Ulmer in Oregon wanted to test that accuracy,” says Chris Ronan, senior public relations manager with Geocaching HQ. “He hid a container, marked the coordinates and put the information online, challenging anyone to find it. Three days later, someone did! That’s the start of geocaching,” Today there are just over 1 million active geocaches hidden in America, and 40,000 of those are in Florida. In 2019 Florida logged more than half a million “found it” posts. An Internet search will provide the coordinates to current geocaches (2,044 to be exact!) hidden right here in and around Ocala. The Ocala National Forest and parks are also very popular hiding places. “Geocaches are everywhere, from city parks and other urban locations to hiking trails, mountains and more remote destinations,” says Chris. “One of the best things about the game is each player can choose their own adventure in whatever terrain is ideal for them.” To begin the quest, download the free
Geocaching app. The app includes an interactive map showing nearby geocaches, plus hints, tips and instructions for finding them. Geocaches may contain a variety of little trinkets and collectibles, think small figures, toy cars and balls. When you find a geocache, you can take the treasure inside and then leave one of your own for the next person to find. “Geocachers trade for items valued more than the item they’re taking, making sure the geocache will often contain some interesting items when someone finds it,” says Chris. “This is especially true for kids, who will choose toys to bring along geocaching, in the hopes they’re able to trade for other small toys in the geocache.”
And with the weather just about perfect for being outdoors, now is the ideal time to try out this high-tech treasure hunt. Chris agrees. “Geocaching is a rare combination of real world, just-outside-your-front-door tangible adventure and a digital app,” he says. “You’re outside and also engaging with people connecting through the Geocaching app around the world. Geocaching offers a way to take what you enjoy, hiking, exploring, camping, photography and add a new level of interest, which directs people to uncover hidden stories and locations. And there’s also a saying in our community that’s proven true time and time again, ‘Geocachers are the nicest people.’” Geocaching // For more information on how to get started in geocaching, visit geocaching.com.