Geocaching adds twist to treasure hunts

The Appeal-Democrat newspaper of Marysville-Yuba City, California describes geocaching as:

a relatively new pastime that combines the mental rigor of a riddle with the delight and obstacles of a treasure hunt.

Using a satellite-positioning device, and latitude-longitude coordinates culled from special Web sites that guide them toward bounties, players search for hidden “geocaches” that often include small trinkets, a log and a disposable camera to record their find. Cachers leave the camera and their own small presents, posting some finds on the Web.

And gives it a plug:

Educators and parents like geocaching because it gets kids off the couch and away from the television set and another hand-held device - the Game Boy.

“I think this shows kids the connection between technology and real life,” says Kimberly Coldicott, a 4-H coordinator who is trying to recruit children for a local club. Chapters in Washington state, Oregon, and Missouri are already teaching kids how to geocache.

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