Geocaching

Geocaching is a fairly new outdoor activity that pairs GPS technology with an old fashioned treasure hunt.  Geocaches, or caches, are small containers that usually have small trinkets to trade and a log book to sign when it is found.  Once a cache is hidden the longitude and latitude are then posted on the internet for other people to try and find it.  Geocaches have been hidden all over the world and quite a few are in our parks.

All you need to enjoy this family friendly activity is a GPS unit and a sense of adventure.  If you are interested, but don’t know if you want to spring for a GPS unit, we have a limited number at the Nature Center that can be checked out free of charge.  We will give you a quick “how to” session and you’re on your way to finding one of many caches located in Veterans Acres.

Download the Groundspeak Geocaching Brochure (Adobe PDF)

On December 5th, 2009 we will kick off our Find Treasure in Parks Passport Program.  There are twelve participating geocaches hidden throughout our parks.  In each one is a unique sticker or stamp to collect in a your personal passport.  Once you have collected at least eight, return the passport and you will receive a reward.  The first one hundred teams to complete this challenge will receive a geocoin featuring Main Beach that can be tracked at www.geocaching.com.

All you have to do to participate is create an account at www.geocaching.com, pick up a passport at the Nature Center, and head on out to find at least eight of the geocaches listed below.

GC1GKB8 – Trees

GC1DGMF – Iron Giant

GC1VD48 – Seminary Park *

GC1DRHB – Colonel Palmer

GCHQYO – Westward Bound

GC1VD4K – Burrito Incognito

GCW34G – The Funky Munkey

GC1VD4V – Uses of Cottonwood *

GC1VD53 – The Oaks of McHenry County *

GC1RXCR – Taxonomy 101:  A Congregation of Animals *

GC1VD57 – Prince Feinberg’s Secret Treasure *

GC1VD3T - What is a Watershed? *

* These caches are new and will not be published until the afternoon of December 5, 2009.