Geocaching Teaches Vital Survival Skills

Looking for a fun, practical skill for the whole family to enjoy?  Spend some time online learning about geocaching.  Who could resist the combination of a real treasure hunt with high-tech gadgets?  Your family will learn about longitude and latitude coordinates, map reading skills, the use of a compass, and much more as you track down these hidden containers.

To find geocaches in your area, create a free account at Geocaching.com and plug in your zip code.  You’ll be amazed at how many of these “treasure boxes” are within easy driving distance.  Decide which geocache you’ll track down.  Then grab the kids and a GPS unit, and head out for some educational fun.  Family outings that combine fresh air, nature, and education are the best!

A GPS unit doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.  If you can’t borrow one from a friend, check out my friends, Craigslist, eBay, and Freecycle!  Techies are always upgrading to something bigger and better.  Since you only need a basic unit, you have a good chance of getting a real bargain. 

By the way, while you’re out and about, take along a field guide to identify local flora and fauna, and maybe even a guidebook for locating medicinal and edible plants. 

To get you started, check out these links.

Geocaching Kids

Geocaching.Com

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