How Geocaching Works
A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver is typically used to receive signals from satellites orbiting above the earth. The receiver provides accurate positioning, timing, and navigation services to the user. But aside from its practical use, a GPS receiver can also be used to provide games. One the most popular GPs games in the world is geocaching.
Geocaching is a of high-tech treasure hunting game. A waterproof container, usually a plastic or metal box, called a "geocache", is hidden by a GPS user known as a geocacher anywhere in the world. The geocacher hides the cache wherever he likes-his backyard, the woods behind his property, or even on top of a nearby mountain. The cache contains a logbook, a pen, and sometimes, an item. He uses his GPS receiver to record the coordinates. The coordinates are posted on a geocaching listing site that can be accessed worldwide by other GPS users.
These users will then use their GPS receivers to seek out the cache. Upon finding the cache, the finder writes his name on the logbook, takes the "treasure", and replaces the item with something of similar or higher value. Usually, small toys, ornaments, a small book, or some other trinket can be placed inside the cache. Some place "hitchhikers," which are pocket-sized items that are transferred from one cache to another. Needless to say, placing weapons, illegal items, drugs, foodstuff, pornographic material, and the like are not allowed in most geocache listing sites. Finally, the finder writes his exploits on the listing site.
As of April 2010, there are over 1,031,429 geocaches all over the world! Now that is a whole lot of treasure chests for high-tech treasure seekers to hunt down!