How to Create and Hide Your Own Geocache

Geocaching is a terrific family pastime. With a computer and a GPS (global positioning system) unit, your whole family can soon be out finding geocaches. After finding a few geocaches, you'll likely want to start hiding your own. This article explains how easy it is to create and hide your own geocache for others to find.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ammo can
• Pencil
• Notebook
• Small toys
• A good hiding spot!

1. Create an online account at Geocaching.com and find at least 10-15 geocaches so you will familiar with a variety of hiding techniques and levels of difficulty.

2. 
    
   Typical geocache contents

   Find a suitable, waterproof container large enough to hold a pencil, logbook (for geocachers to sign) and a few small toys. An old Army ammo can works great for geocaches.

3. 
    
   Ammo can geocache

   Name your geocache and go searching for a great hiding place (refer to the Listing Guidelines under "Resources" for what hiding spots are allowed).

4. 
    
   Logs are great geocache hiding spots!

   Look for a natural hiding area, like a hollow log.

5. 
    
   Now you see it. Now you don't!

   Make use of any nearby natural camouflage.

6. Use your GPS to "Mark" the coordinates where you hid your geocache.

7. Log into your geocaching.com account and click "Hide and Seek a Cache" from the home page. On the right side of the "Hide and Seek" page there is a link to an "online form" for reporting new geocaches. Fill out the form and click the "Report New Listing" button when you are finished. Your geocache will be reviewed and published in about three days.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your first few geocaches easy to get to and maintain.
• Geocaches are usually not hidden closer than 528 feet from each other.
• Do not hide anything that has a strong odor or is perishable (food, perfume, "scratch 'n sniff" stickers, etc.).
• Do not hide your geocache in an environmentally-sensitive area that is easily destroyed by foot traffic.
• Geocaching.com does not allow anyone to dig a hole to hide or find a geocache.

Resources

• Geocaching.com's Listing Guidelines
• Leave No Trace
• GPS Magazine
• Today's Cacher

[turtledove]

on 5/5/2009 My daughter did this with her girl scout troop. You gave me an idea: I think we'll do it on our next family camping trip! 5*

[Shiromi]

on 4/14/2009 Great article. I love geocaching! Haven't yet created a cache for myself yet though.

[chryssy67]

on 2/12/2009 Never heard of it... so it's like a scouting game? sounds interesting especially for the outdoorsy types!

[kristinam]

on 1/27/2009 Interesting! I've never heard of this but I went to the website and I think my family is going to start doing this!

[kskaggs]

on 1/22/2009 This is something that my sister and I have always wanted to do. It sounds like somuch fun!